will not assume their natural level. They have varied so little since our last, as to render the table of fluctuations, usually appended, unnecessary the present month. By the end of next month the dividends will have ruled the rates for a time, when the changes that may be occasioned by the half-yearly meetings will become apparent. INSURANCE COMPANIES, BANKS, &c. THERE have been several meetings of insurance companies since our last notice. In July, the Mutual Life Assurance Company held i its half-yearly meeting, in the London Tavern--Mr. W. C. Harnett in the chair. The business was for the re-election of four directors, who go out by rotation; and for the election of one director in the place of Sir Charles Douglas, who had resigned; and also for the election of an auditor. Mr. Hardy, the actuary, read a statement of the receipts and disbursements to the 30th of June last. The receipts, it appeared, amounted to £24,177 8s. 2d., of which £1,464 5s. 2d. had been received as premiums upon eighty! new assurances, and £12,603 14. 10d. for premiums upon other assurances. On the other side the account was balanced, leaving £2,853 6s. 3d. to the credit of the society, by the ordinary disbursements and other charges, among which were £6,550, the amount paid upon nine policies by death, £1,585 additions thereto, and £535 for policies surrendered. In the report submitted, the directors said they were happy to have it in their power to report that the progress of the society during the past half-year | has been satisfactory; and they doubt not that, when it becomes generally known that all differences of opinion in the society have been settled, it will become still more apparent. The report was unanimously adopted. Four directors were then reelected, viz:-Sir Andrew Green, Mr. Burchell, Mr. Godson, M.P., and Mr. Clayton; and Mr. Coles was elected to the vacaney occasioned by the resignation of Sir Charles Douglas, M.P.; and Mr. Hooper was elected one of the auditors. year, which would have created claims to the amount of £13,000 Value of premiums Mortgages £176,800 13 8 16,600 0 0 63,400 14 8 22,178 17 5 8,220 0 0 1,142 15 4 430 15 0 4,478 18 11 £298,452 150 £188,146 10 11 32,885 16 4 29,323 0 10 11,487 12 8 13,400 0 0 10,768 14.0 4,276 17 10 0,656 8 9 738 9 0 769 6.8 4298,452 15 0 The report was unanimously adopted. The Reliance Assurance Company.The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this company was held in London on the 31st ult. Mr. T. H. Prinsep in the chair. The report stated that the six months had passed without a single casualty, although, npon the ordinary calculation of risk, claims might have been anticis pated in the half-year exceeding £1,200; a зum in excess of which, Legal and Commercial Insurance Company.-A meeting of the shareholders of this company was recently held, at which the following statement of its affairs was submitted:-Up to the 31st of December, 1848, and extending over a period of three years, the receipts (exclusive of subscribed capital, £13,817, and a loan of £4,000) were as follow:-Life premiums, £8,685 16s. 5d. ; for purchase of annuities, £573 5s.; interest, £1,422 18s. 7d.; and guarantee fund, £385 15s. Sd.; making a total of £11,067 15s. 8d. That the disbursements were (exclusive of advances outstanding on loans, £15,158 16s.) For preliminary purposes, £3,273 3s. 3d.; management, £5,552 3s. 5d.; claims, £2,249; interest paid and due, £270 13s.; due for salaries, &c., £380 Os. 1d.;|| annuities paid, £41 5s.; making a total of £11,766 6s. 9d., and showing a sum of £698 11s 1d. to the loss of the society; to this is to be added £122 178., the difference between the loan and capital advanced, and the investments and cash balance. Caledonian Insurance Company.-The ordinary annual meeting|| however, still remains unappropriated out of the fund reserved of the proprietors of this company was held in Edinburgh in the course of July-Mr. John Morton in the chair. The manager having read a report on the state of the business during the past year, the chairman congratulated the meeting on the increase of the company's business in both departments, notwithstanding the commercial convulsions which had so much depressed the trade of the country generally. He particularly noticed with satisfaction the increase in the life department, as an evidence of an esteem in which the proprietary companies, when carefully conducted, and under liberal management, were held; and, alluding to the septonnial investigation, which takes place next year, expressed his confident hope of a satisfactory result having been approved of, a dividend of ten per cent., free of income-tax, from the profits of the fire department, was declared payable on the first of August next. The report for adverse fluctuation of life, at the first division of profits. "The premium receipts for the period under review amount to £3,985, of which the new business contributes £1,046 in respect of sixty-three policies effected since the commencement of the year. In the same period nineteen proposals for sums amounting in the aggregate to £16,400 have been declined, or not proceeded with on the terms required by the society.. "The general assurance fund of the Reliance stood, on the 30th of June at £25,800, of which amount £16,000 is invested at five per cent., besides what the society holds in Consols, ig is banking balances and usual office outlays. Alfred Life Assurance Association. The annual meeting of this company was held in London on August 1st-Sir D. Scott, Bart., in the chair. From the report, it appears that the income of the association for the year is £22,923 4s. 2d., while the expenses remain nearly stationary, those immediately connected with the office being somewhat less than they were the previous "Whilst, however, pressing this important consideration upon year. The premiums on the policies effected since the last re- the notice of all parties interested in the welfare of the s port amount to £2,029 2s. 9d; the claims to £7,043 11s. 10d., ||ciety, it is a subject of no slight gratification to your directors to which sum includes £102 7s. 10d. by way of bonus to the sums be enabled to show at so early a period of the society's establishassured. The claims are still extremely moderate; they result|ment, and after the liberal bonus allocated at the first division of from the decease of seven of the lives assured, whereas, eleven or profits, a balance of improved premium receipts over expendi twelve deaths might reasonably have been expected during the ture for the last half-year, amounting to £2,829," The average age of parties assured with this society is now forty years upon whole-life policies, and forty-five years upon oolicies for limited periods. Under the supposition that all the assured were to take out new policies from the first of July, the difference of premiums from increased age, according to the office tables, would be considerably less than the amount of interests now yielded by the invested funds of the society. This test affords clear evidence of a prosperous condition. The report was unanimously adopted by the meeting. Catholic, Law, and General Life Assurance Company-On July 26th, the annual meeting of this company was held in London-Bishop Morris in the chair. The report submitted was very favourable. Not a policy had elapsed during the year, and there had been no falling-off in assurers. The directors had recently extended the business to the contineat, and had made arrangements for assuring diseased lives. Railway Passengers' Assurance Society.—The new system of life assurance, in the event of railway accident, is now in operation on the London and North-Western, and Lancashire and Yorkshire, Lancaster and Carlisle, the Caledonian, North British, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Chester and Holyhead, Eastern Counties, Cockermouth and Workington, and the Stockton and Hartlepool Railways. The assurance tickets for the single journey are obtained at the same time that the passenger pays his fare. The first-class, paying 3d., insures £1,000; the second-class, paying 2d., £300; and the third-class passenger, paying 1d., £200. These constitute all the material information which is available at the time we write. OBITUARY NOTICES FOR AUGUST. MEHEMET ALI. 1 orders of Khoorshid Pasha, for some reason or other, took no At Alexandria, on the 2d August, his Highness Mehemet Ali, active part. For this, the Turkish General, irritated at his dePasha of Egypt, in the 80th year of his age. On the day follow-feat, complained to Khosrew, the then Viceroy of Egypt. The ing that of his death, his body was taken to Cairo, where, on the 4th, it was interred in the new alabaster mosque built by himself. The concourse of people at his funeral was immense, and the ceremony was attended by all the European Consuls, as well as by many of the European residents. This extraordinary man was born in the town of Cavalla, in Roumelia, the ancient Macedonia. He used to boast that his birth took place in 1769, the same year that the Emperor Napoleon, and the Duke of Wellington, first saw the light. He commenced life in the humble capacity of a tobacconist in his native town; and he raised himself entirely by his own talents and energy to the sta tion which he eventually occupied, of chief ruler of Egypt. Having volunteered into the army, he soon obtained high favour with the Governor of Cavalla, by his efficient assistance in quelling a rebellion, and dispersing a band of pirates. On the death of his commanding officer, he was appointed to succeed him, and married his widow. In 1799 he was appointed by the Governor of Cavalla second in command of the contingent of 300 men, furnished by that town to the Turkish army, ordered by the Sultan against the French, to expel these foreign invaders from Egypt. Shortly after landing at Aboukir, the son of the Governor, who was at the head of the Cavalla force, returned to Roumelia, and left Mehemet Ali in command. In all the engagements with the French, the future ruler of Egypt distinguished himself by his conduct and valour. · latter summoned Mehemet Ali to his presence; but he refused to attend, and took advantage of an insurrection, which opportunely occurred among the Albanian troops, to join the Mamelukes, under Osman Bardissy. In 1803, he attacked Khosrew at Da. mietta, and carried him prisoner to Cairo. The Sultan then sent Ali Gezairli Pasha to Egypt, as successor to Khosrew Pasha; but soon after his arrival he was put to death by the Mamelukes. In 1804, the Mameluke army, under Osman Bardissy, became clamorous for its arrears of pay, and an insurrection ensued, which was clandestinely fostered by Mehemet Ali, who had gained a strong ascendancy over the minds of the troops, and was playing that deep and politic part which ultimately raised him to the Pashalic of Egypt. The Bey's house was attacked by the infuriated soldiers, and he himself forced to escape from Cairo. But not thinking his time yet come, Mehemet Ali sent Khosrew Pasha, his prisoner, to Constantinople, where he subsequently was several times Prime Minister of the Sublime Porte, and appointed Khoorshid Pasha, then Governor of Alexandria, Viceroy of Egypt. On his deposition, after a new insurrection, caused by the non-payment of the arrears, the inhabitants of Cairo addressed themselves to Mehemet Ali, now all-powerful with the soldiery, and made him their Viceroy. Mehemet Ali secured his position by satisfying the demands of the army, which he was enabled to do by levying contributions on the inhabitants of Cairo, who cheerfully paid them, to avoid farther disturbances. He was installed in the Pashalic of Egypt, then called the Pashalic of Cairo, in 1806, on condition that he should send to the Sultan 4,000 purses, equal to about £24,000 sterling. His Pashalic extended only to Middle Egypt and the Delta; Upper Egypt being divided into several districts, administered by the Mameluke Beys; and Alexandria, with a part of the Western Province, being governed by a Pasha independent of the Pasha of Cairo. A few months after his installation, the Sultan consented to give him also the Pashalie of Alexandria, as a reward for the services he had rendered the Ottoman Empire in 1807, on the occasion of the evacuation of Lower Egypt, and the city of Alexandria, its capital, by the English. After the evacuation of Egypt by the French, in 1801, Mohammed Khosrew was appointed by the Sultan, Viceroy of Egypt. At that time the Mamelukes were actively engaged in endeavouring to recover their ascendancy, which had been overthrown by the French. Previous to the French invasion-indeed, from the middle of the last century--the number and wealth of the Mamelukes gave them such a superiority over the Turks in Egypt, that the Turkish Pasha, appointed by the Sultan, was obliged to conform entirely to their wishes. The Mamelukes, who were found|| in all parts of Egypt, were estimated at 12,000 men. They recruited their numbers chiefly by slaves brought to Cairo from the regions lying between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. These slaves were compelled to become Mohamedans, and were all trained as soldiers. After a time they obtained a share in the Government, and some of them even became beys of pro-midable chiefs were invited in a body to the citadel at Cairo, to vinces; for none but Mamelukes were capable of holding this office. They formed a fine body of cavalry, and, under their beys, especially Murad Bey, they attacked, with the greatest fury, the French when they landed in Egypt under Bonaparte. Their mode of fighting was peculiar, and against Turkish troops was frequently successful; but with the French they had a different I foe to contend with. Unable to withstand the European artillery, they were forced to yield, when many of them joined the French army. After the expulsion of the French from Egypt, the two principal Mameluke beys, Osman Bardissy, and Mohammed Elfoy, defeated the Turkish army in a pitched battle. In this affair, Mehemet Ali, who, with his troop of Albanians, was under the One of the most memorable events of his early rule in Egypt was the destruction of his old allies, the Mamelukes, which took place on the 1st of March, 1811. On that day, these for attend at the investiture of the Viceroy's son, Tousson, as chief of an expedition which had been ordered by the Porte against the Wahabees. When the ceremony was over, the Mamelukes mounted their horses; but on reaching the citadel gates they found them closed, and a sudden discharge of musketry from soldiers placed on the walls completely annihilated them. In the provinces, a great many of their number were put to death at the same time. It has been computed that 470, with their chief, Ibrahim Bey, perished in the citadel; and in the city, and throughout the country, no less than 1,200 were killed. The power of the Mamelukes, a brave and restless body, who had kept Egypt in a state of anarchy and warfare ever since the year 1382, was thus finally and effectually put an end to. The events of the war in Syria have been related in the me to. That war rose out of a demand which Mehemet Ali made to Abdallah Pasha, then Governor of Acre, for the restitution of 6000 Egyptians, who had emigrated into Syria. This being refused, on the 2d Nov., 1831, he sent into Syria a powerful army under Ibrahim Pasha, who, in a few months, reduced the whole country to submission. A Turkish army was sent against Ibrahim, who defeated them on several occasions; and on the 14th of May, 1833, Syria was ceded by the Sultan to Mehemet Ali, in conjunction with the Pashalic of Egypt. Soon after this massacre, the Wahabees formed a junction with the relics of the Mamelukes who had fled to Upper Egypt. Me-moir of Ibrahim Pasha, in last February number, already referred hemet Ali now prosecuted, with indefatigable energy, his prepara. tions for the destruction of the Wahabees. This fanatical sect of Mohammedans had conquered the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and even Jidda, marking their path by bloodshed and pillage. They plundered the caravans of pilgrims going to the holy sepulchre, and got possession of the Mahmel, the splendid box in which the Sultan sends every year the presents destined for the tomb of Mahomet. Mehemet Ali soon made himself master of Upper Egypt; and having obtained from the Sultan the government of that part of the country, he considerably increased the land-tax, and the duties of customs on the internal trade. In the Autumn of 1811, he sent his army into Arabia against the Wahabees. His troops conquered Yambo and Nahala; and, as the fruits of three victories, he sent three sacks of Wahabees' ears to Constantinople. The Wahabee war lasted six years. The holy cities, Mecca and Medina were soon recovered; and the solemn delivery of the keys of the regained cities of the faith was celebrated with great rejoicings at Constantinople. This formidable sect was, as yet, however, far from being suppressed. Mehemet Ali, therefore, renewed his preparations; but he lost a fortified place called Kumsidal, containing great stores of arms and ammunition, which the Wahabees took by surprise. Resolved to put down, at any hazard, these ferocious and daring enemies, Mehemet Ali, in 1813, himself went for a time to the Hedjaz, to give new vigour to the measures adopted for their entire overthrow. After the death of their sovereign, Schnd II., in 1814, when quarrels and divisions arose among them, on the subject of the succession, they sustained several defeats. In the beginning of 1815, a decisive victory was obtained by Mehemet Ali, at Bassila, not far from the City of Tarabe. Ibrahim, the son of the Pasha, finally succeeded, in 1818, in inflicting a total defeat on the Wahabees. The final overthrow and dispersion of this rebellious sect are detailed in the obituary memoir of Ibrahim Pasha, inserted in the last February number of Tait; these events having been principally effected by his severity. Convinced of the great advantages of discipline and military tactics, in the art of war, Mehemet Ali, in 1815, resolved upon having his army properly drilled. His troops, however, would not submit to such an innovation on their old customs, and threatened an insurrection. Seeing their spirit, he judiciously ordered the most mutinous of his troops on an expedition into Nubia, under his third son, Ismael Pasha, to extend his authority there. Ismael, in 1820, penetrated from Syene to Dongola, on the left bank of the Nile, defeated the residue of the Mamelukes, and reduced Dongola to a province of Egypt. He also conquered the provinces of Berber, Shendy, Sennaar, and Cordofan. In the meantime, anxious to promote the trade and industry of Egypt, Mehemet Ali completed the new canal of Alexandria, called by him, in honour of the Sultan, Mahmudie Canal. This vast undertaking was commenced on the 8th of January 1819, under the superintendence of six European engineers, with about 100,000 labourers; and their number, though more than 7,000 men died of contagious diseases, was gradually increased to 290,000, each of whom received about tenpence a-day. The canal was completed on the 13th of September. It extends from below Saone, on the Nile, to Pompey's Pillar, and is 47 miles long, 90 feet wide, and 18 feet deep. Within a short time, he established a line of telegraphs, a printing-press at Boulac, near Cairo, a military school, and a higher institution for education, principally to form dragomans, or interpreters, and other public officials. The teachers consisted of French and Italian officers. In 1839, the Sultan made another attempt to recover Syria, but his troops, under Hafiz Pasha, having been defeated at Nizib, on the 24th of June of that year, the European powers interfered. The Syrian war was not put an end to until the Egyptian army was totally defeated at Beyront, in October, 1840, and the bom bardment and taking of Acre, in which Admiral Sir Charles Napier distinguished himself, and the blockading of Alexandria by a British squadron. It was during the period that the British were attacking his troops in Syria, and blockading Alexandria, that Mehemet Ali behaved himself so magnanimously towards England by allowing the India mails to proceed as usual through Egypt unmolested. Mehemet Ali at length consented to give up Syria, on the hereditary Pashalic of Egypt in his own family being acceded to him. The following are the conditions of the firman sent from Constantinople by the Sultan, dated February, 1813, and accepted, with some modifications, by Mehemet Ali, on the 10th of June, 1841, by which the hereditary Pashalic of Egypt was granted to the latter: 1. The succession to the government of Egypt, within its ancient boundaries, to descend in a direct line in Mehemet Ali's male posterity, from the elder to the elder, among the sous and grandsons-the nomination to be made by the Sublime Porte. 2. The Pasha of Egypt to rank as a Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, without having, in this character-with the exception of hereditary right-any other prerogative than those enjoyed by other Viziers. 3. All treaties entered into between the Sublime Porte and the European Powers are to apply to Egypt as well as to any other part of the Ottoman Empire. 4. The Pasha has authority to coin his own money in Egypt; but the coins are to bear the name of the Sultan. 5. The standing army of Egypt is to be composed of 18,000 men; and 400 men are to be sent yearly to Constantinople. 6. The Viceroy of Egypt has the right to appoint officers of the land and sea forces up to the rank of colonel, and below that of general of brigade; but a general of brigade being a Pasha, the Porte alone can name Pashas. 7. The Viceroy of Egypt cannot build vessels of war without authority from the Sublime Porte. 8. The yearly tribute payable by the Pasha of Egypt to the Sublime Porte, fixed at 2,000,000 dollars, has since been reduced to a million and a third of Spanish pillared dollars-about £270,000 sterling. 9. The hereditary title is liable to revocation, should any of Mehemet Ali's successors infringe any of the aforesaid conditions. The Sublime Porte also granted to Mehemet Ali, without the hereditary succession, the government of the provinces of Nubia, Darfour, Sennaar, and Cordofan, and all the territories annexed thereto, situate out of Egypt. Having raised a new army, he had them drilled by Italians or Although Mehemet Ali had thus secured himself in the rule Frenchmen, who were well acquainted with the European sys- of such a country as Egypt, he never forgot the spirit of comtem. He then offered the Sultan to assist in quelling the in- merce with which he started on his early career. He was the surrection in Greece; and on the 16th of July, 1824, the Egyptian greatest merchant of his country, and none other could deal with fleet, consisting of 163 vessels, with 18,000 men on board, under foreign nations without his permission. His income, estimated the command of Ibrahim Pasha, sailed for the Morea. For at between six and seven million pounds, arose from poll and three years Ibraham kept the country in subjection, but was ob- land taxes; customs of the ports of Cairo, Suez, Damietta, Alexliged to retire from it after the battle of Navarino, on the 20th ||andria, &c.; branches of revenue farmed out, including various of October, 1827. Two years before, when the Morea was con- fisheries; from the mint; from the sale of the cotton, indigo, quered by his troops, Mehemet Ali caused all the Christian popu-silk, sugar, rice, saffron, wool, ivory, frankincense, &c., which be lation to be transplanted to the countries on the Nile. He took monopolised, purchasing them at a very low rate from his suball Franks under his immediate protection, and permitted nojects, and selling them again at a high price. He was very abuse of the Greeks, In 1820, he sent several young Egyptians partial to Europeans; and under his government, all the Euroto France, to receive a European education. In 1830 the Sultan pean travellers to those sepulchres and monuments of departed conferred on Mehemet Ali the administration of the Island of civilization with which Egypt abounds, found protection and Candia. support. From a comprehensive biographical sketch of Mehemet Ali, which appeared in the Times, and to which we have been indebted for some of these details, we extract the following concluding paragraphs: "Until last year, Mehemet Ali enjoyed a very strong constitution; his stature was short, and his features formed an agreeable and animated physiognomy, with a searching look, expressive of cunning, nobleness, and amiability. He always stood very upright; and it was remarkable, from its being uuusual among Turks, that he was in the habit of walking up and down in his apartments. He was most simple in his dress, and cleanly in his person. He received strong impressions easily, was very frank and open, and could not easily conceal his mind. He loved his children with great tenderness, and lived in the interior of his family with great simplicity and freedom from restraint. He was very fond of playing at billiards, chess, draughts, and cards. In his latter years he became very merciful and humane, and generally forgave the greatest faults. Mehemet Ali cherished fame, and thought a great deal not only of the opinions entertained of him during his lifetime, but also of the reputation he would leave at his death. The European papers were regularly translated to him, and he was affected by any attacks directed against him. His activity was very great. He slept little in the night, and invariably rose before sunrise. He received daily the reports of his ministers, dictated answers, and frequently visited any improvements or changes going on in the public works. He learned to read only at the age of 45. He principally studied history, and was particularly interested with the lives of Napoleon and Alexander the Great. "The only language he spoke was Turkish: he understood Arabic, but did not like to speak it. The late Viceroy did not observe the tenets of the Mahomedan religion with any rigour, and never cared about fasting in the month of Ramazan. He showed the greatest toleration for all religions; and for this, considering the strong innate bigotry which prevails among Turks, he deserves the greatest praise. He was the first Mahomedan ruler who granted real protection to Christians, raised them to the highest ranks, and made some of them his most intimate friends. His freedom from superstition was as remarkable as his toleration in religion, and in many instances he shook off the yoke of those absurd prejudices to which all those of his faith humbly bow their heads. His harem conisted of four wives, and about sixty of the most beautiful Georgian and Circassian slaves. His favourite wife--the mother of Ibrahim Pasha-died last year; the remaining three survive. Mehemet Ali had by his wives and concubines sixteen children. Of these, only five, three sons and two daughters, are now living, viz.:-Said Pasha, Admiral of the Egyptian fleet, born in 1818; Halem Bey, born in 1826; Mehemet Ali Bey, born in 1833; Nazleh Hanum, born in 1797, widow of the Defterdar Mohammed Bey; Zeinab Hanum, born in 1824, and married in 1845 to Kamil Pasha. Halem Bey was four years in Paris, where he received a liberal education. "Mehemet Ali's second son, after the late Ibrahim Pasha, was Tousson Pasha, born at Cavalla, who left an only son, Abbas Pasha, born in 1813, at present Viceroy of Egypt. Tousson Pasha died of the plague at the camp of Damanhour, in 1816. "Mehemet Ali had also at Cavalla, by the same wife, a third Ismael Pasha, who died in the war in Sennaar. Another son of Mehemet Ali, Houssein Bey, born in 1825, died in 1847 at Paris, where he had been sent for his education. Mehemet Ali had twelve brothers and two sisters, all of whom are dead. son, SIR THOMAS READE. Lately, at Tunis, Sir THOMAS READE, C.B., British ConsulGeneral there. He was originally in the army, and, in 1810, was Assistant-Quarter-Master-General to the forces in Sicily; In 1813, he received the third class of the Order of St. Ferdinand and Merit, for his services near Messina in the former year. In 1815, he was knighted and made a Military Companion of the Bath. In 1824, he was placed on half-pay as Captain in the 24th Foot. He was at one period Deputy-Adjutant-General at St. Helena; and, in 1837, he obtained the rank of Colonel in the army. Soon after his going to Tunis to reside, as Consul-General for Great Britain, a difference with Sardinia led to hostilities betwixt that state and Tunis. As the Sardinians could obtain no satisfaction, they sent a fleet of fifteen vessels to demand it by force. The Bashaw made preparations to oppose them; but, on the timely interference of Sir Thomas Reade, whose influence was always very great, peace was established between the two nations. Through the exertions of Sir Thomas, several grand ruins have been discovered on the site of the ancient Carthage. He obtained permission from his Highness, the Bey of Tunis, to excavate on the ruins of Carthage; and Mr. Honnegger, a clever Gerinan architect, undertook the superintendence of the excavations. All the expenses were defrayed by Sir Thomas. The ruins of an extensive building, about which there are many conjectures, have been laid bare. Nothing, it is said, can exceed the solidity with which it was built. When in England, some years ago, Sir Thomas endeavoured, we believe, to establish a society for carrying out these excavations; but without success. It was mainly to the influence possessed by Sir Thomas Reade, and to his readiness at all times to promote the cause of humanity, which formed such a marked feature in his character, that the odious and oppressive system of slavery was partially abolished in Tunis. The circumstances under which this desirable event was brought about are fully detailed in a statement inserted in Davis's Voice from North Africa," but originally published in 1841. According to this statement, a poor slave came to Sir Thomas Reade, begging to be protected from the cruelties of his master; which Sir Thomas most promptly afforded, and at the same time thought this to be the very moment when something might be done for the poor slave-race in the regency of Tunis. Accordingly, the following morning he went to Bardo, the Bey's residence, where a long parley took place between him and his Highness the Bey; in which Sir Thomas so successfully advocated the abolition of slavery that the Bey at once consented to give liberty to all his own slaves, to put a stop to the importation and exportation of them, and to get all his subjects in his regency to follow his example. It took three years, however, before anything was done in the way of abolishing the system of slavery in Tunis; but to Sir Thomas Reade belongs the honour of having propounded to the Bey the measures subsequently adopted for its abolition. Sir Thomas had the best collection of Arabic manuscripts that ever a Christian formed at Tunis, since that country came under Mohammedan government. A catalogue of this collection has been published. 66 DR. JOHN REID. At St. Andrew's, on the 30th of July, Dr. John Reid, M.D., College of St. Salvator and St. Leonard. He was favourably Professor of Descriptive Anatomy and Medicine in the United known to the Medical Profession by the publication of his obtained his degree of M.D. at the University of Edinburgh; Physiological, Anatomical, and Pathological Researches." He and soon after, he was appointed Practical Pathologist to the Royal Infirmary of that city. Whilst ably discharging the laborious duties of that important office, he was also engaged in some of those interesting physiological researches which so greatly contributed to his reputation. It was then that he made his great "Experimental Investigations into the Functions of the Eight Pair of Nerves, or the Glossopharyngeal, Pneumogastric, and Spinal Accessory;" the results of which were intimated to the British Scientific Association at the meetings of 1847 and 1848, and published in detail in the "Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal," for January, 1848, and April, 1849. In 1841 he received the appointment of Chandos Professor of Anatomy and Medicine in the University of St. Andrew's, by his discharge of the duties of which he contributed much to raise the character of the medical degree in that ancient city of learning. He had been long afflicted with cancer in the tongue. In 1818 an operation was performed, which enabled his health to rally so greatly that hopes were entertained of his ultimate reand throat, which caused his death at the early age of 41. covery. But the insidious disease had made progress in his neck SIR NICHOLAS FITZSIMON. At his seat, Brough-hall Castle, King's County, Ireland, on the 31st of July, Sir Nicholas Fitzsimon, Inspector-General of Prisons, and formerly member for King's County. He was the eldest son of the late John Fitzsimon, Esq., of Brough-hall Castle, by the eldest daughter of Count Awly Magawly, of Frankford, King's County, and was born in 1807. He was a Captain in the Monaghan Regiment of Militia, and Member of Parlia ment for King's County from January, 1833, till February, 1841. He was a magistrate of the head police-office in Dublin from 1841 to 1845, when he was appointed Inspector-General of Prisons, the salary of which office is £1,200 per annum. He was knighted by Earl Fortescue, in 1841, when that nobleman was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Sir Nicholas married, in 1829, the second daughter of Sir John Power, Baronet. He received university honours, and was the author of some pamphlets on the ballot. MR. GODSON, M.P. SIR CHARLES SCUDAMORE. At London, SIR CHARLES SCUDAMORE, M.D., F.R.S., in his 70th year. He was the third son of William Scudamore, Esq., of Wye, in the county of Kent, and was born in 1779. His mother's name was Rolfe. He was of the second branch of the Kentish family, lineally descended from the ancient house of Scudamore, in Herefordshire. He was educated at Wye College, and studied the medical professiou at Edinburgh, and at Glasgow, where he graduated. He married, in 1812, the second daughter of the late Robert Johnson, Esq., and received the honour of knighthood while in At his seat, Springfield Hall, near Lancaster, of disease of the professional attendance on the Duke of Northumberland, when heart, on the 8th August, Richard Godson, Esq., Queen's Coun- his Grace was Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Sir Charles Sendasel, and M.P. for Kidderminster. He was a member of Lincoln's more was the author of "Treatises on Gout and on RheumaInn, and one of the leading members of the Oxford Circuit, and tism," "An Essay on the Blood," "Observations on the use of the known to an extensive circle as a warm-hearted and faithful || Stethoscope,” “A Treatise on Mineral Waters,” “Cases illustrafriend. He was born in 1797, and educated at Cambridge. In ting the use of Jodine in Phthisis," and some other medical 1818 he was a wrangler, and took the degree of M.A. In 1821 publications. he was called to the bar, and shortly afterwards assumed a dis-i tinguished position at the Worcester and Stafford sessions. In 1831 he was elected Member for St. Alban's; and in 1832 was chosen for Kidderminster, which borough he represented at the time of his death, having stood five contested elections. In 1841 he was appointed Queen's Counsel, by Lord Cottenham; and in 1844 he received the appointment of Counsel to the Admiralty and Navy. In politics he was conservative. In 1839 he took an active part on the Jamaica Assembly question, and in 1841, and 184, on the Sugar Duties debate. He was the author of a valuable treatise on "Patents and Copyrights," and in 1822 contributed in a great degree to the establishment of the "Law Journal," a publication in great request by the profession. He has left a widow and three sous. He was making great preparations to celebrate the coming of age of his eldest son, which takes place this month, when death arrested his carcer. THE EARL OF AIRLIE. At London, on the 20th August, the Right Honourable David Ogilvy, Earl of Airlie and Lintrathen, late Lord-Lieutenant of Forfarshire. His lordship was the sixth earl, and the twentyseventh in descent from the first Thane of Angus. He was the son of Walter Ogilvy, Esq., by his second wife, the daughter of John Ogilvy, of Muckle, and was born in 1785. He was twice married, first, in 1812, to Clementina, only daughter of the late Gavin Drummond, Esq. She died in 1835; and in 1838 he married, secondly, Margaret, only child of the late William Bruce, Esq. of Cowden. This lady died in 1845. He had issue by both marriages. He succeeded his father in 1829. For their share in the rebellion of 1745, the ancestors of Lord Airlie forfeited their honours. His lordship's father assumed the titles in 1819; and the earl, now deceased, got them confirmed, by Act of Parliament, in May, 1836. He was a representative peer of Scotland, and he Intelyresigned the Lord-Lieutenancy of Forfarshire on account of ill health, and was succeeded by the Right Honourable Fox Manle. At a recent meeting of the lieutenaney of that county, a vote of thanks was passed to his lordship for the manner in which he had, for so many years, discharged the duty of Lord-Lieutenant. He was formerly a captain in the 42d Highlanders. He is succeeded in his titles and estates by his son, Lord Ogilvy, now Earl of Airlie. JAMES KENNEY, THE DRAMATIST. At Brompton, suddenly, from disease of the heart, on the 1st August, Mr. James Kenney, the veteran dramatist. His death occurred on the morning fixed for his benefit at Drury Lane Theatre, which was crowded on the occasion, thus showing the high estimation in which he was held. He was the author of a number of light dramatic pieces, all of which were eminently successful. Among others are Love, Law, and Physic;" 'Raising the Wind;" Matrimony;" "The World;" Rosenberg;" "The Illustrious Stranger," &c. His health had been for some time in an infirm and delicate state, and he dicd|| at an advanced age. He is referred to, among other dramatists of the day, in Byron's "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers." His lively farce of "Raising the Wind," with its inimitable character of Jeremy Diddler, was his first dramatic production. "Ella MR. PIERCE EGAN. At Pentonville, London, on the 3d August, Mr. Pierce Egan, author of "Life in London," well known as a sporting writer, and the historian of the ring, aged 77. At one period Mr. Egan enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the peculiar branch of literature which he selected, and was also celebrated, in his day, for his genial humour and ready wit. He is represented as having been a kind, warm-hearted man, and a delightful and entertaining companion. His "Life in London"--a volume of graphic sketches of metropolitan life thirty years ago, and there are a good many changes since that time-attained to such extraordinary popularity, that it was speedily dramatised, and played at nearly all the theatres in the kingdom, under the well-known title of "Tom and Jerry." He was the author of several other minor works and sketches, on sporting and temporary subjects, and of a drama called "Life in Dublin," which was performed in the Irish capital with great success. MARSHAL MOLITOR. At Paris, in the beginning of August, Marshal Molitor, one of Napoleon's Generals. He was buried on the 8th, at the Hotel des Invalides. His widow died during the funeral. General Fabrier delivered a speech in the courtyard over the Marshal's coffin. The words which Madame Molitor pronounced some said the Marshal in conversation with his wife, "It is there,” months before his death have become prophetic. It is there," pointing to heaven, "that I shall soon go to wait for you." Pressing his hand, she replied, sadly, “I hope you will not wait for me long!" and her wish has been accomplished. W. J. DENISON, ESQ., M.P. At London, ou 2d August, W. J. Denison, Esq., M.P. for West Surrey. He was born in 1770, and had sat for the county of Surrey since 1818. He voted in favour of short parliaments, and of the repeal of the assessed taxes, and the substitution of a graduated property tax. He was of the firm of Denison & Co., bankers, Lombard Street. He has left a large fortune, the greater part of which goes to his relative the Marquis of Coningham, whose mother, the dowager marchioness, is the daughter of the late Joseph Denison, Esq. THE EX-KING OF SARDINIA. At Oporto, on the afternoon of the 28th of July, Charles Albert, late King of Sardinia. His body was embalmed, and transmitted to Genoa for burial. He was in the fifty-first year of his age. MADAME LEBRUN. At Paris, at the age of 106, leaving six children, of whom the eldest is 78, Madame Lebrun, the friend of Queen Marie Antoinette. SIGNOR DE BEGNIS. Recently, at New York, of cholera, Signor de Begnis, the celebrated vocalist. PRINTED BY GEORGE TROUP, 29, DUNLOP STREET, GLASGOW, |