Lansdowne station until near eleven o'clock-full three hours after its time. None of the passengers, happily, sustained the slightest injury. The unfortunate stoker was conveyed to the Gloucester Infirmary, where he expired shortly after his arrival.

22. A deplorable event occurred at Portachulia, in Clare Island. Two boats, returning to port, were overset by a sea in attempting to land, and the entire crew of one boat, consisting of Phelim Toole, Patrick Toole, Edmond Toole, Peter Malley, and Charles Malley, were drowned, and two men of the other boat, P. Needham, and Dominick Bradshaw, only, escaped, and Ant. O'Donel, Peter O'Donel, Patrick Needham, and Michael Conolly were drowned-making in all nine fishermen lost, who have left many widows and orphans to deplore their loss.

23. About seven o'clock in the morning a most distressing accident occurred off Vauxhall bridge, attended with the loss of one life and the narrow escape of a second. It appears that on the afternoon of Friday a barge named the Three Brothers, belonging to Mr. Robert Mallett, of College-street, Pedlar's-acre, the individual who perished, had been up to the ballast machine off the Red-house, Battersea, for ballast. In this barge were the deceased and a lighterman, of the name of Robert Cane. They left the ballast machine between five and six o'clock, and were coming down very slowly, while, at a short distance off, in another barge was William Mallett, brother of the deceased, who was loaded in a similar manner. On nearing the bridge, the Three Brothers by some means was too far southward, when, in the attempts

made by the deceased and Cane to get into the proper current, the stern of the barge got into a dangerous whirlpool, which is well known to those whose business is on the river. In an instant the barge whirled round, and came with a tremendous force against the abutments of one of the arches, and instantly went down. The deceased at that instant was making a back stroke, when, being thrown off, the handle of the oar appeared to strike him a violent blow on the chest. The feelings of the brother, who was within sixty yards, can be better imagined than described, for he saw his brother in the water without being able to render the slightest assistance. The deceased struggled but a few seconds before he sank to rise no more. Cane swam ashore in a very exhausted condition.

23. DEATH OF HATFIELD THE LUNATIC.-James Hatfield, who was tried at the Old Bailey, in the month of September, 1802, for firing a loaded pistol, in Drurylane theatre, at his majesty king George III., and acquitted on the ground of insanity, died in Bethlehem Hospital, in the 69th year of his age.

24. COLLISION AT SEA.-Two VESSELS LOST.-Intelligence was received in the city of the total loss of the schooner Robert, of Goole, and the Hunter, of Sunderland, (a trader) with a cargo valued at 5,000l., which occurred on the night of Sunday, the 24th, in the North Sea, by the vessels coming into collision. The disaster took place near Inner Dowsing sands, some distance from Bridlington Bay, a seaport situate in East Yorkshire, at about half-past ten o'clock. From the particulars received, it appears that at the

time the wind was blowing a gale from the westward, and the night was extremely dark. The Hunter, which was a fine-built vessel, left the Thames for Sunderland in the early part of last week, and at the period above-mentioned was bearing under press of sale at a rate, it is supposed, of seven or eight miles an hour. The other vessel, the schooner Robert, was on her voyage from Goole to London, and was proceeding at a similar rate. It is stated, there was a good lookout kept on both sides, and that they did not perceive each other until within 200 yards; and although the crews strained every nerve to avoid a collision, they came in contact with tremendous force. The collision must have been truly awful; the hulls of both were driven in, and it was a considerable time before they could be extricated from each other; and, on that being effected, it was discovered that both were sinking. The consternation that ensued amongst those on board each vessel can be better imagined than described. Some were asleep in their berths at the time, and were compelled to rush upon deck in their night clothes. The boats of each vessel were as quickly as possible lowered into the sea, which being done, the crew threw what little property they could save into them, and then got in themselves. The masters were the last on board. Within ten minutes after, both vessels went down headforemost in deep water. The crews kept close together, and in the course of the night were picked up by the brig Halifax, from Newhaven, Captain Jones, master, who treated them with great humanity, and safely put them on shore at Bridling

ton.

26. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. -An immense concourse of persons assembled upon occasion of her majesty's opening parliament in

person. Long before two o'clock the whole line from Buckingham palace, through St. James's park, along Whitehall, and Parlia ment-street, leading to the house of lords, was one continuous mass of the inhabitants of the metropolis, and of all classes. The windows of the houses in Parliament. street, Whitehall, and Richmond. terrace, were occupied by fashionably dressed ladies, while on Richmond-terrace and on the steps at the base of the duke of York's column were immense bodies of people. About the time that her majesty left Buckingham palace the sun shone forth and the clouds dispersed, which tended much to enliven the gorgeous spectacle. The cortège consisted of five carriages, containing the attendants upon royalty, and the state carriage, in which were her majesty and prince Albert, who sat on her right, and the master of the horse. The queen's body guard was formed of the royal horse guards (blue). When the queen's carriage reached the outside of the marble portico, her majesty was most enthusiastically cheered, and the same demonstration of respect continued throughout the progress of our sovereign to the house of lords. Her majesty's return to Buckingham palace was hailed with demonstrations similar to those bestowed upon her approach to the house of lords. After her majesty entered Buckingham palace the military left the park, the various divisions of the police soon followed, and shortly after the park was cleared of the mass of persons with which it was thronged.

—ANTIQUITIES.-The Commerce

states, that a curious discovery has been made near Arnaval, in the department of the Meurthe, highly interesting to antiquaries. A ploughman having broken the sock of his plough against an enormous stone, the proprietor of the field was advised to make an excavation round the stone, and having done so, discovered a deep cave, in which were found five stone coffins filled with skeletons; each coffin measured two yards in length and one yard in breadth. Not far from the same place was found a small piece of money, on which was stamped the word "Moussa." An antiquary who has examined this coin states, that an Arab chief, named Moussa, carried his victorious arms into the south of France in the year 712; and, according to the Arabian historians, Moussa intended, after having subdued France, to return to Damascus, to the Califf Valid his master, by crossing through Germany, the Dardanelles, and Asia Minor, threatening to convert the Mediterranean into a large lake, which would serve as a mode of communication with the different provinces of his gigantic empire. These ambitious schemes were thwarted by the resistance of Eudes, duke of Aquitania, in 724. Those tombs, those coffins, and this Arabian coin struck in the name of Moussa, appear to countenance the idea that this Arabian chief had attempted to realise his plans of conquest.

25. Suicide of a Sentinel IN CHATHAM DOCKYARD.-An inquest took place at Chatham, before Mr. Hind, coroner, on view of the body of Joseph Martin Lakton, aged 31, a private belonging to the 80th regiment, who committed self-destruction under the following dreadful circumstanVOL. LXXXIII.

ces:-From the statements made by the several witnesses examined, it appeared that on Sunday night last, a detachment of the 80th regiment, quartered in Chatham garrison, were on duty in the dockyard. The deceased was one of the party. At about a quarter before three o'clock on Monday morning, the guard at the guardhouse in the yard was alarmed by the discharge of fire-arms. He immediately gave information to the officer on duty, who directly, with a party of men, proceeded to ascertain the cause. On arriving at Anchor-wharf, they were surprised at not perceiving the sentry at his post, and, on search being made, they discovered him (the deceased) lying in the sentry-box covered with blood, which was gushing forth from wounds in his stomach and back of the neck. Medical assistance was instantly sent for, and the deceased was carried to the guard-house, when he was found to be dead. It further appeared that the deceased had shot himself, by placing the muzzle of his musket to his chest, and touching the trigger with the bayonet. The ball entered the pit of the stomach, passing out at the back of the neck, and through the top of the sentry-box. The jury returned a verdict of " Insanity."

30. FIRE. Between three and four o'clock in the morning, the inhabitants of Tothill-street, Westminster, and its vicinity, were aroused from their beds, and thrown into the utmost consternation and alarm, by the sudden outbreak of one of the most serious fires that ever occurred in such a crowded neighbourhood. At the hour above mentioned, one of those unfortunate women by whom the Almonry is inhabited (situate at the south C

side of Tothill-street) discovered the appearance of flame burhing in the premises of Mr. Rowland Ames, tool-maker, whose warehouses, and workshops, &c., form an extensive range of building on the south side of the Almonry, the entrance being by gates from a narrow street at the back. The moment the flames were discovered, an alarm was given; a strong detachment of the B division of police hastened to the spot, and were almost immediately followed by the arrival of several fire-engines. While aid was thus momentarily arriving, and before any of the engines could be brought into play, the flames gained great ascendancy, and appeared to be making their way towards an adjoining timber-yard, where, had the enormous stacks of wood once become ignited there is scarcely any doubt that the whole of the Almonry, and several streets and narrow thoroughfares adjoining, would have been entirely laid waste; and it was only by the extraordinary exertions of the fire brigade, aided by the police, that the flames were confined within narrower limits. In spite of every effort, they continued to rage with great fury until about five o'clock, when the roofs of the workshops and warehouses, &c., fell in, all the property that was on the premises, to the amount of 1,500/., having been completely destroyed. INTERESTING ANTIQUEHEAD OF A ROMAN STANDARD.— A curious bronze centaur (fixed on a square socket), evidently Chiron with the young Achilles riding behind him, and a pard or panther leaping up in front of the group, was lately found on the beach under the cliffs, near Sidmouth. It had apparently been washed up by the sea, and must have been a

long time subjected to the attrition of a gravelly bed of marine pebbles, perhaps for many ages. The group is about eight inches in height, and evidently formel the top of a Roman standard or ensign. It is considered by an able and learned antiquary to have been the standard of the second legion in the reign of the great Roman-British emperor and admiral, Carausius, about 294 A. D., and to have been lost from some galley that was wrecked on the coast, or perhaps in opposing some descent either from Gaul, or the aggressions of the Saxon rovers in his time, by troops from the neighbouring posts at Sidbury (Tidortis) or Blackbury, near Wiscombe park. This legion was at that time called Parthica, and, the centaur appears on five of that emperor's coins as recording these troops,

The late Dr. Simpson, of Worcester, who lately died at the venerable age of 85, has bequeathed the munificent sum of 15,000l. to the King's College of Aberdeen, where he received his university education; the sum of 500l. to the parish of Keith, and the like sum to that of Rothes, of which he was a native. The interest of the two latter sums is to be given to the parochial teachers of the respective parishes.

Loss OF LIFE IN NAVAL ACTIONS. The naval actions of the English have been always remarkable for the comparative small loss of life with which they have been gained; and in the estimation of the country this has always formed a principal feature of the public triumph. The loss at Acre was the smallest ever known in an affair of such magnitude; and, decisive as the victory was, it must be regarded with increased con

gratulation, from its offering a hope that war (if such must come) may yet be carried on with diminished sacrifices to humanity. The following statement of the losses in the great principal actions since the beginning of the great war of the French Revolution, illustrates this subject. In lord Howe's action of the 1st of June, 1794, there were 26 sail of the line en; gaged, with 17,000 men. The total of the killed and wounded amounted to 1,078. In lord Bridport's action of the 23rd of June, 1795, there were 14 sail of the line, with 10,000 men. The killed and wounded were 144. In lord

St. Vincent's action there were 15 sail of the line, with 10,000 men. The killed and wounded were 300. In lord Duncan's action, October, 1797, there were 16 sail (including two 50's) with 8,000 men.

The

killed and wounded were 751. In lord Nelson's battle of the Nile, 1st of August, 1798, there were 14 sail, with 8,000 men. The killed and wounded were 895. In lord Nelson's attack on Copenhagen, 2nd of April, 1801, there were 11 sail of the line and five frigates, with 17,000 men. The killed and wounded were 1,524. In lord Nelson's battle of Trafalgar, 21st of October, 1805, there were 27 sail, with 17,000 men. The killed and wounded were 1,524. In lord Exmouth's attack on Algiers there were five sail of the line and five frigates, with 5,000 men. The killed were 818. At Acre the loss amounted only to 18 killed and 41 wounded.

minated in the return of Mr. W. E. Gladstone, the conservative candidate at the close of the poll the numbers stood-for Gladstone 362; for Smith 335; majority 27. Some disturbances took place during the polling, and the Scots Grays were called in, but no collision with the mob occurred.

AWFUL FIRE.-A very disastrous fire occurred at Letterkenny, county Derry, by which a flax-mill, belonging to Mr. Mc Clelland, was destroyed, two persons burnt to death, and five seriously injured. At the time the calamitous event occurred there were at work in the mill, the owner, four men, and two girls-in all seven persons. About eight or nine o'clock one of the girls went out to enter the lantern, (which in flax-mills is prudently so constructed as not to admit of any communication with the interior of the mill, and therefore must be entered from the outside), to snuff the candle, which she did with her fingers, and on casting the snuff from her it entered a small crevice or mousehole, communicating, it would appear, with the floor of the mill, and falling through, rested on the very ignitable material with which such floors are usually covered, which immediately took fire. The blaze was observed by the owner, who instantly made an effort to extinguish it by throwing a leather apron over it, and thought he had succeeded, but in this he was mistaken, as in a second or two it burst forth with increased force, the motion of the wipers adding to the fury of the devouring element, and in a few minutes not only the flax in the mill, but the poor creatures themselves, who were covered with the waste of the flax, were enveloped in the flames.