that clause of the Act is enforced with discretion, it will render a dog tax quite unnecessary.

The meeting of the Bench of Magistrates took place on Monday, the 3rd instant, for the purpose of considering the propriety of granting certain fresh licenses, when Messrs. Firth, Puzzi, Innis, Taylor, and Cobb, all received fresh licenses. The meeting adjourned til! to-morrow, when it will be made known whether Messrs. Wise and Day, of the Ship Inn, have their licenses restored to them. We are happy to say, that the abominable, the horrible, and treacherous close door system has received a death-blow, and in future, a man, if he is to be ruined, by being deprived of his license, will have the satisfaction of knowing the nature of his offence. The discussions will in future, take place with open doors.

The good done, and doing by the body of Catholics, daily more and more exhibits itself in various respects. One fact is unanswerable. The Rev. Mr. Connolly has now considered it proper himself to call a Meeting, for the purpose of considering the best means of affording education to the children of that faith!!! What now becomes of the Protestant opposition to the late Meeting?

It is now ascertained that the Insolvent Law in operation is altogether lopsided. The debtor can declare himself insolvent at his pleasure-not so the creditor, who, even if he knows that his debtor can pay one hundred shillings in the pound, has no power over his property, nor can he compel him to surrender it. This Act, then, like the former one, under which so much loss was sustained by creditors, is any thing but calculated to effect a good purpose. Neither debtor nor creditor are satisfied with it. We twice inserted in this Journal a draft of a six-line Act, which we have the satisfaction to hear is generally approved. But newspaper advice is, we suppose, unworthy notice.-Tasmanian and Review.

Mr. Deane has commenced operations at his New Theatre in Argyle-street. It was opened with a Concert, and part of two Acts of a Pantomine, and was so crowded on both occasions that its solility underwent a tolerably good ordeal. After the stuffing which has taken place,

the Surveyors may withdraw their advertisement. It is a noble room of accurate dimensions, admirably calculated for theatrical purposes, as it admits of abundant stage room, and a division of the audience part, so as to obtain that desirable object in all theatres, the convenient accommodation of all classes of the community. Mr. Deane has a grand Oratorio in preparation. We have seen the programme, and nothing can be better selected. He has made arrangements for the performance of one of Handel's Chorusses, by the engagement of a more numerous orchestra, than was ever yet heard in this Island. It will consist of upwards of thirty performers of the various sorts. We apprehend Mr. Deane will on this occasion, as in England, raise the price of tickets to half-a-guinea, the invariable charge of the Hanover Square, and all other similar Concerts. No doubt, there will not be one to be sold, even at that price, long before the evening of performance.

Great complaints have been made to us, respecting Mr. Luckman, the miller, having chosen to stop the supply of the inhabitants, with the ditch water of the creek, by having almost entirely covered up the water trough in Harrington-street. Mr. Luckman has no more right to claim exclusive possession of the creek water, than has any other individual, and if he has been so long tacitly permitted to enjoy the advantage of a supply of water for his mill, it was merely because the public were not inconvenienced thereby-his trough having been open, so as to allow parties to dip water therefrom. Bad water is better than no water at all; and water people must, and will have. If therefore Mr. Luckman persists in keeping the whole of the water of the creek to himself-the sooner those concerned, knock the water trough down, and rid the public thoroughfare of Harrington-street of such a nuisance, the better it will be for all parties. What with these millers, and the aristocracy, residing in the neighbourhood of

66

Montagu Bason," the public at times can scarcely obtain a pail full of water. So dammed up has the water been lately, that at times it would have taken two hours to fill a pail of water at the creek at Wellington Bridge.

Fish were lately so plentiful at Port Arthur, that on one occasion the seine was

There are now 68 boys in the separate establishments for their discipline and education at Port Arthur, and credit is due to Capt. Booth, and Lieutenant Montgomery the superintendent, for the excellent manner in which they are managed.

During Baron Hugel's short stay in our Colony, he made several particularly interesting excursions into the interior. One to New Norfolk and its beautiful neighbourhood, a second to the Coal river and a third to the Huon. In the latter he was piloted and accompanied by Mr. Davidson, the able and zealous superintendent of the Government garden, who pointed out to him the localities of many rare and beautiful plants discovered in his recent researches. On their journey down they had nearly perished, however, in the dreadful flames which have for some days been ravaging all parts of the country. In one place the travellers got so completely surrounded that it was perilous either to retreat or advance, and they were kept at bay for some time until the encircling flames compelled them at all hazards, as through the flames of Troy town, to force their way. Tying handkerchiefs round their horses eyes, they dashed through at full speed and ultimately escaped, though not without scorching and burning off part of the poor animals manes and tails, as well as a portion of the hair of the head and the Baron's mustachios. Happily the rain on Monday, which was very heavy in that district, quenched the flames and permitted them to return through another element.

The Lieutenant Governor has, with his suit, been for some time past visiting the interior; after staying at Launceston, he proceeded to St. Paul's Plains, Ben Lomond, and George's River, where he was to be met by Captain Moriarty, with the military detachment from Hobart Town.

His Honor the Puisne Judge returned from Launceston on the 19th inst., having closed the session at that place.

Mr. Clements, of Richmond, has kindly forwarded to us a specimen of a very remarkable substance found in digging a well at that place, at a depth of about 64 feet. It was deposited between

two distinct strata of clay, evidently pointing out that it was a casual deposit in the interval that had occurred in a former age between the subsiding of each stratum. On trial it is found to be inflammable, is of a yellow striped appearance and very brittle. It is evidently a vegetable resin, but different from that which exudes from any plant now existing in the island.

Mr. Rowlands has, we learn, very handsomely presented a silver cup to the race fund, to be un for by ponies not exceeding 14 hands high, and it is said fourteen or fifteen horses are likely to contend for the prize, which will be worth about 60 or £70.

Mr. Clayton has kindly offered to shew gentlemen about town who are desirous of taking honey from their bees at this season, the method of doing so without destroying the bees.

We regret to state, that another Government vessel has been carried off. The circumstances are very short. The last of the Macquarie Harbour people took their passage in a newly-built vessel, of about 100 tons. There were nineteen persons on board, including a corporal and four soldiers. As in the case of the Cypress,' two of these latter went from the vessel to fish, on the 13th of January, at the entrance of Macquarie Harbour, when ten of the nineteen seized the vessel, and carried her off. The nineteen were thus disposed of:-Nine were put on shore, and ten, as we have said, carried away the vessel. Now, it is quite clear, that with common precaution, nine men, proving themselves not of the pirates, including a corporal and two soldiers, must have been a tolerably good match for any ten unarmed prisoners, of every sort! We forbear further remark, unwilling to prejudice those, who will, of course, be subject to investigation forthwith. But the matter speaks for itself.

Great preparations are making for the New Town Races-the trainers are busily and anxiously employed, in bringing the young ones quite up to the mark, and the old ones have had their due portion of aloes-by the by we have seen in a lately published work, that a vast alteration has taken place in the strength of the doses given; eight drachms of Barbadoes aloes, form the largest doses given, to aged horses-

six and a half to four year old-six to three year old, five to two year old, and from three to four to yearlings. We have not yet heard whether the officers of the 21st, intend following the example of their predecessors, by giving a plate to be run for at the New Town Meeting.

The Regatta is anxiously anticipated by many. Go where you will, and you will find conversation is sure to turn upon sailing boats and whaling boats. The prizes, we consider very handsome, and will, no doubt, stimulate much competition. It is fully expected that every whaler will have a hand in the Regatta --crews are chosen, and exercising has long since commenced. The sailing boats, too, are numerous of course every one a clipper-and so they will be till the day of the race, when some will, no doubt, be at Sandy Bay Point, whilst others are at the Battery. We shall give the particulars in our next Magazine.

We are surprised that so little attention has hitherto been paid to the collection of leeches. At the present time they are worth three or four shillings each-nay, indeed, so scarce are they, that they can rarely be obtained at any price. The island abounds with them, and if any person will take the trouble to walk up to where the grass trees grow on the side of Mount Wellington, they will obtain them in large quantities. The leech is seen above the ground, or swamps, only in hot weather. The usual way of collecting them in some parts of Europe, is by means of a bullock's liver, tied to a string, which is dipped into the little stagnant pools-the leeches should be taken from the liver, and placed in a bottle with fresh water. The more common way, however, of taking them, is by means of men and women who walk about bare-legged in the water the leeches soon collect on their feet and legs, from which they are taken off before they have had time to suck much blood.

An old hand, of the name of Luke Normanton, went on a fishing excursion in a small boat, on Friday, the 31st ult., in Frederick Henry Bay, and has not since been heard of. The weather being very tempestuous, it is feared, the dingy in which he was, swamped-the man is upwards of eighty years of age.

Mr. Murray's work on education is at length completed; and we have read it in sheets. It is unquestionably one of the most familiar and elaborate manuals of education we ever read. The method is new-the style bold, and suitable to the subject-the diction elegant, and the argument sound. Much labour has evidently been bestowed upon it, and the author has succeeded in gradually elucidating his subject, in such intelligible terms, that the meanest capacity may follow him through his pages with profit, while the scholar will find ample food for the mind upon an attentive perusal. In point of utility, but one opinion can exist with respect to this work, which is the most truly useful publication which has emanated from the Colonial Press. No family in the Island ought to be without a copy, and indeed we consider it has only to be read to induce a call for a second edition.

The Town has been supplied with a small quantity of shrimps, which have been caught on the other side of the island, and brought over by the Mail. It is matter of astonishment, that some person does not commence the shrimp fishing in the Derwent-the fish is to be found most plentiful in all parts-at Sandy Bay point, more particularly so. A net, which might be made at a trifling expense, would be all the outlay required, and a large profit would most assuredly be forthcoming-those brought over from Launceston have been selling at seven shillings the quart.

In spite of the favorable reception of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor in Hobart Town, they have left the Colony, and that too very suddenly. They left Hobart Town on the 27th inst., in the Currency Lass, for Sydney, and they both anticipate to be engaged on the Sydney Theatre-that they will have cause and leisure to repent of the abrupt and uncourteous manner they have treated the Van Diemen's Land public, who have shewn such a wish to support them, there is little doubt.

It is understood that Mr. Lewis, of the "Terpsichorean Academy," intends giving at an early opportunity, a private Ball to his pupils, and their friends, at Mr. Deane's New Rooms; when three elegant prizes will be given to the three pupils, who shall have made the great est progress under Mr. Lewis's tuition,

in proportion to the time he has instructed them. This will be a very interesting

occasion.

We regret to state that Captain Read fell from his horse, the other day, near New Norfolk, by which his hand was dreadfully shattered, and his head severely bruised.

Several merchants are about joining to bring down some live cattle from

FEBRUARY.-AGRICULTURE.

Sydney, where good beef is three-halfpence a pound, while at Hobart Town it is selling at 8d.

The flour, recently imported from Sydney (sixty tons), has hitherto been selling at £22 per ton. It is to us singular, that while flour is selling at Launceston for 17s. a cwt., we should be importing Sydney flour at the same price, and that quite smutty! How is this?

Wheat

harvest continues throughout this month, with full activity. Indeed, if the wheat farmer devotes his time and energies to it as he ought, he will find little leisure for any other occupation.

A few turnips may be sown early in the month, so that the weather be showery; and those previously sown, should be well thinned and cleansed by the hoe. Where the farmer has the means or opportunity, his fallows should have the plough and harrows constantly at work, as the weeds now make sad havoc, if not checked by these means.

ARRIVALS.

HORTICULTURE.-Onions will now begin to be fit for gathering-their tops should be first laid flat, and after they are taken out of the ground should lay as long exposed to the influence of the sun as can well be managed, as this will assist their keeping. It has been complained of the onions of the Colony, that they do not keep well-but the fault lies more in the management than in the onions.

Fruits of various kinds are now in perfection. You may plant out a few forward brocoli, cauliflowers, and cabbages for autumn use, any time this month, and sow a little of each for a succession.

Feb. 6.-His Majesty's Ship Alligator, for Sydney.

Feb. 6.-The barque Atwick, for Sydney.

Feb. 7.-The brig Brazil Packet, for Hokianga.

Feb. 9.-The ship Southworth, for the Mauritius.

Feb. 9.-The barque Caroline,, for London.

Feb. 15.-The ship Lang, for the South Seas.

Feb. 16.-The barque Wave, with wool, oil, &c. for London.

Feb. 16.-The ship Sir John Rae Reid, for London.

Feb. 18.-The brig Argo, for the Mauritius.

Feb. 20.-The barque Merope, for Swan River.

On the 5th inst., at Orielton, the lady

of Alexander Goldie, esq. of a son.

On the 21st inst., the lady of James Hackett, esq., distiller, of a daughte