office; after the fire, Thomas gave Harris a sovereign, and promised him more money if he did not tell anything; but a reward of 50%. had been offered, and Harris tried to get it by detailing his story of Thomas's guilt. In cross-examination, the witness repeated his narrative of long conversations word for word: it was evident he had got it by rote. The prisoner's counsel asked the jury whether they could believe Harris, and whether it was necessary for him to call witnesses. The jury said they did not require to hear more. Mr. Justice Coleridge observed, it was quite evident that the story must have been written by Harris himself, or by some one more wicked than himself, and then learnt off by repeated readings. No motive whatever could be assigned for the prisoner committing such an act. The jury gave a verdict of not guilty, which was received with a burst of applause.

A singular case of Assault was tried at the Inverness Sheriff's Court, on the 10th. Donald Macdonald, of North Uist, was charged, with several others, with violently entering the house of J. R. Macdonald, of Harris, and putting the inmates in bodily fear. The prisoner's defence was, that his object was to obtain the lady, now his wife, from whom he had been separated against their mutual wishes. It turned out that the young gentleman and Miss Jessie Macdonald were lovers, but her father had provided another match for her, and they resolved to elope together. Accordingly, the young chieftain, with a party of friends and dependants, arrived at her father's house, on the sea-shore, at midnight, in a stormy night, made their way into the house, and even into the young lady's bed-room, and carried her off in triumph, as it was proved, with her full consent and concurrence. The jury returned a verdict of acquittal, and the young couple left the court-house amid the cheers of a great concourse of people.

Two cases of Juvenile Crime were disposed of at the Mansion House on the 12th. The culprits were boys of about twelve years old. The one had stolen a blanket in which a sleeping infant was wrapped, and the other had stolen a leg of mutton from a butcher's stall near Duke's Place. This last crime has become very common, being committed by small children under the direction of experienced thieves. In both these cases it appeared that the boys had homes and parents to take care of them. The sitting magistrate (Alderman Gibbs) said that in such cases a prison was a very improper place to send a child to. Parents were bound by law to protect their children, and he was determined not to sanction the practice of filling the prisons with children of such tender age. He therefore ordered the boys to be well whipped and taken back to their parents, with an intimation that if they were found again in a similar condition the parents should be called to a severe account for their negligence.

Elizabeth Bubb, a woman of forty, was tried at Gloucester Assizes, on the 12th, for the Murder of Maria Hook, a child of four years old, by withholding from it necessary food and clothing. It was a horrid case of inhuman cruelty. Hook, a woodman, lived at Churchham, near Gloucester; two years since his wife died, leaving three children, of whom Maria was the youngest. Soon after her death, Bubb, her sister, who had two children of her own, came to keep house for Hook. Hitherto Hook's children had been healthy-looking, and had been well attended by the mother. Now a sad change occurred to them: they were neglected, ill-treated, starved. While Bubb and her children were well fed, the other children literally collected, from hunger, the crumbs that fell from the table. The little girl Maria suffered the most. Many witnesses described how she had been misused. She was covered with filth, and almost naked -looked stupified from ill usage, was afraid to cry out, and was reduced to a skeleton. The woman abused any one who interfered in behalf of the child; swore at her constantly, threatened her, and exclaimed "Damn thee, thee wilt never die, and nothing will ever kill thee!" At length the child died in convulsions, and it was clearly proved that she had literally been starved to death. Proof was given that Hook, the father, was not in want, and that his house contained an ample store of provisions at the time of his child's death. The jury found the prisoner guilty of" aggravated manslaughter,"

and she was sentenced to be transported for life. Richard Hook, the father, was then tried for manslaughter, in neglecting to give the child proper food, and clothing. But it appeared that the treatment of the child was much better when he was at home than when he was absent; and he was therefore acquitted.

Hannah Curtis was tried at Gloucester Assizes on the 13th, for the Murder of her husband, Thomas Harris, by poison. He was a hale man, but became suddenly ill of violent pains in the stomach, and died ten days afterwards. Grounds of suspicion having occurred, his body was disinterred, and a large quantity of arsenic found in his stomach and bowels. His wife had bought arsenic, ostensibly to kill cats; had told her neighbours that a gipsy had foretold that her husband would die suddenly, but that she would not be long a widow; and had married another man about three weeks after her husband's death. On the other hand, the purchase of the poison had been without concealment; it was shown that she had always treated her husband kindly. The jury after some deliberation found her guilty, and sentence of death was pronounced. She left the dock protesting her innocence. She was to have been executed on the 24th, but has received a reprieve during pleasure. A young girl, named Amelia Snoswell, Murdered the child of her sister, Mrs. Cooper, an infant of eighteen months old, at Gravesend, on the 14th. The infant had been put to bed along with another child, when the girl went into the room with a knife and cut its throat. She then returned to her sister and said, "I have killed her now, and she is happy." She had always been affectionate to the child, but had lately shown symptoms of mental derangement. She was committed for trial.

William Bennison, who was committed to prison at Leith, in April last, (see Household Narrative" for that month) on the charge of poisoning his wife, has been tried before the High Court of Justiciary and convicted of the crimes of Bigamy and Murder. It was a case of singular atrocity. Some years since, when resident in Ireland, he married an Irishwoman; but soon deserted her, and coming home to Scotland, married there a woman remarkable for her meek virtue and her devotion to himself: he left his second wife, returned to his first wife in Ireland, and soon after she died suddenly. He then once more returned to his second wife, and gave her the garments of his first wife as those of a deceased sister a sister in the Lord." He was distinguished for his gift in prayer, and at last was every evening at the prayer-meeting. Here his eye fell upon one whom he resolved to make his third wife. Six weeks after his acquaintance with this girl, his second wife died: it was proved that six weeks before her death he bought arsenic, and with that poison frequently administered he took the unfortunate woman's life. Her deathbed strikingly exemplified pious resignation and trustful attachment to her husband. With a climax of hypocrisy, immediately after her death, he exclaimed at her bedside, "Thank God, she is gone to glory! I have seen many a deathbed, but never a pleasanter one than my wife's." The wretch was found guilty on both charges. Sentence of death was passed, and he was removed protesting his innocence of the murder: but he afterwards confessed. He was executed on the 17th.

A young German sought advice at the Worship Street Police-office, on the 17th. He had married a young lady who appeared attached to him, but for six months refused him all Marital Rights; so they separated, she insisting on his allowance to her of a weekly maintenance. After a twelvemonth of separation, his wife came to his house one night and insisted on remaining; he received her, and consented that she should again live with him; but for three months more she persisted in her original eccentricity of wifely relation. This state of things was once more put an end to, and arrangements were made for a final separation; but the young lady came back to him a third time, and she now followed him about, and importuned him in a manner no longer to be endured. Mr. Hammill regretted that he could give no help. He advised the applicant to institute a suit in the Consistorial Court for a divorce, if he had the means of so doing; the German left the court in a state, apparently, of perfect doubt and mystification.

At the Central Criminal Court, on the 21st, a very fashionable looking gentleman, named William Augustus Shean, was tried for Bigamy. On the 23rd of June he married Miss Cecilia Charlotte Franchall, a lady of good fortune, and on the 2nd of February, his first wife being still alive-ruined and deserted on the continent -he married Miss Mary Whittaker Greene, on whom a fortune of 15,000l. was settled. In 1849 his second wife discovered his nefarious character, and left him; he resorted to annoyances, and threats of criminal accusation against her, and her friends instituted this prosecution for bigamy. He was found guilty, and sent for twelve months to Bridewell.

Mary Fitzgerald was indicted and convicted for Bigamy; but many extenuating circumstances being proved, and the object of the prosecutor (her second husband) being merely to get rid of the burden of her support, she was only sentenced to seven days' imprison

ment.

The appearance of a person named John Bull before the Bankruptcy Court, to pass his last examination, elicited some singular circumstances. The bankrupt was in the coal trade, and Messrs. Colson, in the same trade, were his creditors to the amount of 7927. He afterwards took a lodging-house, and fitted it up at an expense of 1487., the furniture having afterwards been seized by the landlord. He afterwards made an assignment to his daughter, and lastly came before the Bankruptcy Court, the petitioning creditor being his own nephew. The bankrupt asserted that he had borrowed the money from his daughter to fit up the lodging-house, which was the cause of the assignment to her, and that the debt to his nephew was a real debt. The commissioner observed that the accounts were very unsatisfactory; that he had reason to believe that the bankruptcy had been concocted for a family purpose; and that the examination must be adjourned.

Lord Brougham delivered judgment in the appeal of Norris v. Cottle, confirming the decision of the Court of Exchequer, and settling finally the Non-liability of Provisional Committee-men.

NARRATIVE OF ACCIDENT AND DISASTER.

On the 29th of July, a portion of Brinkway Mill, a large cotton factory recently erected at Stockport, Fell, burying ten of the work-people in the ruins. It was the dinner hour, and most of the people were absent, otherwise the destruction of life would have been much greater. The part of the building that fell was where a large water-wheel was about to be erected; for which purpose a larger space than usual was without an iron pillar to support the upper floors, a long iron beam bearing the weight, and it appeared that this beam had given way. The inquest on the bodies found that the Hoors had been supported by a cast-iron beam of an imperfect construction and of an improper calculation, considering the weight it had to bear.

A Fire broke out at midnight, on the 1st inst., at the New Model Prison for juvenile offenders at Parkhurst, of a serious description. One of the principal wings, containing 200 cells, was totally destroyed, besides damage to other parts of the prison. It has been found that the prison was fired by some of the elder convicts, to enable them to effect their escape.

A dreadful Railway Accident happened at Glasgow on the 1st inst. A special train left Perth in the morning, by the Scottish Central Railway, to convey a large party of excursionists to view the Highland Society's exhibition in Glasgow. On approaching the city, the train was divided into two sections; when the first went forward it was detained by another train being on the line at Cowlairs. While thus stationary, the second portion of the train suddenly approached at a great speed, and dashed into the first train. Two cattletrucks, in which were twenty or thirty persons, were smashed to pieces, and the other carriages were damaged. Five persons were killed, and several others were dangerously, if not fatally, injured.

On Sunday, the 3rd, the Prince Arthur steamer, while

on a pleasure excursion from Preston to Bangor, and crowded with holiday passengers, was Wrecked near Formby. Having sprung a leak, and being in a sinking condition, she was run ashore, and the passengers saved with the utmost difficulty, but the two firemen perished. The vessel, an old boat, fitted for river navigation, went to pieces almost immediately after striking.

Gravesend has suffered from a terrible and destructive Fire, which broke out early on the morning of Sunday the 11th, and destroyed no fewer than twentynine houses, and damaged eleven others. Several engines were obtained, but they did not prove very efficient, and the fire in a great measure burnt itself out. It is said that there was a difficulty in getting people to work the engines, the authorities not having paid those who gave their assistance on a former occasion. The magistrates held an inquiry into the origin of the disaster, but nothing decisive was elicited. On the morning of the 20th, the Minerva steamer, plying between Liverpool and Kingston, Ran down a merchant brig, called the William Rushton, laden with mahogany, from Mexico. The vessel sank immediately; four of her crew were saved by the Minerva's life-boat, but the remaining seven perished. The accident happened about one o'clock in the morning, during a hard gale; and the brig was not seen from the steamer till it was too late to avoid the collision. The steamer was so much damaged that it was necessary to run her into Beaumaris, where the passengers for Kingston were landed.

On the afternoon of the 21st, the roof of the Brick layers' Arms Station of the South Eastern Railway, in the Old Kent Road, Fell in, burying in the ruins several men and a number of first and second class carriages. Happily there was no passenger train at the station, and most of the workmen were saved from death by the carriages round them. One man, however, named Ryan, was killed, and several others were seriously injured. About six years ago, the roof of a portion of this station fell in with loss of life, and was afterwards reconstructed on a new plan, supposed to be perfectly safe.

SOCIAL, SANITARY, AND MUNICIPAL PROGRESS.

THE Registrar-General has made his Quarterly Return of Marriages, Births and Deaths; comprising the Births and Deaths registered by 2189 registrars in all the districts of England during the Spring quarter ending June 30th, 1850; and the Marriages in more than 12,000 churches or chapels, 2869 registered places of worship unconnected with the Established Church, and 623 superintendent-registrars' offices, in the quarter which ended March 31st, 1850.

The Marriages were 30,425 in the quarter that ended on March 31st, 1850; the marriages in the corresponding quarters of 1847-8-9, were 27,480, 28,398, 28,270. The number of marriages in the first quarter of 1850 was only once exceeded in the 11 corresponding quarters of 1839-49; and the proportion of marriages to population is shown to be much higher in the first quarter of 1850 than in any corresponding quarter since 1839, except in the March quarters of 1845, 1846, when the labouring classes were in full employment.

The Births registered in the quarter that ended March 31, 1850, were 144,602; in the quarter that ended June 30, 155,727. Births are always more numerous in the first than in the second half of the year; and from 1840 to 1845 the births registered in the first quarters were more numerous than those registered in the second quarters of the six years; but in 1846-8-9-50, a change has taken place, and the excess of births has been thrown upon the June quarters. The number of births in the June quarter of 1850 is the greatest ever registered in England in the same time. The annual rate of births is obtained by comparing the number of children born in a given time with the corrected population. It was in the last June quarter 3.489 per cent., which is the same as the rate in the corresponding quarter of 1849; and less than that in the June quarter of 1846; but

Merioneth, and Pembroke) there has been an increase varying from a half to 4 per cent., excepting the Isle of Anglesea, on which the increase has amounted to 23.9 per cent.; a remarkable circumstance which requires explanation.

From a separate Parliamentary Return relative to Ireland it appears that the total number of paupers receiving in-door relief in that country during the week ending July 27th, 1850, was 235,793, the number for the corresponding period in 1849 having been 205,104. The number of persons who received out-door relief during the week ending July 27th, 1850, was 101,486, while the number during the corresponding week of 1849, was 723,530. The cost of the out-door relief for the week in this year was 2,1847.; for the week in last year it was 19,8107.

The Metropolitan Interments Act, recently passed, will be speedily enforced in "the metropolitan burial district," which comprises the city of London, Westminster, Southwark, and numerous parishes set forth in one of the schedules annexed. The provisions of the act are to be executed by the Board of Health. The board may provide new burial-grounds, and her Majesty, on a report of the board, in council, may order the discontinuance of interments in churchyards and other places. Regarding the removal of poor persons to reception-houses to be provided, it is enacted by the 30th section, that the board may, at any time after the passing of the act, appoint medical or other officers, who, in the case of deaths within the district, may, "where the persons having the direction of the funeral of the deceased may so desire," cause the body to be decently removed to one of the houses for the reception of the dead. Among the provisions is one under which the Board of Health 66 may contract" for funerals at fixed charges, so that there are likely to be "three classes" of funerals, according to the means of the parties. The salary of the additional member of the Board of Health (to which office Dr. Southwood Smith has been appointed) is not to exceed 12007. a-year.

The British Association for the Advancement of Science has held its meeting this year at Edinburgh. It commenced its proceedings on the 31st of July. Many distinguished foreigners were present; including Dr. Strüve from the Observatory of Pulkova, Dr. Kupffer from St. Petersburgh, and Professor Hitchcock from Amherst College, United States. Sir David Brewster officiated as President. The transactions were of the usual character, and the meeting broke up on the 7th. The meeting of next year is to be held at Ipswich; and Professor Airy, the Astronomer-Royal, is the President-elect.

At one of the above meetings, Dr. Strang, Chamberlain of Glasgow, read a paper on the recent Progress of Glasgow in population, wealth, commerce and manufactures. In 1801 the population was 77,000; in 1821, 147,043; 1831, 202,426; 1841, 282,134; and in 1850 it was estimated to amount to 367,800. The population had thus quintupled itself in 50 years, and doubled itself in 20 years. In 1800 the streets and roads within the parliamentary bounds of the city extended to 30 miles; at present the formed and paved streets alone extend to 96 miles. In 1800 there was little or no sewerage in Glasgow. At present there are 42 miles of main sewers, 21 of which have been formed during the last six years, at a cost of 12001. per mile. The customs duties in Glasgow, in 1801, were 4697.; in 1820, 11,0007.; in 1830, 59,0137.; in 1840, 468,9747.; and in 1850, 640,568. The letters put into the Post-Office in 1840, were 54,522; while in 1850 they were 111,504. Cotton-spinning was first introduced into Glasgow in 1792, and at present there are 1,800,000 spindles, which annually consume 45,000,000 lbs. of cotton. The increase that has taken place in the assessment for the poor over the whole of Glasgow cannot be determined; but some idea may be formed of it from the state of matters in the old hurgh of Glasgow. In 1784, it was 10827.; in 1816, 12,3787.; and in 1850, 47,7877. Taking the whole parliamentary bounds of the city, the annual assessment for the poor at present is 80,000%.

From a statement lately published, it appears that there are 14,000 Enrolled Friendly Societies in the United Kingdom, having 1,600,000 members, an annual revenue

amounting to 2,800,0007., and an accumulated capital of 6,400,000%. A still greater number of Friendly Societies are not enrolled, and do not possess the privileges and means of self-protection enjoyed by the former class. It is estimated that there are 33,223 unenrolled Societies, in the United Kingdom, having 3,052,000 members, an annual revenue of 4,980,000l., and with funds amounting to no less than 11,360,000. These immense amounts are derived from the savings of the purely industrial classes. Indeed, half of the labouring male adult population are members of Friendly Societies.

The Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland had its great show of prize stock and implements at Glasgow in the last week of July. This society has been formed by the junction of two associations formerly separate, the one representing the landlord and the other the tenant class; and the magnitude and quality of this exhibition showed how well the two bodies work together.

At a Court of Commissioners of Sewers, on the 13th, the scheme of Mr. Frank Forster, the engineer of the Commission, for the Drainage of the Metropolis on the south bank of the Thames, was adopted. The main features of the scheme are, that it proposes to collect the ordinary drainage of the southern part of the Metropolis by four great principal arms, confluent at different points, and which ultimately form a single trunk at Deptford, near Collier Street. Here the stream is "lifted, " by steam power, a height not exceeding twenty-five feet; and from this new elevation it will gravitate afresh to a point eight miles below London Bridge; where will be formed "a double reservoir, capable of holding at least twenty-four hours' drainage" covered over, and elevated to such a height as to discharge the whole of its contents (into the Thames) at highwater, delivering them by means of pipes near the middle and at the bottom of the river. The sewerage will be lifted into the reservoir at this point (by means of an engine) from the main sewer; the invert of which is proposed to be at about mean low-water, and ten feet below the surface of the marshes. The "estimate" of these works is estimated by Mr. Forster at 241,2977.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

On the 6th, the birth-day of Prince Alfred, the Queen and Prince Albert gave a fête to the servants of the royal household, the labourers employed at Osborne, with their wives and families; and the seamen of the royal yacht. They were all entertained at an excellent dinner in a spacious marquee in the grounds; and the evening was gaily spent in dancing, and a great variety of English athletics and other sports. At seven o'clock the Queen and Prince Albert, with the royal family and guests, who had greatly enjoyed the sports of the afternoon, retired amid the cheers of the hundreds assembled.

The Queen left Osborne on the 22nd for a short visit to the king of the Belgians at Ostend. The flotilla consisting of the Victoria and Albert and the Fairy steamyachts, and two war steamers, arrived a little before noon, and her Majesty with Prince Albert and the royal children were met, on landing, by the king, who had arrived to meet them. An immense concourse of people received the illustrious visitors with more than Flemish enthusiasm. The Queen remained at Ostend till the next day, but as the palace there is very small, the royal party slept on board their yacht. returned on the evening of the 23rd to Osborne. His Royal Highness Prince Albert comploted his Thirty-First Year on the 26th, and the anniversary was held with the usual demonstrations of loyalty.

They

Her Majesty left town on the 27th for Scotland. Lord Gough received the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh on the 5th, as an acknowledgment of his eminent military services. He is now enrolled a citizen of the capital of the three kingdoms.

The Duke of Wellington has been appointed Ranger of St. James's and Hyde Parks, in the room of the late Duke of Cambridge.

The late Sir Robert Peel has left directions in his will for the early publication of his political memoirs, and

has ordered that the profits arising from the publication shall be given to some public institution for the education of the working classes. He has confided the task of preparing these memoirs to Lord Mahon and Mr. Cardwell. The will has been proved, and duty paid on personal property under 500,0002.

Sir William Gomm, K. C. B., has been appointed Commander in Chief of the Presidency of Bombay. A grand banquet was given by the East India Company in honour of his appointment on the 10th, at the London Tavern.

Sir George Anderson has been appointed Governor of Ceylon, in the room of Lord Torrington, who is recalled; and Sir George is to be succeeded in the Government of the Mauritius by Mr. Higginson, now Governor of the Leeward Islands.

Her Majesty has appointed Mr. Henry Hardwicke, architect, to be Treasurer of the Royal Academy, in place of Sir Robert Smirke, who has resigned in conse quence of ill health.

Dr. Nicholas Wiseman having been elected a Cardinal, and on the eve of proceeding to Rome to be installed in his new dignity, delivered a farewell sermon at St. George's Cathedral in Westminster Road on Sunday the 11th. A great concourse of the Roman Catholic nobility and gentry were present in the morning, when high mass was celebrated, and the cardinal elect delivered an address, expatiating on the success of Romanism throughout the world, and extolling the zealous labours of the clergy in his own district. In the evening he delivered a second sermon, when many clergymen of the Church of England were present.

Accounts have been received at the Admiralty, from Captain Austin, commander of the Arctic Expedition, dated on board the Resolute, Whale Fish Islands, 23rd of June. No information had been obtained respecting the missing vessels; and the expedition was about to proceed northward to pursue the search. Each ship was provided with provisions, stores, and warm clothing, for fully three years, and the tenders had on board coals to the amount of 310 tons each. The dispatch concludes; "The vessels composing the expedition may be considered in every way efficient and it is with much pleasure and satisfaction that I report, that excellent health and spirits, goodwill, and unanimity prevail throughout."

The election for the County of Mayo terminated on the 27th of July, when Mr. Ouseley Higgins was returned by 141 votes; his competitor, Mr. Isaac Butt, polling 93.

On the 6th the Election for Lambeth terminated in the return of Mr. William Williams, by 3,834 votes. His competitors, Sir Charles Napier and Mr. Hinde Palmer polled, the first 1182, and the second 585 votes. Mr. Fox Maule was elected, on the 1st instant, one of

the Governors of the Charter-house, in room of Sir Robert Peel. Mr. Maule was educated at that seminary.

Obituary of Notable Persons.

LOUIS PHILIPPE, the ex-king of the French, died at Claremont on the 26th. He had been made aware on the preceding day of his approaching dissolution, and died with great calmness and Christian resignation. A little before his death he dictated a conclusion to his Memoirs, which illness had compelled him to suspend for some months. He was born on the 6th of October, 1773, and was the eldest son of Philippe, Duke of Orleans, known adversity, and was for some time a teacher in an academy in by the name of Egalité. During his youth he struggled with Switzerland. By the revolution of 1830 he obtained the crown of France, which he lost by the revolution of 1848. He has ever since lived in retirement in England.

CAPTAIN NEWBOLD, one of the most distinguished of our Indian geographers, died at Mahebuleshwar on the 29th of May. at Neemuch on the 18th of June, in his 63rd year. LIEUT.-COL. T. ROBINSON, the political agent at Meywar, died

SIR JOHN PENISTON MILBANKE, BART., died on the 27th ult., at Halnaby, in Yorkshire. He was son of Mr. J. Milbanke, (second son of the fifth baronet), and was born on the 20th of August, 1775. In March, 1826, he succeeded his uncle, Sir Ralph, whose only daughter married Lord Byron. county Limerick, in the 69th year of his age. His lordship's The EARL OF DUNRAVEN died on the 6th inst., at Adare Abbey, malady was chronic suppurative disease of the windpipe. He is succeeded by his son, Viscount Adare, M.P. for Glamorganshire.

SIR LAUNCELOT SHADWELL, Vice-Chancellor of England, died on the morning of the 10th, in his 71st year. His death was caused by an attack of paralysis, under which he laboured for a

month.

THE HONOURABLE CHARLES EWAN LAW, Recorder of the City of London, died on the 13th, in his 58th year. He was the second son of the first Lord Ellenborough, and brother to the present Earl. He had represented the University of Cambridge in parliament for seventeen years.

13th. He was a man of much accomplishment, of great taste in PERCIVAL WELDON BANKS, M.A., barrister-at-law, died on the literature, to which (in the various periodicals of the last fifteen years) he had largely contributed, and he was making progress in his profession.

M. DE BALZAC, the popular novelist, died at Paris on the 18th. Hunt, died on the 15th, at his apartment in the Charterhouse. MR. ROBERT HENRY HUNT, the elder brother of Mr. Leigh He had lately received Her Majesty's nomination to the brotherhood of that foundation, and had only resided there for a few weeks. He was in his 77th year, and had for some time been quite helpless, owing to his having been accidentally run over about a year ago.

SIR MARTIN ARCHER SHEE, President of the Royal Academy, died, at Brighton, on the 19th, in his 80th year. He was elected

to the above office in 1830, on the death of Sir Thomas Lawrence, when he received the honour of knighthood. He retired in 1845 from the active duties of the office, which have been since performed by Mr. Turner.

MR. J. H. LEY, Clerk of the House of Commons, died on the 21st. He was appointed an assistant-clerk of the house in has been in the service of the House of Commons without inter1801, and raised to that of principal clerk in 1821; so that he mission for forty-nine years. He was a Bencher of the MiddleTemple, and a magistrate for the County of Devon.

The Overland Mail has brought dates from Calcutta, July 2nd; Madras, July 9th; Hong-kong, June 23rd; and Alexandria, August 7th. The most remarkable article of intelligence is the resignation of Sir Charles Napier, the Commander in Chief, who is to leave India in October. The cause is said to have been a misunderstanding with the Governor General. Sir Charles had issued some general orders respecting military arrange

ments without previously consulting the government; a dispute ensued which ended in the Commander in Chief's resignation. It is supposed the matter will be brought before parliament. Both the Governor General and Sir Charles Napier were at Simla.-The whole of British India remains quite tranquil; and the public attention in all presidencies is much occupied with the subject of railways; various new lines being in agitation.