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of concerting measures for ascertaining the question, how far they were entitled by law to parochial relief. A schoolmaster and a writer's clerk were in the company, the rest were, apparently, very poor people. Seven more men of the last description were taken up by warrants in the course of the night, and another on Sunday, making in all twenty-six.

27. Attempt at Rescue.-On Tuesday, the 25th instant, two men were apprehended in Anderston, and committed to jail under similar charges with the above. On their way to prison, near the Broomielaw, a considerable crowd collected, who attempted a rescue. The soldiers were obliged to fire, but no person was hurt. Three of the ringleaders of this mob were apprehended, and also lodged in jail.

28.-Petition of the Livery.-A meeting of the Livery of London was held in the Common Hall, for the purpose of petitioning parliament against the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, when Mr Waithman, in a long speech, declared it as his opinion, that there were no grounds to warrant such an encroachment upon the liberty of the subject; and after ridiculing the contents of the green bag, and the alarm which they had excited, a petition, founded upon resolutions which had been proposed by Mr Favell, was unanimously agreed to. A similar petition was also unanimously agreed to be presented to the House of Lords.

MARCH.

1.-New Village.-The Earl of Fife has generously offered to settle on his estates various families of the western islands, who were ready to emigrate to America; and we observe, with pleasure, that he is building a new village near Keith, where every encouragement is offered to the settlers.

General Assembly.-The Right Hon. Lord Napier having retired from the office of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Hon. the Earl of Errol is appointed to that high station.

3.-Violent Gale.-This morning it blew a strong gale of wind from the W.N.W. It was high water at Leith 34 minutes past two in the morning, about which time the tide ran strong into the harbour; for which several vessels were obliged to make, owing to the violence of the gale; some attempting to go out at the same time, they ran foul of each other, and great confusion and damage ensued. Out of ten vessels thus circumstanced, no less than five sunk at the Ferry-boat Stairs, and, it is feared, will be totally wrecked. Several small boats were also dashed to pieces, but happily no lives were lost.

3.-Deaf and Dumb Institution.-The annual general meeting of the members of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, and public examination of its pupils, took place in the Assembly Rooms on Monday, 24th, ult.

The proficiency of the pupils, forty-eight in number, in all the branches of education, was calculated to give universal satisfaction; and it is scarcely possible to imagine a more truly gratifying spectacle, than the exhibition of so many young persons, rescued from the most deplorable state of infirmity and privation, and introduced, by the exertions of enlightened benevolence, to all the usefulness and comforts of social life, and to the enjoyments, the hopes, and the consolations of rational and immortal beings.

4.-Hoarding of Silver.Lately, an old man, apparently poor, with a very clownish gait, was observed walking to and fro before the British Linen Company's bank at Dumfries; after considerable hesitation he ventured in, and inquired for "the head o' the house."" I am the head of the house," said Mr C.; "what was it you wanted ?""I want to ken gif ye hae power to tak the auld siller ?"" Oh yes, I take the old silver; how much have you? perhaps five pounds ?"" I hae mair than that I hae five hunner punds!"

5.-Curious Fact in Natural History. Some time ago, at Lochmaben, two crows, which had been accustomed to build on the same tree, being considered troublesome by consuming the seed-corn, were ordered to be shot. Immediately after, a number of crows assembled, and made a considerable noise, apparently communicating with one another. Two of their number were then deputed to attend the young brood belonging to the crows which had been killed, and which duty they diligently performed, and brought the young ones to maturity.

5.-Robbery of the Mail.-On the 3d instant, the mail between Edinburgh and Stirling was robbed of a parcel containing bank notes amounting to £5000. The robbery must have been committed by three men, who had previously taken places. The parcel was safely lodged in the coach; and one of the men, having a greatcoat thrown over his arm, got into the coach, and was shortly after followed by the others, who did not appear to have any knowledge of each other. Just before the mail started, the man who first entered said, that he had forgotten certain papers and documents, without which it would be fatal to his interest to proceed on his journey, and he quitted the coach with his coat across his arm in the same manner as he entered it, taking with him, however, (as it is supposed) the parcel concealed under his coat. other persons quitted the coach before its arrival at Stirling, at which place the notes were made payable, and where the robbery was discovered. Notwithstanding the most diligent search, by officers from Bow Street and Edinburgh, no traces of the delinquents have yet been found.

The

6.-Melancholy Accident.-On Sunday afternoon, the 2d instant, as Mr Perry, manager at Messrs Todd & Shortridge's printfield, with two boys, his children, was

crossing the Leven in a boat, the chain, which is fastened on cach bank, became entangled with the bow, and the boat shipped water and sunk. Mr Perry seized his children, and for some minutes supported them in his arms. He was, however, compelled to quit them, and make for the shore; but he became exhausted, and shared the melancholy fate of his children.

7-Extraordinary Mendicant.-A man of the name of Brookes, who had for many years subsisted by begging in the borough of Southwark, lately died, worth upwards of £4000 in land and houses. Several years ago, he purchased, in another person's name, a landed estate in the neighbourhood of Woolwich-fearing, that if he had it conveyed to himself, it might take wind, and altogether destroy his favourite pursuit of mendicity. At the time of his demise, there were four new houses, but not nearly finished, in the Borough-road, which were built with his money, but were prevented from being finished by an accident of a very serious result, and produced entirely by his original attachment to deception. The builder over-reached him in the contract; and, after obtaining £1200 of his money, refused to finish them, which preyed so strongly on his mind, that, in a fit of despair, he put an end to his life by firing a pistol into his mouth.

Employment of the Poor. The Board of Agriculture, considering the public benefit which would result from increasing the employment of the agricultural poor at this juncture, and being desirous that as much information as possible should be collected and made known to the public, have resolved to give the following premiums:

To the person who shall draw up, and produce to the Board, the best essay on the means of employing the unoccupied and industrious poor-the gold medal, or one hundred pounds: to be produced on or be fore the 1st March 1818.

To the person who shall, during the spring of 1817, cause to be dug by hand, for the production of any crop of corn or pulse, turnips or cabbages, the greatest number of acres, not less than ten, never dug before, the gold medal, or fifty pounds.

For the next greatest number, not less than five-twenty-five pounds.

Certificates of the space of land dug, sort of soil, and depth, and for what crop, and the produce thereof, to be produced on or before the 1st day of March 1818.

10.-Commitments at Glasgow. After a long and patient examination before the Sheriff, fourteen persons have been committed for trial, on the charge of conspiring against the government, and taking an unlawful oath. Of those formerly in custody, two have been liberated on bail; namely, an auctioneer's porter and a weaver. Another bookseller has been examined, on a charge of publishing seditious pamphlets, and admitted to bail. Orders have been

given to fit up proper apartments in Edinburgh castle for their reception, to which place they are to be removed.

Gas-light Company.-Arrangements have been made for the establishment of a gaslight company in this city, and we have to congratulate our fellow-citizens on the near prospect of a great improvement being made in the lighting of the streets. Political economists are not, however, agreed, whether or not the advantages arising from the general use of gas-lights are sufficient to counterbalance the evil that will arise from the corresponding diminution of maritime employment in the whale fishery.

10.-Meeting at Manchester.On Monday the 3d instant, a meeting was held at Manchester, previous to which it was intimated, that the numbers to be collected on that day would proceed to London, to present a petition to the Prince Regent, for the purpose of "undeceiving him." Placards were stuck up, and handbills distributed. The people of Stockport were invited to join those of Manchester on Lancashire Hill. It was insinuated, that 25,000 stand of arms at Birmingham might be secured. The arrivals in the course of the day could not be less than from 60 to 70,000. Early in the morning, the streets of Manchester were crowded by thousands, of whom a great part were prepared with blankets and bundles for the march to London. A temporary stage was erected upon a cart at the place of assembly, and the instigators of the meeting appeared upon it about nine o'clock, and delivered harangues of the most inflammatory kind. Members poured in in shoals every minute, when it was deemed necessary to call in the civil and military power, as had been previously arranged by the magistrates, in conjunction with Sir John Byng, the commander of the district and by a quick movement, the cart was completely surrounded, and all who were upon the stage were conveyed to prison. About 200 have been apprehended; and after the judicious and compassionate permission of the magistrates, in suffering these poor deluded people to procure lodgings for the night, they quietly returned to their homes next morning, without further alarm to the country or peril to themselves.

Meeting of Catholics.-At an aggregate meeting of Roman Catholics, held in Clarendon Street chapel, on 6th March, resolutions were passed, declaring their decided and conscientious conviction, that any power granted to the Crown of Great Britain, of interfering, directly or indirectly, in the appointment of bishops for the Roman Catholic church in Ireland, must essentially injure, and may eventually subvert, the Roman Catholic religion in this country. That they should not receive as a boon any portion of civil liberty, accompanied by that which the Catholic prelates and people of Ireland have condemned as essentially injurious, and probably destructive, to their

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18 4 36-100ths' A half-crown, 9 2 18-100ths A shilling, 3 15 3-11ths A sixpence, 1 19 7-11ths 12.-Hampshire Meeting.-A meeting took place yesterday at Winchester, in consequence of a requisition to the High Sheriff. A loyal, constitutional, and dutiful address was moved by Sir C. Ogle, which accorded with the views and sentiments of the great and respectable body of the people of Hampshire. An amendment was moved by Lord Cochrane. Mr Cobbett and Mr Hunt both attempted to speak, but they were violently assailed with hisses and groans, and were forced to quit the field without a single huzza from the people.

Mildew. The Rev. William Elliot, of Bishop's Stortford, Herts, and Mr James Leader, of Dunmow, Essex, have lately addressed the public through a contemporary print, in recommendation of a friend of theirs, a gentleman of family and respectability, who has made one of the most important discoveries ever yet offered to the agricultural world; no less than a prevention of the mildew in wheat, with invariable certainty. He professes to be able to mildew one land of wheat, and prevent the adjoining one from all such infection. He has, in conversation, told several farmers, while looking over their crops, that he is in possession both of the cause and cure of mildew. The method and expense quite within any man's reach. A remuneration is expected, but not until after absolute conviction of success.

17.-Grand Duke Nicholas.-The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, accompanied by the Duke of Devonshire and several other distinguished personages, embarked at Dover this morning, on board the Royal Sovereign yacht, for the continent. His Imperial Highness had been several months in the country, which he employed in visiting the principal manufacturing towns, and inspecting the most distinguished public establishments of the kingdom. He arrived in Edinburgh on the 16th of December, and was received with all the honours due to his high rank. After remaining here a week, his Imperial Highness set off for Glasgow, visiting the iron-works at Carron

&c. on his way. He returned to London by the western road, passing through Carlisle and the principal towns in that quarter. The agreeable manners of this prince rendered him very popular in this part of the kingdom, and he was pleased to express, on different occasions, his high satisfaction with the reception that he had everywhere experienced.

20.Commitments to the Castle.-Nine persons, apprehended at Glasgow, on suspicion of treasonable practices, have been lodged in Edinburgh castle, the gates of which are shut, and the sentinels have orders to exclude all but those belonging to, or having business with, the garrison.

Melville's Monument. We hear that the committee of subscribers for erecting a mo nument to the memory of the late Lord Viscount Melville have fixed upon the north-east corner of the Calton Hill, exactly overlooking the excise-office, and in the line of George Street-a most excellent situation for such a structure. On Wednesday last, in consequence of an application to the Town Council by the committee, for liberty to build on this spot, they unanimously agreed to their request.

Bonaparte.-A gentleman named Wallis, who touched at St Helena on the 9th of December last, in the ship Fanny of London, states, that the following is a correct account of the provisions allowed Bonaparte and his attendants, which he receives daily from Messrs Balcombe & Co. who are appointed by Government to be his purveyors, viz.

6 bottles claret 19 do. Cape do. 6 do. Teneriffe 1 do. Madeira

1 do. Constantia

30 eggs

8 lb. butter 2 lb. lard 2 lb. coffee lb. tea

25 loaves bread, 5 lb. 5 lb. moist sugar flour 2 lb. white do. Vegetables to £1.

65 lb. beef 36 lb. mutton 6 fowls

1 goose or turkey

Fruit 10s. Sweetmeats 8s. 35 candles;

With a proportion of pepper, salt, oil, and mustard; the whole amounting to about £174 in fourteen days.

Curious Case.At the Lincoln assizes, in an action, Wright v. Jessop, the plaintiff, an apothecary of Bottesford, sought to recover from the defendant, a bachelor of opulence, residing near Lincoln, £787, 18s. for medicine and attendance during twentyfive years. By the statement of the plaintiff's counsel, it appeared that the defendant was of a hypochondriacal turn, and had taken pills for a great number of years: he used to have from 600 to 2000 pills sent to him at a time, and in one year he took 51,000! being at the rate of 150 a-day. There were also thousands of bottles of mixture. From the ravenous propensity of the patient for physic, it was deemed necessary to call in two physicians, who, inquiring of the defendant what was the course of medicin

and nourishment he pursued through the day, answered as follows:" At half-past two o'clock in the morning, I take two spoonfuls and a half of jalap, and then a quantity of electuary; then I sleep till seven, and repeat the dose of both jalap and electuary at nine o'clock I take 14 pills of No 9, and 11 pills of No 10, to whet my appetite for breakfast; at breakfast I eat a basin of milk; at eleven I have an acid and alkali mixture; afterwards I have a bolus; and at nine at night I have an anodyne mixture, and go to sleep." After some progress had been made in the evidence, a compromise took place, the plaintiff accepting a verdict for £450.

Old Coins. A farmer at Bar-le-Duc, in France, digging lately near the trunk of an old tree, found seven pieces of large gold coin, which bear the effigy of James VI. king of Scotland (afterwards James I. of England). These were in circulation at Bar, during the residence of James II. of England there, in 1712.

The ploughman of Mr H. Land, of Sea Street, Hearne, in Kent, last week ploughed up, in one of his master's fields, a guinea coined in the reign of Charles II. in high preservation. Money of this denomination was first coined by that monarch, and called a Guinea, from being made of gold imported from the part of the African coast which goes by that name.

24-Boat upset.-About one o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday, the 13th instant, as two fishing boats, belonging to the East Haven, were making for the Bell Rock towards Arbroath, one of them, in consequence of carrying too great a press of sail, run down, a short distance from that harbour, and the whole crew, consisting of six persons, were committed to the mercy of the waves, and one person only was saved.

A hard Law.At the Lincoln Assizes, Wm Nubert, and Ann, his wife, were tried for a burglary. The evidence was clear, but Nubert declared he did it by the persuasion of his wife, which she acknowledged, declaring, "I am the wretched cause of his committing the robbery, and if I only could be hanged I should be satisfied." The judge observed, that, in point of law, Ann Nubert could not be convicted of this crime, for, as she acted with her husband, the law regarded her as acting under his coercion. "You and I, who are married men (said his lordship to the jury), know that this presumption of the law is often wrong, and that the husband is too often coerced by the wife. (A laugh.) I believe I have made myself intelligible, though perhaps my information may not be very palatable; it is not our business to inquire why the law is so, but it is our duty to act as it requires; and therefore, gentlemen, you must acquit the female prisoner." The jury accordingly acquitted the wife, and found William Nubert guilty.

27.-The Highland Society.—The HighVOL. I.

land Society of London, on the 21st instant, met to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Alexandria, in the Freemason's Tavern. This meeting was the most numerous and splendid, without exception, of any which ever took place. The chieftains, and most of the members, wore Highland dresses, richly ornamented, which had a most splendid and characteristic appearance. The Duke of York took the chair as president, supported by the Dukes of Argyle and Athol, the Marquis of Huntly, and a number of noblemen and gentlemen connected with the Highlands. The gallery was filled with an assemblage of beauty, from the first families in the country, many of them in the Highland costume. His Royal Highness the Duke of York, after two or three of the national toasts had been given in Gaelic and English, explained, in a short address, the occasion on which they were assembled,

viz. to present, from the Highland Society, a piece of plate to the 42d Regiment, or Royal Highlanders, as an acknowledgment of the high sense entertained by the Society of the distinguished services of that regiment; and added, it was with peculiar satisfaction that, in the discharge of his duty as chairman of the meeting, he now addressed himself to the Marquis of Huntly, its noble commander, on whom, and on the conduct of the regiment in the various parts of the world in which they had been engaged, his Royal Highness passed an animated encomium. His Royal Highness then presented to the Noble Marquis a richly chased silver tripod, with fluted bowl; the legs of the tripod were ornamented with thistle foliage, and altogether adorned with appropriate emblems. The Marquis of Huntly, in returning thanks to his Royal Highness and the society, said it could not but be highly gratifying to himself, and the other officers of the regiment of Royal Highlanders, that, in so numerous and respectable a body as he saw assembled there that day, his Royal Highness, as commander in chief, had spoken of the regiment in such flattering terms. The vase having been presented, the Duke of York resigned the chair to the Duke of Argyle, who is president for the year. A number of noblemen and gentlemen were admitted as members. When the Duke of Argyle withdrew, the chair was taken by the Marquis of Huntly, who kept up that spirit of conviviality characteristic of a Highland meeting, to a late hour on Saturday morning. Every thing was conducted according to the ancient banquetting of feudal times. The great cup of friendly pledge went round the hall. The whisky was drank out of the shell. A celebrated piper struck up "The Gathering," as the head of each clan was toasted, whilst Gow's band roused the company with those national airs which make the heart light.

28. Cobbett's Departure.-A letter from Liverpool, dated the 26th instant, says, that "Mr Cobbett and his two sons are arrived 2 E

here and have taken their passage for New York, in the Imported, Captain Hall. She sails to-morrow, if the wind permits, and is full of passengers.

29.Ancient Coins.-There have been lately found in the ancient manor of Ulchester, Northumberland, nearly 1000 silver coins, which appear to be pennies of the reigns of Stephen and Henry II.

29.-True Highlanders. Among the addresses published in the last London gazette to the Prince Regent, in consequence of the late atrocious insult offered to his person, is one from the Society of True Highlanders, in the Gaelic tongue. It is headed, " Fame acquired by valour, the triumph of True Highlanders," and is signed by Colonel A. Macdonnel of Glengary.

29.-Launch of the Agincourt.-The Agincourt, a fine new seventy-four, was launched from Plymouth-yard on Wednesday last. It is remarkable, that she is the only seventy-four that has been launched

from this yard for fifty years, which circumstance, added to the fineness of the weather, drew together an unusual concourse of spectators; and the ceremony of consigning her to the waves was performed with all that coolness, regularity, and precision, which ever mark such occasions in this kingdom.

31.-Sudden Deaths. On Saturday afternoon, a woman dropped down dead in one of the streets of Leith; and about three hours after, a porter, who had been relating the circumstance in a shop on the shore, also suddenly dropped down, and instantly expired.

31.-The Theatre.-On Saturday night, the 29th instant, Mr Kemble took his final leave of the Edinburgh audience in Macbeth; on which occasion he delivered a farewell address, written by Mr Walter Scott. The house overflowed to witness the last performance (here) of this great actor, and it was not easy to determine whether the emotion of the audience or of Mr Kemble predominated.

BRITISH LEGISLATION.

Acts passed in the 57th Year of the Reign of George III. or in the Fifth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the United Kingdom.

CAP. I. To continue and extend the Provisions of an Act of the Forty-ninth Year of his present Majesty, for regulating the Trade and Commerce to and from the Cape of Good Hope, until the 5th day of July 1820; and also for regulating the Trade of the Island of Mauritius.-Feb. 24, 1817.

Trade to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, to be regulated by Order in Council. -Goods imported or exported contrary to Order in Council, forfeited, as also the vessels.East India Company's rights not to be effected.

CAP. II. For raising the Sum of TWENTY-FOUR MILLIONS, by Exchequer Bills, for the Service of the Year 1817.-Feb. 24. The Treasury may raise £24,000,000 by Exchequer Bills, in like manner as is prescribed by 48 GEO. III. cap. I.-Treasury to apply the money so raised.-To be payable out of the Supplies for the next Session. -To bear an interest not exceeding 34d. per cent. per diem.-To be current at the Exchequer after April 5, 1818.Bank of England may advance £15,000,000 on the credit of this Act, notwithstanding the Act 5 and 6 Gul. & Mariæ.

CAP. III. To empower his Majesty to secure and detain such Persons as his Majesty shall suspect are conspiring against his Person and Government.-March 4.

That all, or any person or persons, that are or shall be in prison within that part of the United Kingdom called Great Britain,

at or upon the day on which this Act shall receive his Majesty's royal assent, or after, by warrant of his said Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, signed by six of the said Privy Council, for high treason, suspicion of high treason, or treasonable practices, or by warrant signed by any of his Majesty's Secretaries of State, for such causes as aforesaid, may be detained in safe custody, without bail or mainprize, until the 1st day of July 1817; and that no judge or justice of the peace shall bail or try any such person or persons so committed, without order from his said Majesty's Privy Council, signed by six of the said Privy Council, until the 1st day of July 1817; any law or statute to the contrary notwithstanding.Act in Scotland of 1701, so far as relates to treason suspended.-Persons committed there not to be tried, &c. without such order as aforesaid,-From and after the 1st day of July 1817, the said persons so committed, shall have the benefit and advantage of all laws and statutes in any way relating to, or providing for, the liberty of the subjects of this realm.—Privileges of Members of Parliament not invalidated.Persons against whom indictments for high treason are already found, to be tried thereon.-The Secretary of State may order persons committed to be removed to any other gaol; but persons so removed, are not to be deprived of right to be tried or discharged.

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