land. The number of homicides, which in the six months ending Oct. 1846 was 68, had risen for the six months ending Oct. 1847 to 96. For the corresponding period the number of attempts on life by firing at the person had risen from 55 to 126; robberies of arms from 207 to 530; and the firing of dwellings from 51 to 116. During the last month the total number of these four classes of offences The amounted to 195 over all Ireland. counties of Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary furnished 139-the amount of crime in these counties being 71 per cent. of the whole of Ireland, while the population was only 13 per cent. Sir George proposed to give power to the Lord Lieutenant to proclaim districts; to increase the number of the police-officers by draughts from Dublin; to prohibit the carrying of arms, except in special cases for the protection of the person; and in the districts where murders were committed to have the power of calling out all males between sixteen and sixty to assist in capturing the assassins.

30. The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the causes of the recent commercial distress, and as to the extent it was affected by the law regulating the issue of banknotes payable on demand. After a debate of three nights the House assented to the proposal. The Lords also nominated a committee on the same subject.

In reply to Mr. Urquhart, Lord Palmerston states that her Majesty's Government were ready, in conjunction with the other Powers, to offer friendly offices for the purpose of adjusting differences in Switzerland, but Great Britain would not be a party to any forcible interference.

December 1.-T. Carlyle enriches Fraser of this month with thirty-five unpublished letters of Oliver Cromwell placed at his disposal with extraordinary precaution and some mystery by an unknown correspondent, who at the opening of the correspondence possessed, but subsequently destroyed, the originals.

3.-Oxford Convocation resolves, by a majority of 52 to 10, to petition against the admission of Jews into Parliament. A proposal to petition against the elevation of Dr. Hampden to the see of Hereford was thrown out by the veto of the Vice-Chancellor.

5.-Six British residents attacked and slaughtered at Hwang-chu-Kee, a village four miles above Canton, whither they had gone in a small boat. The bodies were afterwards recovered, and four of the ringleaders executed.

6. Mr. Salomons elected Alderman for the ward of Cordwainers, being the first Jew who held this dignity in the City of London.

The Bishop of St. Asaph presents a petition to the House of Lords complaining of the annual importation into Ireland of the Papal bull "In Coena Domini." Lord Beaumont recommended the establishment of diplomatic

relations with Rome as a means of removing anomalies like that complained of.

7. Mr. Feargus O'Connor's motion, "to inquire and report on the means by which the dissolution of the Parliament of Ireland was effected, on the effects of that measure on Ire land, and the probable consequences of continuing the legislative union," rejected by 255 votes to 23.

8.-Lord John Russell writes to the Bishops of London, Winchester, and other protesters against the appointment of Dr. Hampden to the see of Hereford: "I observe that your lordships do not state any want of confidence on your part in the soundness of Dr. Hamp den's doctrine. Your lordships refer me to a decree of the University of Oxford passed eleven years ago, and founded upon lectures delivered fifteen years ago. Since the date of that decree Dr. Hampden has acted as Regius Professor of Divinity. The University of Oxford, and many bishops, as I am told, have required certificates of attendance on his lectures before they proceeded to ordain candidates who had received their education at Oxford. He has likewise preached sermons for which he has been honoured with the approbation of several prelates of our Church. Several months before I named Dr. Hampden to the Queen for the see of Hereford, I signified my intention to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and did not receive from him any discouragement. In these circumstances it appears to me that, should I withdraw my recommendation of Dr. Hampden, which has been sanctioned by the Queen, I should virtually assent to the doctrine that a decree of the University of Oxford is a perpetual bar of exclusion against a clergyman of eminent learning and irreproachable life, and that, in fact, the supremacy which is now by law vested in the Crown is to be transferred to a majority of the members of one of the Universities: nor should it be forgotten that many of the most prominent of that majority have since joined the communion of the Church of Rome. I deeply regret the feeling which is said to be common among the clergy on this subject. But I cannot sacrifice the reputation of Dr. Hampden, the rights of the Crown, and what I believe to be the true interests of the Church, to a feeling which I believe to be founded on misapprehension and fomented by prejudice." In answer to another remonstrance from "certain lay members of the Church of England," Lord John Russell writes: "The consequences with which I am threatened I am prepared to encounter, as I believe the appointment will tend to strengthen the Protestant character of our Church, so seriously threatened of late by many defections to the Church of Rome. Among the chief of these defections are to be found the leading promoters of the movement against Dr. Hampden eleven years ago in the University of Oxford. I had hoped the conduct of Dr. Hampden as

Regius Professor of Divinity, and head of a theological Board at Oxford, had effaced the memory of that unworthy proceeding." Similar sentiments were expressed by the Bishop of Norwich (Dr. Stanley). The Bishop of Exeter condemned the appointment, and defended the proceedings of the remonstrant prelates. Dr. Hampden defended himself in a pamphlet addressed to Lord John Russell.

10. In answer to Sir R. Inglis, Lord Palmerston states that Lord Minto had not been sent to Rome in any official capacity.

Resigning his seat at Stockport to-day, Mr. Cobden defended the effect of free trade on the commerce of the country, and argued strongly in favour of greater economy being observed in the naval and military service. The remarks he made being misapprehended in some quarters, Mr. Cobden took another opportunity of explaining his views on these points at the nomination of a Free Trade candidate for South Lancashire at Newton-in-theWillows on the 20th.

13. The Irish Coercion Bill read a third time in the House of Commons. It was taken to the House of Lords immediately afterwards.

14. Mr. Horsman's motion, censuring the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for not carrying out the provisions of the Act of Parliament regarding episcopal incomes, defeated by a majority of 130 to 65.

16. Thomas Sale and George M'Coy, coopers, tried at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Mr. Bellchambers on the morning of the 11th October last. They were found guilty, partly on evidence furnished by M'Coy when in prison, and sentenced to be executed. Some doubt arising as to the actual participation of M'Coy in the murder, although there could be none as to subsequent guilty knowledge, his sentence was commuted to transportation for life. Sale was exccuted on the 10th of January.

So

17.-Lord John Russell's resolution in favour of the admission of Jews into Parliament carried by a majority of 253 to 186. Mr. Disraeli spoke on the first evening of debate, pressing the claims of the Jew on the ground of his near affinity to the Christian. far, he said, as religion could be a sanction of conduct or a security for public morality, they had in the religion of the Jew the best sanction in the world, except that given by the faith of the Christian. A bill founded on the resolutions was introduced and read a first time on the 20th, when Colonel Sibthorp gravely objected to the measure on the ground that Jews were not likely to take their share of legislative work on Fridays or Saturdays.

East India Company, and others, charged with having fraudulently obtained and sold for money a cadetship in the East India Company's service. In order to procure a cadetship for his son, Mr. Wotherspoon, W.S. Edinburgh, remitted 1,100l. to a Mrs. Stewart in London. Through one Trotter, she obtained an introduction to Captain Charretie, and through him she reached Sir William Young, a director. Trotter received 50/. for his aid; the balance of Wotherspoon's remittance was paid to Charretie, who gave Mrs. Stewart a note from Sir William, stating that he would have much pleasure in making the appointment in November. The appointment was then made, and the young man went out to Madras. The suspicions of the Court of Directors being excited regarding various recent appointments to cadetships, a strict inquiry took place, and the result was the present trial. Against Captain Charretie the jury returned a general verdict of guilty; but against Sir William Young the verdict was guilty on the second count only, charging a conspiracy to obtain the appointment by sale.

Died at Parma, aged 56, Maria Louisa, Archduchess of Parma, widow of the Emperor Napoleon Buonaparte. After his death the Archduchess married first the Count de Niepperg, and then the Count de Bourbelles, who survived her, and died in obscurity at Versailles in 1856.

20. Her Majesty's steam-frigate Avenger wrecked on the Sorelle rocks, on the north coast of Africa. She had on board 270 persons, including crew and supernumeraries, all of whom were drowned, with the exception of a lieutenant and four men. The frigate, commanded by a stepson of Admiral Napier, appeared to have been carried out of her course by a current.

Parliament adjourns its sittings till Feb. 3. 21.-In conformity with an intimation given by Prince Metternich to other Powers, Austria begins to increase her army in Lombardy: Parma was occupied to-day, and Modena and Reggio on the 22d. General Radetzky's army, 60,000 strong, was also known to be moving in large masses towards the frontier of the Italian States.

23. Abd-el-Kader surrenders to General Lamoricière, on condition of being sent to Alexandria or St. Jean d'Acre. In defiance of this stipulation the Emir was sent with his family and attendants to France, and detained a prisoner, first at Toulon, and then in the Château d'Amboise.

Owing to differences with his party on the Jew bill and other measures, Lord George Bentinck, in a letter to Mr. Bankes, intimates his resignation of the Protectionist leadership which had been formerly temporarily assumed by him, "waiting till the country should have the opportunity of sending to Parliament other men, better fitted by ability and talents, and better

suited by more universal sympathy with all the feelings of the great Protestant party, to lead the country gentlemen of England.”

24. Died at Copenhagen, aged 64, Professor Finn Magnusen, a distinguished Danish antiquary.

25.-Lord John Russell to the Dean of Hereford :-"I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 22d inst., in which you intimate to me your intention of violating the law. I have the honour to be your obedient servant," &c.

26.-A Reform banquet held at Rouen, attended by 1,800 persons. About this time other Reform dinners on a large scale were held throughout the provinces, at which the usual toast of the King's health was omitted.

Died, aged 85, the Earl of Harrowby, President of the Council under Lord Liverpool in 1812.

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27.-The Times publishes another remonstrance from the Dean of Hereford against the elevation of Dr. Hampden to that see: Having fully counted the cost, having weighed the sum of bounden duty in the one scale against the consequence in the other, I have come to the deliberate resolve that on Tuesday next no earthly consideration shall induce me to give my vote in the Chapter of Hereford Cathedral for Dr. Hampden's elevation to the see of Hereford."

Sir George Grey replied: "I have had the honour to lay the same before the Queen, and I am to inform you that her Majesty has not been pleased to issue any commands thereupon."

An address bearing the signatures of nearly seven hundred of the clergy and laity of London, and several statesmen of distinction, presented to Dr. Hampden at Christchurch, Oxford, by Dr. Jeune, Master of Pembroke, and a deputation. The address congratulated Dr. Hampden on his advancement, and expressed entire confidence in the soundness of his theological opinions, as well as his special fitness for the weighty responsibilities of the episcopal office. Another address from fifteen heads of houses in Oxford University also expressed confidence in Dr. Hampden's theological opinions, and concern at the reports circulated against him.

--

- Lord Palmerston, differing from M. Guizot as to the right of any of the guaranteeing Powers to occupy Switzerland in the event of disturbance among the Cantons, writes to the Marquis of Normanby at Paris: "The Government of her Majesty deems it of the highest importance to the general interests of Europe, as well as the honour of the five Powers, that those engagements should be strictly and literally observed; that as long as Switzerland abstains from any acts at variance with its character of neutrality the inviolability of its territories ought to be respected, and consequently that no foreign troops ought to penetrate those territories; that the liberty of

an

Switzerland and its independence of all foreign influence ought to be maintained, and consequently that no foreign Power ought to seek to exercise a dictatorial authority in matters relating to the internal affairs of the Confederation. No doubt if the Swiss were to assume aggressive attitude with regard to their neighbours, the neutrality and inviolability guaranteed to Switzerland could not shield them from the responsibility of their aggressions. But at this moment the Swiss have not committed any such act of aggression. The Go vernment of her Majesty is therefore of the opinion that the guarantee contained in the declaration of the 20th of November, 1815, subsists in full force, and that it ought to be observed and respected by all the Powers which took part in that convention."

28. The French Chambers opened by the King, who expressed a hope that "the progress of general civilization will be everywhere accomplished by a good understanding between governments and people, without impairing internal order and the good relations between states. He also intimated that the Duc d'Aumale had been appointed to the command in Algeria.

Election of Dr. Hampden to the see of Hereford. Dean Merewether protested against the election being proceeded with till due inquiry had been made into the charges preferred against Dr. Hampden by the University of Oxford, or till the Crown presented some more suitable person to the see. He also protested against the proceedings of that day so far as persons voted who were merely honorary prebendaries, and had not complied with the statutes of the Church; and because it was necessary that the dean should be included in the majority. The vote stood: for Dr. Hampden, three canons residentiary, five prebendaries of the old order, and six of the junior order; against, the dean, and one canon residentiary, Dr. Huntingford.

The Bishop of Oxford explains that though he had signed the remonstrance against Dr. Hampden, and even for a time granted "letters of request " against him as his diocesan, yet such explanations had since been given concerning the disputed passages in his writings as might well suffice to quiet all just alarm at his consecration to the office of a bishop.

30.-Replying to an address from certain clergymen in Bedfordshire, approving of the elevation of Dr. Hampden, Lord John Russell writes: "Let us not mistake our position : the Church is not in that easy security of the last century which gave birth to so much negligence, to so much abuse of her wealth, to so much apathy. The Church of Rome on the one side, with abundant knowledge, with imposing authority, seduces many to her com munion. The right of private judgment is by many avoided as a dangerous snare; the duty of private judgment is thrown off by many more as too heavy a burthen. On the other

side, the Protestant Dissenter assails the Church established as an engine for fettering the conscience and taxing the property of the subject. Novelties have their charm: the High Churchman and the Independent speak alike with complacency of separating Church and State. I know no better security against such a danger than an able and learned Episcopal bench, a zealous and God-fearing parochial clergy. Thus may the Reformation be defended; thus may the Establishment be maintained; otherwise neither Parliament nor præmunire can beat off the assailants of our Church constitution."

31.-Died, aged 70, Madame Adelaide, Princess of Orleans, sister of King Louis Philippe.

1848.

January 1.-The Kaffir War terminated by the surrender of several of the most powerful chiefs to Colonel Somerset and the new Governor-General, Sir Harry Smith.

2.-Queen Christina, in opening the Portuguese Cortes, expresses the pleasure she felt at being again surrounded by her peers and deputies after the violent troubles of the last two years. A decree disarming the people was authorized.

3. The property of Tawell, the Salt Hill murderer, confiscated to the Crown, was this day restored to his widow.

Affray in the streets of Milan between the Austrian troops and the populace, caused by the troops smoking cigars, which the people had bound themselves not to consume in order to injure the revenue of the imperial treasury.

-The Sacred Congregation, Rome, addresses a circular to the Irish prelates, instructing them to admonish the clergy not to mix themselves up with political matters, but sedulously to watch over the spiritual interests of the people committed to their charge. Propaganda also desired to be satisfied regarding the rumours presently current as to the priests being mixed up in recent outrages.

4.-Special Commission opened at Limerick for the trial of persons charged with murder, housebreaking, and robbery. In his charge to the grand jury, Lord Chief Justice Blackburn explained that they were not there to inquire into any of the causes to which the outrages might be attributed. "We are here to administer the law; which does not admit any provocation to be an excuse or justification for the commission of crime. The law cannot tolerate its own violation. Wrongs there may be--injuries and sufferings there may be-all forming a just ground for complaint; but it is perfectly plain that, however those sufferings may be aggravated, they can never be alleviated or redressed by a violation of the law."-The first offender tried was Ryan, alias Puck, reputed to have been concerned in nine mur

ders. He was found guilty of shooting John King, and sentenced to be executed on the 7th of February. Four others received sentence of death, and between twenty and thirty were transported for periods varying from two to fourteen years. Similar results followed the sitting of the Commission at Ennis on the 12th, and Clonmel on the 24th. In the latter place there were upwards of 400 prisoners in gaol.

4.-The Quarterly Review, published to-day, in an article on "Ministerial Measures" noticed the aggressive tendencies of the Papal See in words frequently referred to afterwards: "The Pope, it seems, has announced his intention of proving that he has power and authority, both temporal and spiritual, here in England itself, by creating those ecclesiastic officers heretofore tolerated under the modest and sufficient title of Vicar Apostolic into the dignities of Archbishops and Bishops, not merely nominal, not in partibus, but of Popecreated dioceses, in this by law Protestant realm of England; but, having more respect for the special provisions of the Act of 1829 than the English Minister or his Irish prelates, he calls them Bishops of Westminster and Birmingham."

The Morning Chronicle publishes a letter on national defences addressed to Sir John Burgoyne by the Duke of Wellington, in January 1847. "Some days have elapsedindeed a fortnight has-since I received your note, with a copy of your observations on the possible results of a war with France, under our present system of military preparation. You are aware that I have for years been sensible of the alteration produced in maritime warfare and operations by the application of steam to the propelling of ships at sea. I have in

vain endeavoured to awaken the attention of different administrations to this state of things, as well known to our neighbours as it is to ourselves. . . I have examined and reconnoitred over and over again the whole coast from the North Foreland, by Dover, Folkestone, Beachy Head, Brighton, Arundel, to Selsey Bill near Portsmouth, and I say that, excepting immediately under the fire of Dover Castle, there is not a spot on the coast on which infantry might not be thrown on shore at any time of the tide, with any wind and in any weather, and from which such body of infantry, so thrown on shore, would not find, within the distance of five miles, a road into the interior of the country through the cliffs practicable for the march of troops.

When did any man hear of allies

of a country unable to defend itself? Views of economy of some, and I admit that the high views of national finance of others, induce them to postpone those measures absolutely necessary for mere defence and safety under existing circumstances, forgetting altogether the common practice of successful armies, in modern times, imposing upon the conquered enormous pecuniary contributions, as well as other valuable

and ornamental property. Do we suppose that we should be allowed to keep-could we advance a pretension to keep -more than the islands composing the United Kingdom; ceding disgracefully the Channel Islands, on which an invader has never established himself since the period of the Norman Conquest? I am bordering upon seventy-seven years of age passed in honour; I hope that the Almighty may protect me from being witness of the tragedy which I cannot persuade my contemporaries to take measures to avert."

5.-Violent scene in the Spanish Cortes, arising out of a charge of peculation made against Salamanca, the Minister of Finance.

7.-Died at Hanover, in her 98th year, Miss Caroline Lucretia Herschel, sister and assistant of the celebrated astronomer, to whose zeal, diligence, and accuracy he was greatly indebted. She also made many useful astronomical observations of her own, and wrote several scientific treatises.

Commencement of a debate on the Address in the French Chamber of Deputies. The paragraphs relating to Reform and Reform demonstrations gave rise to a stormy discussion on the 9th February, when the Ministry announced their intention of prohibiting political meetings.

8.-Execution of Reid for the Mirfield murders, at York. On the scaffold he said: "I alone am the guilty person; McCabe is entirely innocent. No human being in the world had anything to do with it except myself." McCabe's sentence had previously been commuted to transportation for life.

Confirmation of the new Bishop of Manchester (Rev. J. Prince Lee, M.A.) in St. James's Church, Piccadilly. He was consecrated on the 16th in Whitehall Chapel.

9.-Riotous proceedings in Leghorn, arising out of demonstrations made by the National party.

10. A box, containing 1,500 sovereigns, stolen from the parcel van on the Great Western Railway, between London and Taunton.

On

11.-Confirmation of Dr. Hampden in the Church of St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside. the calling of objectors, a protest was presented against the proceedings; but the Commissioners declined to receive it on the ground that they were assembled under a commission, signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, to proceed with the confirmation, and if they failed to do so they were liable under the statute of Henry VIII. to heavy pains and penalties. The same course was taken in the case of a libel, which the objectors wished to have argued in the Ecclesiastical Courts.

12. The Sicilians revolt at Palermo against King Ferdinand. A Constitution is conceded, but the city continues for many weeks in a discontented and unsettled state.

13. The Emperor of Austria writes to the Archduke Rainer, Viceroy of the LombardoVenetian kingdom: "I have duly examined the events which occurred at Milan on the 2d and 3d inst. It is evident to me that a faction desirous to destroy public order and tranquillity exists in the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom. All that you deemed necessary to satisfy the wants and wishes of the different provinces I have already done. I am not disposed to grant further concessions. Your Highness will make known my sentiments to the public. The attitude of the majority of the population of the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom, however, induces a hope that similar distressing scenes shall not occur again. At all events, I rely on the loyalty and courage of my troops."

In the Court of Queen's Bench Sir Fitzroy Kelly obtains a rule for a mandamus, to compel the Archbishop of Canterbury to hear certain parties opposed to the elevation of Dr. Hampden to the see of Hereford.

15.-Marshal Radetzky, commander-in-chief of the Austrian forces in Italy, issues a general order to the troops, commanding them to prepare for an immediate struggle: "The efforts of fanatics, and a false spirit of innovation, will be shivered against your courage and fidelity like glass striking against a rock. My hand still firmly holds this sword that during sixtyfive years I have carried with honour upon so many fields of battle. I still know how to use it, to protect the peace of a country, only lately so happy, and which a furious faction threatens to precipitate into incalculable misery."

17.-The Mexican Congress reject all nego tiations with the United States while their armies and fleet occupy the country.