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1839.

January 1.-The Earl of Norbury shot when walking in the shrubbery near his own house, Kilbeggan, county of Meath. The assassin was seen to escape, but in the confusion managed to elude his pursuers; nor was his identity ever ascertained. A statement current at the time, that the ground from which the shot was fired showed the print of a well-made boot, gave rise to much wild speculation as to the person and motive of the murderer. A reward of 1,000l. with an annuity of 100l. was offered for his discovery.

2. A correspondent of the Times mentions that the authorities of London University having intimated they could no longer tolerate the absurd and indecent mummeries of animal magnetism, Dr. Elliotson had tendered his resignation.

7.-Violent hurricane experienced over the kingdom generally, but most destructive on the west coast and in Ireland. The Pennsylvania, St. Andrew's, Lockwood, and many other vessels wrecked, with great loss of life. The Edinburgh and Carlisle mail coach blown off the road near Selkirk. In Liverpool and neighbourhood, about 100 lives were lost; and throughout the south of Scotland most of the towns presented the appearance of having suffered a severe cannonading. The wooden roadway of the Menai bridge was torn up and carried away by the fury of the tempest. The anemometer of the Birmingham Philosophical Institution showed that the pressure had risen from 2 lbs. per foot on Saturday night to 30 lbs. per foot on Monday morning.

-The French Academy reports on the invention of M. Daguerre, by which the pictures of the camera lucida are rendered permanent.

10. The magistrates of King's County meet in the Court-house of Tullamore to take into consideration the disturbed state of the country, particularly with reference to the murder of the Earl of Norbury. Lengthy political speeches were delivered by Lord Oxmantown, who presided, and Lord Charleville. Resolutions expressive of "horror and indignation" at the murder, and of condolence with Lord Norbury's family under "this dreadful and awful calamity were passed unanimously. In acknowledging receipt of the resolution, the LordLieutenant caused Mr. Secretary Drummond to write: "While his Excellency is disposed to make allowance for the excited feelings produced by the recent melancholy occurrence, he cannot but lament that a body of magistrates, called together as such, and presided over by the lord-lieutenant of their county, should have so far forgotten the object of their meeting as to convert it into a display of political feeling; and his Excellency believes that those who took a prominent part in the proceedings will.

when they return to the exercise of their cooler judgment, perceive that the intemperate course which they have pursued is ill-calculated to promote the professed object of the meeting, or to lessen those social evils the existence of which they deplore."

11.-Earthquake at Martinique, almost entirely destroying Fort Royal.

13.-Duel between Lord Londonderry and Mr. Grattan. Shots were exchanged without effect.

14. Commenced in the Court of Queen's Bench, the arguments of counsel in the case of the twelve Canadian prisoners brought from Liverpool, where they were in custody of the gaoler, to London, on writs of habeas corpus granted by Mr. Justice Littledale. For the prisoners it was contended, that there had been no legal conviction; that it was an old-established maxim. of law that no man could suffer punishment by his own consent, or by contract; and the authority to inflict punishment must be derived, not from the prisoner's consent, but from undoubted law; that in the case of the prisoners, the Governor of Upper Canada had no such authority; that the privilege of pardon in cases of high treason and murder was expressly denied to Colonial Governors, and retained for the Sovereign; that it would be most impolitic to empower a Colonial Governor to make bargains with prisoners, to impose conditions of commutation of punishment; that such a contract was illegal; that the Governor of Upper Canada, who could not transport a prisoner to Bermuda, or to Calcutta, had no authority to send him to Van Diemen's Land; that even supposing the power to transport existed, the transportation had not been legally conducted, inasmuch as the prisoners had been transferred first to the Sheriff of Quebec, and then to the gaoler at Liverpool, neither of whom had power to detain them; and the Governor of Lower Canada took upon himself to forward the prisoners to England, though possessing no legal authority over them. Lord Denman delivered the decision of the Judges on the 21st, atfirming the right of a single Judge in vacation to issue writs of habeas corpus, but on the other points was hostile to the prisoners. The Court was of opinion, that in passing the law by which the prisoners' sentence was commuted by their own consent from death to transportation, the Legislature of Upper Canada had not exceeded its powers; and that the officers of the Government, in carrying the sentence of transportation into effect, had not transgressed the law except in one instance, where the name of the prisoner was not inserted in the mandatory part of the

return.

15.-An extreme Chartist party being anxious to force on the question of Universal Suffrage in preference to the Corn Laws, Feargus O'Connor made an unsuccessful attempt to-day at the Leeds meeting to carry a resolution: "That we consider all restrictions upon the importa

tion of foreign grain as unjust in principle and injurious in its effects; nevertheless we are of opinion that no salutary alteration can be made in the present system until those for whose benefit the change is contemplated shall have a voice in the choice of those Representatives to whom shall be entrusted the power of preventing the recurrence of so great an evil as the present Corn Law."- At Birmingham the Chartists were successful in carrying their resolution in opposition to the Anti-Corn-Law party who had called the meeting.

15.-A Special Commission opened at Cloninel for the trial of various persons charged with murder, and other Whiteboy offences.

18. Three lives lost on the ice at Duddingstone Loch, Edinburgh.

19. The Sultan refusing to fulfil his engagements regarding the cession of Aden, the place is bombarded and taken to-day by a naval and military force under Captain H. Smith, of the Volage. This was the first occasion in which her Majesty's forces by sea and land were engaged in warfare together.

20. The Chilians defeat the Peruvians under Santa Cruz, at Yungay.

21.-Anti-Corn-Law meeting at Manchester, attended by many members of Parliament and extensive manufacturers.-Writing to-day to his Stroud constituents, Lord John Russell said: "I gave my support to the Bill of 1829, considering it an improvement on the former prohibitory system; but it is my opinion that a moderate fixed duty would be more advantageous, not only to trade and manufactures, but likewise to agriculture, than our present fluctuating scale. It is desirable not to alter too frequently the laws by which the direction of capital and the channels of industry are regulated; but it is also desirable not to maintain a system of duties which, as experience has shown, increases the high prices of dear years to the consumer, and depresses the low prices of cheap years to the producer. I give you this as my individual opinion; but it is one which I shall be ready to support by my vote in the House of Commons.

In the Arches Court Sir H. Jenner Fust gives judgment in the case promoted by Capt. Grant against his wife, for adultery with Capt. Vincent. Separation granted.

Great Anti-Corn-Law meeting held in Edinburgh, presided over by the Lord Provost, Sir James Forrest.

22.-The Queen goes in state to Drury Lane Theatre.

The Molé Ministry resign, but after an interregnum of a fortnight, during which various attempts were made by Marshal Soult and others to form a Cabinet, the old officials were recalled by the King.

28.-Died, aged 86, Sir William Beechey,

R.A.

February 1.--Case of Lady Flora Hastings. Lord Melbourne informs Sir James Clark, M.D., that a communication has been made by Lady Tavistock respecting Lady Flora Hastings (in the Duchess of Kent's household), whose appearance had given rise to a suspicion in the Palace that she might have been privately married. Sir James stated, that while deprecating such suspicions he was bound to admit that Lady Flora's appearance in some degree countenanced them, but would not venture to give an opinion without more ample means of observation than she had permitted. On the 16th Sir James acquaints Lady Flora with the existing suspicions, when she stated that for these suspicions there was not the slightest ground. "After the interview with Lady Flora, it remained for me, "" writes Sir James Clark, "to communicate what had passed to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. I therefore informed Lady Flora that I was going to her Royal Highness for that purpose: to the propriety of this Lady Flora immediately assented. I accordingly went to the Duchess of Kent, and stated the nature of the interview I had had with Lady Flora. Her Royal Highness immediately expressed her entire disbelief of anything injurious to Lady Flora's character, and she asked me my opinion. However reluctant I felt to express any doubts on the subject after Lady Flora's declaration, I could not decline giving a conscientious reply to her Royal Highness's question; and I answered to the effect that the suspicions I previously entertained were not removed. In the course of the evening of the day on which I made the communication to Lady Flora Hastings, I received a note from her Ladyship, of which the following is a copy-Saturday.-Sir, although I think you perfectly understood me this morning, that I did not wish you to take any steps without hearing from me, it is perhaps better to obviate the possibility of any mistake that I should distinctly say so. I shall be governed entirely by her Royal Highness's wishes and orders. Yours sincerely, FLORA ELIZ. HASTINGS.'-I heard nothing more on the subject till the afternoon of the following day (Sunday, February 17th), when I received another note from Lady Flora, of which the following is a copy-Sir, by her Royal Highness's command, I have written to ask Sir Charles Clarke to name an hour this afternoon to come to me. He has answered my note by coming, and is now here. Could you come and meet him?— Yours sincerely, F. E. HASTINGS.'-On receiving this note, I immediately went to Lady Flora, and found Sir Charles with her Ladyship. He stated to me, in Lady Flora's presence, as part of the conversation he had had with her, that he urged her, if there were any grounds for the suspicions entertained, to admit the fact now, as after the examination it would be too late. After this conversation. Lady Flora requested that Lady Portman might be called in. On her arrival, Lady Flora retired to her chamber, where her maid was in attend

ance. After Sir Charles Clarke had made an examination, he returned with me to the sittingroom, and stated, as the result, that there could be no pregnancy; but at the same time he expressed a wish that I also should make an examination. This I at first declined, stating it to be unnecessary; but, on his earnestly urging me to do so, I felt that a further refusal might be construed into a desire to shrink from a share of the responsibility, and I accordingly yielded. After finally consulting, we gave the following certificate:- Buckingham Palace, 17th February, 1839.-We have examined with great care the state of Lady Flora Hastings, with a view to determine the existence or non-existence of pregnancy, and it is our opinion, although there is an enlargement of the stomach, that there are no grounds for suspicion that pregnancy does exist, or ever did exist.—(Signed) CHARLES M. CLARKE, M.D.; JAMES CLARK, M.D.'-Before parting with Lady Flora, both Sir Charles Clarke and myself pressed upon her Ladyship the expediency of her appearing on that day at table as usual."

3.-Kurrachee bombarded and taken by the

British.

4-The Baptist missionaries of Jamaica address the Governor on the willingness of the blacks to work, if reasonable wages are given, and describe their own sect as distinguished in the island by "the misrepresentations and calumnies of unreasonable and wicked men."

son.

5.-Parliament opened by the Queen in perThe attendance of Peers and Peeresses both in the body of the House and in the strangers' gallery was observed to be unusually numerous. Referring to the engagements with Affghanistan, "events," said her Majesty in the Royal Speech, "have induced the GovernorGeneral of India to take measures for protecting British interests in that quarter of the world, and to enter into engagements the fulfilment of which may render military operations necessary." Regarding Canada, it was with deep concern her Majesty acquainted "my Lords and Gentlemen" that "the province of Lower Canada has again been disturbed by insurrection, and hostile incursions have been made into Upper Canada by certain lawless inhabitants of the United States of America." The Speech contained the following allusion to the Chartist agitation:-"I have observed with pain the persevering efforts which have been made in some parts of the country to excite my subjects to disobedience and resistance to the law, and to recommend dangerous and illegal practices. For the counteraction of all such designs I depend upon the efficacy of the law, which it will be my duty to enforce, upon the good sense and right disposition of my people, upon their attachment to the principles of justice, and their abhorrence of violence and disorder." The measures promised to be brought forward related to Irish municipal corporations, the Ecclesiastical Commission, and law reform. In the debate on the Address in the Lords,

Lord Brougham made a bitter attack on O'Connell, for insinuating at a public meeting in Dublin' that Lord Norbury had been assassinated by his own son.-The Member for Dublin retaliated in the Commons. He despised the malignity of the attack, and sought to demonstrate its falsehood. "I admit," he said, "I should ask myself what right I have to complain when even maiden modesty cannot protect her who holds the highest station in the empire from the obscene slanders of those who have dared to pollute her name by coupling it with an insinuation too base to mention. The sycophant of one monarch and the slanderer of another, I admit that a charge coming from so foul and pol luted a source is best treated when it is despised. He may call himself the Friend of the People;' he may be the enemy of the Throne: I don't envy him the notoriety which he has acquired in either character."-An amendment on the Address in the Commons relating to the improved representation of the people, moved by Mr. Duncombe, was negatived by 426 to 86

votes.

8. In consequence of a re-arrangement of offices having been resolved upon without his knowledge, Lord Glenelg intimates that he had resigned the seals of the Colonial Office. He was succeeded by Lord Normanby.

9.-Discovery of the Balleny Islands, a group of five, in lat. 66° 22′ of the Antarctic circle.

11.--Lord Durham's report on the affairs of British North America, with accompanying correspondence, laid on the table of the House of Lords by Lord Melbourne. The late High Commissioner described at great length, and with admitted ability, the contest between the French and English races in Lower Canada, their utter incompatibility of character and implacable hatred of each other; noticed the struggle which had so long existed between the House of Assembly and the Executive Government, the complicated distraction of Upper Canada, and the evils still unremedied, grievances unredressed, and abuses unreformed at this hour. The concluding portion of the Report was occupied with the consideration and suggestion of remedial measures, the first of which was the early restoration of the Union of the Canadas-one Province with one Legislature."

12.-Lord John Russell announces the intention of Government to constitute a Board of Education, consisting of five Privy Councillors, and to place at its disposal from 20,000/. to 30,000l. per annum for aid to schools. This scheme was abandoned later in the session, and the National Society and British and Foreign Bible Society allowed to divide between them such grant as was given. (Sec June 3.)

14. In the Court of Queen's Bench, Barnard Gregory, of the Satirist, was found guilty of a libel on Mrs. Hogg, the wife of the M. P. for

Beverley, in so far as it stated that she had two husbands living, and had formed an improper intimacy with a friend of Lord Byron's. There did not appear to be the slightest foundation for the calumnies. Sentence, three months' imprisonment.

15. Five of the Canadian rebels executed at Montreal.

18.-Lord Brougham proposes_that_the petitions in favour of the abolition of the Corn Laws be referred to a committee of the whole House, and that evidence be heard at the bar. The motion was negatived without a division.

Explosion of fire-damp in the William coal pit, Cumberland, and loss of twenty-three lives.

19. Mr. Villiers' motion that certain parties be heard at the bar of the House by witnesses, agents, or counsel, in support of the allegations of their petitions against the Corn Laws, rejected by 361 to 172 votes.

20. Sir Herbert Jenner Fust gives judgment In the long-pending case respecting the will and codicil of the late James Wood of Gloucester. The effect of the decision, which set aside both documents, was to make over the personal property, amounting to nearly one million sterling, to two second cousins as next of kin, while testator's real property, valued at 250,000/. passed to the heir-at-law, who was no party to the cause, and not even known. Notice of appeal was given.

23. Mr. John Frost of Monmouth, not having disavowed the language attributed to him, that if Lord John Russell struck his name off the magistracy the people would put it on again," the Secretary of State for the Home Department recommends the Lord Chancellor to issue a new commission for the borough in which the name of Mr. Frost should not be included.

25.-The Government Ecclesiastical Duties and Revenues Bill read a second time in the House of Commons. It was proposed to reduce cathedral establishments to one dean, four prebendaries, and four canons, and with the funds thus obtained to raise all livings in England and Wales to the annual value of 3001.

26. The Chinese authorities at Canton execute a reputed smuggler in front of the British factories, avowedly with the view of terrifying the opium traders, but really, as explained by Captain Elliott, with the design of degrading foreign residents.

27.-Mr. Serjeant Talfourd's Copyright Bill read a second time by 73 to 37 votes.

28.-Duel at Combe Wood, between Lord Powerscourt, M. P., and Mr. Roebuck, in consequence of the latter, in a speech at Bath, having charged the former with using his name "at some drunken exhibition," in "a way that no gentleman would have done." Mr.

Roebuck received his opponent's fire, and discharged his own pistol in the air. He then apologized to Lord Powerscourt, saying that he did not mean to imply anything personally offensive.

28.-Lord Lyndhurst draws the attention of the House of Lords to a speech made on the Irish Tithe Bill by Lord Ebrington, in which he was reported to have said, "Although I do not approve of the bill, I shall vote for it, as it will render the war now raging in Ireland against the Protestant Church more formidable. Lord Lyndhurst wished to know whether Lord Melbourne was aware of these observations when he appointed Lord Ebrington to the office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.-Lord Melbourne said he was aware of Lord Ebrington's general opinion on the Irish Church, but he knew nothing of any particular expression used which could disqualify him for the office to which he was appointed. An altercation then arose between the Marquis of Lansdowne and Lord Lyndhurst. Lord Lansdowne referred to Lord Lyndhurst's "alien" speech; remarking, that if any man was more interested than another in preventing a particular expression from being made a disqualification for office, that nobleman was Lord Lyndhurst.-To this taunt Lord Lyndhurst replied, that he was not ashamed of the expression, which had been explained over and over again; but with respect to Lord Ebrington's words, he would not allow it to be supposed that they might not have been used by him. They appeared in a corrected report; they were commented upon in the debate; they had been heard by persons whom he had consulted; and he was sure Lord Ebrington himself would not deny them.-Lord Holland maintained, that as it was one of the main principles of the Bill of Rights that freedom of speech should not be questioned out of Parliament, the attempt to make a speech delivered in the House of Commons a disqualification for office was unconstitutional.. Lord Wicklow said that was not the question.Lord Holland rose to order: there was no question.-Lord Brougham interrupted Lord Holland: he movedLord Holland: "You can't move, while I'm speaking to order.". Lord Brougham: "Well, now I may move an adjournment. We have been out of order, no doubt; but not more disorderly than we have been every other night of the session." Lord Brougham proceeded to controvert Lord Holland's constitutional doctrines. It was, he argued, a most absurd mistake to suppose that the term "questioned" meant anything in the Bill of Rights except an indictment, impeachment, or prosecution. The words in the context, any other court or place, proved that. In fact, this interpretation had never been questioned except in a factious vote of the House of Commons, by which a Mr. Jones was imprisoned for propounding a question relating to Members of the House. Both Mr. Canning and Mr. Huskisson agreed that

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nothing so absurd had been done by the House of Commons.-Lord Holland still maintained, that before anything could be founded on the expressions attributed to Lord Ebrington, it would be necessary to ascertain that he really used them, and that would be a "questioning of the proceedings in the other House.-Lord Strangford reminded Ministers of the successful opposition to Lord Londonderry's appointment, founded on a speech delivered in Parliament.-Lord Brougham subsequently withdrew his motion, and the subject dropped.

March 4.-An attempt made to injure Madame Vestris, by sending her a box filled with explosive matter. The design was frustrated by a carpenter at the theatre forcing the lid in instead of out.

5.-Three prisoners tried at Cavan for attempting to assassinate the Rev. M. P. Beresford, when proceeding to church on the 22d of July last.

The principal of the gang was sentenced to transportation for life.

With reference to the Palace scandal, Lady Tavistock writes to-day :-"When I went to Buckingham Palace, at the end of January, to attend upon the Queen, I found strong suspicions of an unpleasant nature existing there with respect to Lady Flora Hastings's state of health. It was considered necessary, for the honour of her Majesty and the character of the Household, that these suspicions should not be permitted to continue and spread without some step being taken to put a stop to them. Observing the opinion in question to be borne out by appearances, and conceiving that Lady Flora might have been privately married, I felt much desire to speak to her at once upon the subject; but circumstances occurred which prevented my carrying this wish into effect, and rendered it my painful duty to inform the Prime Minister of the opinion that had been unfortunately entertained. I hope I did so in the most delicate and cautious manner, and for this I consider myself responsible."

- The brothers Edward and Sydney Orford sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment for the abduction of Miss Boyd of Alton. Their father had been hired to guard the young lady and her two sisters from the importunities of the brothers Grey.

7.--During a debate in the House of Commons on the condition of Ireland, O'Connell denounces certain Irish members, who had calumniated their country by supporting a motion for an inquiry as to the increase of crime there.

The Marchioness of Hastings writes to the Queen praying for further inquiry into the origin of the suspicions against her daughter, the Lady Flora. "It is my duty respectfully to call your Majesty's attention to its not being more important for my daughter than essentially consonant to your Majesty's

honour and justice, not to suffer the criminal inventor of such falsehoods to remain without discovery." The letter was entrusted for presentation to Lord Melbourne, who replied: "The allowance which her Majesty is anxious to make for the natural feelings of a mother upon such an occasion tended to diminish that surprise which could not but be otherwise than excited by the tone and substance of your Ladyship's letter. Her Majesty commands me to convey to your Ladyship the expression of her deep concern at the unfortunate circumstances which have recently taken place. Her Majesty hastened to seize the first opportunity of testifying to Lady Flora Hastings her conviction of the error of the impression which had prevailed and her Majesty is still most desirous to do everything in her power to soothe the feelings of Lady Flora and her family, which must have been painfully affected by the events which have occurred." The Marchioness then demanded the removal of Sir James Clark as physician to her Majesty : "A demand" (wrote Lord Melbourne) unprecedented and objectionable, that even the respect due to your Ladyship's sex, rank, family, and character would not justify me in more, if indeed it authorizes so much, than acknowledging that letter for the sole purpose of acquainting your Ladyship that I have received it."

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8.-Lady Flora writes an account of the Palace conspiracy to her uncle, Hamilton Fitzgerald, at Brussels. "The Queen endeavoured to show her regret by her civility to me, and expressed it handsomely, with tears in her eyes. A mother could not have been kinder than the Duchess of Kent. The affair had made her ill, but she was getting round, and hoped soon to be better.

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9.-Francis Hastings Medhurst stabs fellow-pupil, named Alsop, during a quarrel, at the house of their teacher, Mr. Sturmer, of Uxbridge. The coroner's jury found a verdict of wilful murder, but by the magistrates Medhurst was committed on the charge of manslaughter only.

Mexico concludes a peace with France at Vera Cruz.

16. The Chartists meet at the "Crown and Anchor" to promote the cause of the National Petition. O'Connor said, if those in power were determined to oppose the claims of the petitioners by violence, the latter must resist by force; while Mr. Julian Harney was determined that before the close of the year "the people should have universal suffrage or death."

18.-The Imperial Commissioner Lin issues an edict, addressed to all foreigners, prohibiting the importation of opium into Chinese ports under severe penalties. "I am now about to command the Hong merchants to proceed to your factories, to instruct and admonish you. A term of three days is prescribed for an address to be sent in reply to me. And, at the same

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