28.-The Gazette announces that Lord Ashburton has been appointed to proceed on an extraordinary special mission to the United States.

Died in the York-road, Lambeth, A. Ducrow, equestrian, aged 48 years. He left the sum of 800/. for the erection of his tomb in Kensal Green Cemetery, and the interest of 200/. invested in the Three and a half per Cents. to be spent annually in the purchase of flowers for its adornment.

29. Close of the contest for the represen tation of Dublin, Mr. Gregory, Conservative, defeating Lord Morpeth, Whig, by 3,825 votes to 3,435.

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Our

The Duke of Wellington makes a memorandum regarding Envoy Macnaghten's letter of October 25, 1841: "It is impossible to read the letter without being sensible of the precarious and dangerous position of affairs in Central Asia. . . . Very possibly an Affghan will run over his native hills faster than an Englishman or an Hindoo. But we have carried on war in hill countries, as well in Hindostan and the Deccan as in the Spanish Peninsula; and I never heard that our troops were not equal as well in personal activity as by their arms, to contend with and overcome any natives of hills whatever. Mr. Macnaghten ought to have learnt that hill countries are not conquered and their inhabitants kept in subjection, solely by running up the hills and firing at long distances. The whole of a hill country of which it is necessary to keep possession, particularly for the communications of the army, should be occupied by sufficient bodies of troops, well supplied, and capable of maintaining themselves; and not only not a Ghilzie or insurgent should be able to run up and down hills, but not a cat or a goat, except under the fire of those occupying the hills. This is the mode of carrying on the war, and not by hiring Affghans with long matchlocks to protect and defend the communications of

the British army. Shah Soojah Khan may

have in his service any troops that he and Mr. Macnaghten please. But if the troops in the service of the East India Company are not able, armed and equipped as they are, to perform the service required of them in Central Asia, I protest against their being left in Affghanistan. It will not do to raise, pay, and discipline matchlock-men in order to protect the British troops and their communications, discovered by Mr. Macnaghten to be no longer able to protect themselves."

Intelligence of the Affghan disasters having now reached Calcutta, Lord Auckland causes a prociamation to be issued : "A faithless enemy, stained by the foul crime of assassination, has, through a failure of supplies followed by consummate treachery, been able to overcome a body of British troops in a country removed by distance and difficulties of service from the possibility of succour. But the Governor-General in Council, while he most deeply

laments the loss of the brave officers and men. regards this partial reverse only as a new occasion for displaying the stability and vigour of the British power, and the admirable spirit and valour of the British Indian army.' The Governor-General, who was on the eve of leaving office, did not take any important steps to retrieve the errors of his Affghan policy, nor did it appear certain whether he thought the isolated garrison still left in the country should be relieved, or permitted, if they were able, to fight their way alone back to British India. A force, however, was gradually concentrated at Peshawur, first under Brigadier Wilde, and then under General Pollock, who had been selected by the Commander-in-chief in India for the command of the avenging army.

31.—The Duke of Buckingham withdraws from the Cabinet, on the ground, as was stated, of his opposition to the Ministerial plan of dealing with the Corn Laws. He was succeeded in the office of Lord Privy Seal by the Duke of Buccleuch.

February 1.-The Chartists and Monopolists succeed in breaking up an Anti-Corn Law meeting at Southampton, presided over by Lord Radnor.

Two people killed and several injured by the falling of an old dismantled house in Charles-street, Drury-lane.

2.-Anti-Corn Law Bazaar opened at Manchester. The receipts for the first day amounted to 1,900/.; for the second, to 1,500.

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3. Parliament opened by the Queen in person. The King of Prussia and Prince Ferdinand of Saxe Coburg were also present, seated near the throne. The Royal speech made reference to the birth of the Prince of Wales-"an event which has completed the measure of my domestic happiness"-and to the relations of this country with Foreign Powers. "I regret,' it was said, "that I am not enabled to announce to you the re-establishment of peaceful relations with the Government of China. The uniform success which has attended the hostile operations directed against that Power, and my confidence in the skill and gallantry of my naval and military forces, encourage the hope on my part that our differences with the Government of China will be brought to an early termination, and our commercial relations with that country placed on a satisfactory basis." Addressing the House of Commons, her Majesty said: "You will have seen with regret that, for several years past, the annual income has been inadequate to bear the public charges; and I feel confident that, fully sensible of the evil which must result from a continued deficiency of this nature during a peace, you will fully consider the best means of averting it." To "My Lords and Gentlemen" her Majesty recommended the consideration of the laws relating to the importation of corn, and other articles the produce of foreign countries. She also ob

served with deep regret the continued distress in the manufacturing districts-a distress, she said, which was borne with exemplary patience and fortitude. "I feel assured that your deliberations on the various important matters which will occupy your attention will be directed by a comprehensive regard for the interest and permanent welfare of all classes of my subjects, and I fervently pray that they may tend in their result to improve the national resources, and to encourage the industry and promote the happiness of my people." So great was the crowd within and around the House on this occasion, that two hours elapsed before it could be cleared of spectators. The Address was agreed to without a division, Sir Robert Peel intimating that he would introduce the Government scheme relating to the importation of corn on the 9th, and explain, as soon thereafter as possible, the complete financial arrangements for the year.

3.-New writ moved for Liverpool, in consequence of Sir Cresswell Cresswell's elevation to the bench.

4. Lord Stanley introduces a bill to provide better security to poor emigrants against frauds and inconvenience on their passage, and another to obviate the fluctuating system of alienating land in certain colonies.

7.-Arrival of the Indian mail with news of the outbreak at Cabul on the 2d November, and subsequent reverses of the British army stationed there. Despatches were received at the same time announcing the capture of Chusan, Shanghai, and Ningpo.

9.-Sir Robert Peel introduces his new sliding scale of corn duties to the House of Commons. A duty of 20s. to be levied when wheat is at 515. per quarter, descending to Is. when the price was 735., with rests or stops at 535, 545, 66s. and 685., designed to diminish the possibility of tampering with the averages. With respect to the duty on other kinds of grain, he proposed to preserve the same proportion between them and wheat as was maintained in the existing scale: a maximum duty of 8. on oats, and 11s. on barley, rye, &c. Sir Robert said he considered the present not an unfavourable time to discuss the question of the Corn Laws. There was no great stock of foreign growth on hand to alarm farmers; the recess, notwithstanding the distress, had been marked by universal calm; there was no popular violence to interrupt legislation, and there was a disposition to view any proposal for the adjustment of the question with calmness and moderation. -Mr. Cobden denounced the scheme as an insult to a suffering people. During the sitting great excitement was manifested both within and around the House of Commons. A number of Anti-Corn Law del gates attempted to take possession of the lobbies, but after some resistance they were induced by the police to retire outside.

10. The largest meeting of the Anti-Corn

Law delegates which had yet been held took place this day in the Crown and Anchor, Lon-. don. Sir Robert Peel's new sliding scale was spoken of as altogether unsatisfactory, and in no way calculated to relieve the distresses of the people.

14.-Grand ball in the Park Theatre, New York, in honour of Charles Dickens. About 2, 5co people were present.

Replying to Lord Brougham's motion for papers on the Creole affair, Lord Aberdeen said that, after the most serious consideration, Government had come to the conclusion that by the laws of this country there was no machinery or authority for bringing the refugee slaves to trial for murder or mutiny, and still less for delivering them up. Lord Denman, on behalf of the Judges, expressed their concurrence in this view.

On the motion that the Speaker leave the chair preparatory to a discussion in committee on the Corn Laws, Lord John Russell proposed: “That this House, considering the evils which have been caused by the present Corn Laws, and especially by the fluctuation of the graduated or sliding scale, is not prepared to adopt the measure of her Majesty's Government, which is founded on the same principles, and is likely to be attended by similar results." The opposition to the amendment was led by Mr. Gladstone, who said, whatever misrepresentation Government might incur, they would be content with the reflection that they had conferred on their country a great boon, certain to secure ultimately the universal approbation which it merited. The debate was protracted to the following evening, when Lord Palmerston closed the argument on the Opposition side. Why," he asked, "is the earth on which we live divided into zones and climates? Why do different countries yield different productions to people experiencing similar wants? Why are they intersected with mighty rivers, the natural highways of nations? Why are lands the most distant from each other brought almost into contact by that very ocean which seems to divide them? Why, sir, it is that man may be dependent upon man. It is that the exchange of commodities may be accompanied by the extension and diffusion of knowledge-by the interchange of mutual benefits engendering mutual kind feelings-multiplying and confirming friendly relations. It is that commerce may freely go forth, leading civilization with one hand and peace with the other, to render mankind happier, wiser, better. Sir, this is the dispensation of Providence, this is the decree of that Power which created and disposed the universe. But in the face of it, with arrogant, presumptuous folly, the dealers in restrictive duties fly, fettering the inborn energies of man, and setting up their miserable legislation instead of the great standing laws of nature. On a division there voted for the original motion, 349; for the amendment, There 226. Majority for Ministers, 123.

were 17 pairs in connexion with this debate; 8 Conservatives and 28 Liberals absent.

15. Died at Paris, in his 77th year, the Count Pozzo di Borgo, a Corsican diplomatist, who in 1835 represented Russia at the Court of St. James's.

16.-Riot at Northampton on the occasion of burning Sir Robert Peel in effigy.

17.-Robbery of 1,500/. in sovereigns, and 500/. in Bank of England notes, from the boot of the Perseverance coach, running between Manchester and Blackburn. The robbery was effected at Bury, chiefly through the aid of a inan who had managed to put the bank box in the inside of his carpet-bag before the coach started from Manchester.

18.-Opening of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. For months back this event was looked forward to with extraordinary interest, and in the two cities it connected, as well as at all the prominent parts of the line, the greatest excitement prevailed. Tickets were issued by the directors to the shareholders, city dignitaries, and others, to the number of 1,100, and the whole party were safely conveyed along the line. A banquet in Glasgow closed the day's rejoicings. The line had taken about three years to construct, and cost fully one million and a quarter.

Came on for hearing the case of the Bank of England v. Tomkins, a claim for reimbursement founded on the negligence of the officials in connexion with the recent Exchequer Bill frauds. Defendant was one of the brokers employed by De Berkem, the agent of Rapallo, to borrow money from the Bank of England to the extent of 8,000/. upon the security of Exchequer Bills, which were among those the Government pronounced forged. Lord Monteagle was examined to prove the forgery; and he explained the mode of conducting the business of the Exchequer Bill Office, to the same purport as he had done before the Commissioners of Inquiry. He stated that there were five checks for securing the validity of the bills,-the paper specially made for printing bills upon; the sealing or stamping with the Exchequer stamp; the numbering; the peculiar mode of cutting the bills out of the books in which they are put up, similar to bankers' cheques, to the number of 500; and the signature, either by the Comptroller or his deputy. The bills in question were valid with the exception of the signature; which was stated by Lord Monteagle not to be his, and it was also disowned by Mr. Perceval, his deputy. It appeared that the chief clerk, Mr. E. B. Smith, was entrusted with the entire superintendence of all the previous processes; and that he had (with the exception of signing the bills, performed by the Comptroller or his deputy) complete control over their production in all its various stages, without any kind of supervision. Verdict for the plaintiff.

19.—Earthquake at Jellalabad, destroying most of the defences thrown up by Sale for the defence of the garrison,

Lord Auckland addresses his last letter to the Secret Committee: "Since we have heard of the misfortune in the Khyber Pass, and have been convinced of the difficulties at present opposed to us, and as in the actual state of our preparations we could not expect, at least in this year, to maintain a position in the Jellalabad districts for any effective purpose, we have made our directions in regard to withdrawal from Jellalabad clear and positive; and we shall rejoice to learn that Major-General Pollock will have anticipated these more express orders by confining his efforts to the same objects.'

22.-A special meeting of the shareholders of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway called to consider the question of running a morning and evening train between Edinburgh and Glasgow on Sundays. After a long and somewhat bitter discussion, in which Sir Andrew Agnew and Mr. Makgill Crichton took a prominent part, the motion for running the trains, proposed by Mr. McNeil, was carried by a majority of 3,954 shares, or 554 votes. The Church newspapers wrote of this day as the most momentous which had dawned on Scotland for centuries. It was an object of interest in heaven and hell-the battle-field where the powers of light and darkness were engaged in a desperate conflict.

Came on for hearing in the Court of Exchequer the great betting case of Richard Thornton v. Portman and others. The defendants, for the purpose of protecting themselves and others, purchased the betting debts of a defaulter named Gurney, in order that by paying them in full they might secure his and their winnings. They accordingly required Thornton to pay his loss of 1,350%.; but that gentleman, having heard that certain parties had been settled with on terms of composition at less than 20s. in the pound, refused to meet the demand, unless the defendants would give him a personal guarantee to repay the sum due from him, in the event of their not having paid all Gurney's losings in full on or before the last day of the Houghton Meeting. The guarantee was given, and plaintiff gave them a cheque for 1,250/. and an order on one Atkins for tool. This latter sum, the plaintiff urged, was never received, and he now sued for the repayment of the 1,250/. on the ground that the defendants had failed to fulfil the condition under which it had been paid to them. The jury found for the plaintiff, who handed over the amount to Christ's Hospital This action gave rise to another, Thornton v. Byng, the defendant in this instance being one of the Stewards of the Jockey Club, who declared that the plaintiff had acted dishonourably, and excluded him from all places in the occupation or under the jurisdiction of the Club. The jury in this case gave damages for 500/

23.-Correspondence between Mr. P. Shaw, advocate, and Mr. Makgill Crichton, regarding insinuations made by the latter at the Sundaytrain meeting against Sir C. Shaw. Crichton

in his last letter writes: "I am now satisfied that the statements referred to by you were erroneous impressions, and are calculated to convey imputations against his character which are unfounded. I therefore retract them: I regret having made them, and offer to your brother my apology."

24. Conclusion of the debate on Mr. Villiers' motion for the immediate repeal of the Com Laws. Mr. Cobden, taking advantage of Sir Robert Peel's admission that it was impossible to fix the price of corn by any legislative enactments, said: "I would be obliged to him if he would not try to do it. It is a simple, open avowal that we are met here to legislate for a class against the people. There is no use in resorting to sophistry, no good in disguising the truth in a dexterous combination and shuffling of figures.”—Mr. Ferrand, amid marks of great impatience from the House, read extracts from a series of letters, in which the manufacturers who had joined the League were charged with cruelty to their operatives, a systematic evasion of the Truck Act, and the adulteration of their cloth with "Devil's Dust" to an extent which made it worthless in foreign markets. In the division which took place, Ministers had a majority of 303 in a House of 483.

28.-Lord Ellenborough lands at Calcutta, and takes the oath of office as Governor-General of India.

March 1.-Surrender of Ghuznee by Lieut. Col. Palmer. "It is with much concern," he writes to the officer commanding at Jellalabad, "I acquaint you that I have been compelled to enter into terms to evacuate the citadel and forts within ten days. . . . In capitulating I have only acted up to the orders of Major Pottinger and General Elphinstone, who directed me to evacuate the citadel and city on the arrival of Rohilla Khan. This chief arrived, and promised to escort us in safety to Cabul." The garrison were hardly out of the city when the treachery of the Affghans began. Day after day their attacks continued, and the troops were reduced to the last extremity of hunger and thirst, under a galling fire from the surrounding enemy. The Sepoys were the peculiar object of the hatred of the Ghilzies. Lieut. -Col. Palmer was seized and tortured, to make him give up treasure alleged to have been buried by the British troops. None ever reached Cabul except a few prisoners, kept alive for ransom.

Explosion of D'Ernst's firework factory, Lambeth, causing the death of all the workmen employed therein-four in number.

2.-The Bishop of London addresses a pastoral to his clergy, expressive of his desire to have a collection made in their churches for the Colonial Bishopric Fund, in conformity

Mr. Cobden draws the attention of the House to certain slanderous assertions made by Mr. Ferrand, to the effect that while calling for a repeal of the Corn Laws he (Mr. Cobden) was working his own mill night and day, and by so doing had amassed a large fortune.-Mr. Ferrand admitted that he had charged many AntiCorn Law manufacturers with so acting, but denied saying they were all guilty.-The Speaker ruled that it was irregular and contrary to the rule of the House to question the positive denial of the honourable gentleman.

In introducing the Navy Estimates, Mr. Sidney Herbert explains that the present number of men would be retained, but the ships reduced in number, as it was intended in future that all should have their full complement of hands.

6.-Died at Göttingen, in his 82d year, Professor Heeren, author of "Historical Researches."

7.-Arrival of the Overland Mail with news of the dreadful disasters in Affghanistan. The correspondent of the Morning Post wrote: "Cabul has fallen; the whole British force there, amounting to about 6,000 men, annihilated; one entire British regiment, the 44th, erased at one fell swoop from the Army I ist,

and five native regiments cut to pieces." The Morning Chronicle was equally alarming: "When last seen, the gallant 44th, or Queen's, was reduced to about 150, still in a body, struggling through the snow, and being picked off like snipes. Lady Macnaghten and the other ladies were sent to grind corn." The Times gave the intelligence in a more coherent form: "The worst can no longer be doubted of the unhappy troops at Cabul. Accounts have been received in town which can be implicitly relied upon, and from which the following is an extract: On the 18th January, Dr. Brydone staggered into Jellalabad, wounded and confused from suffering and fatigue. He relates that our people quitted Cabul, under the convention agreed upon by Major Pottinger, on the 5th instant. The cantonment was immediately occupied by the Afghans, and the English were almost instantly attacked. The march became, and continued, a constant fight. At Khoord Cabul Pass, about ten miles from Cabul, the ladies were sent back, under an escort of some of Akbar Khan's people, who promised to protect them. At Tezeen, General Elphinstone and Colonel Shelton were made prisoners. The Native troops became disorganized and scattered. At Jugduluk, 400 of her Majesty's 44th, who had before kept well together, became disorganized also, broke and scattered. Beyond this the Doctor knows nothing, having with the greatest difficulty preserved his own life.'" The Duke of Wellington was reported to be deeply affected at the news, declaring that in all his experience, or in all history, he had never heard of so lamentable a sacrifice of life in a British force. A letter from Lady Sale to her husband, the hero of Jellalabad, giving an account of the outbreak of Cabul, excited much interest and enthusiasm for her ladyship."

8. Mr. Disraeli introduces, but withdraws without a division, a motion on diplomatic and consular establishments: "That it appears to this House that great inconvenience and injury to the public welfare have arisen from the civil affairs of her Majesty in foreign countries being carried on by two distinct services; and that, with a view of advancing those commercial interests which at this moment so much occupy our consideration, it is expedient that measures should be forthwith taken to blend the Consular with the Diplomatic body." In the course of his address, Mr. Disraeli took occasion to censure several of the appointments made by Lord Palmerston.

10.-General Nott repels an attack on Candahar with such effect, that the enemy broke up their encampment and left him in quiet possession of the place.

The Chinese attempt to drive the British out of Ningpo, but are defeated in the centre of the town with great slaughter. So terrible, it was said, was the destruction of human life in this case among the Chinese, that the bodies had to be laid in heaps along the sides of the

street to permit the further advance of our destructive artillery.

10. When the House met to-night, Sir Robert Peel, in reply to Mr. Stuart Wortley, said the Governor-General of India bad received intelligence of the murder of Sir Wm. Macnaghten on the 22d January; and though there was no later official intelligence, private letters left no doubt that our forces at Cabul had met with a great misfortune. There was no occasion for dismay, however, and he had no doubt Parliament would give every support to the demand which it would be the duty of Ministers to make for the purpose of repairing that disaster.

11. In a speech of great length and minuteness Sir Robert Peel introduces the annual Budget, proposed in this instance in connexion with a series of comprehensive changes in the Tariff designed to improve the financial affairs of the country. He admitted the public accounts for the year would show a deficiency of 2,750,000l., and, with a frankness which alarmed some of his supporters, confessed that the country had arrived at the limit of taxation on articles of consumption. The additional duty of 5 per cent. laid on Customs and Excise had only realized 10s. per cent. The revenue for the coming year he estimated at 48,350,000/. and the expenditure at 50,820,000l. The yearly increasing deficiency Sir Robert proposed to meet by a tax on incomes calculated to produce 3,700,000l.; Irish equalized stamp and spirit duties, 410,000l.; and an export duty of 45. on coal exported, 200,000l. Of the surplus of 1,740,000/. thus obtained, 1,200,000l. was devoted to a reduction of duties in a revised tariff now submitted to the House, and the balance would be applied to the extra expenses likely to be incurred in connexion with the armies in India and China. The main design of the Budget was the taxation of wealth and the relief of manufacturing industry. "We have applied ourselves," said Sir Robert, "to the simplification of the Tariff-to make it clear, intelligible, and as far as possible consistent: and that alone, without reference to the amount of duty, is, I apprehend, a great public object. We have also attempted, speaking generally, to remove all absolute prohibitions upon the import of foreign articles, and to reduce duties which are so high as to be prohibitory to such a scale as may admit of a fair competition with domestic produce. There are instances in which that principle has been departed from and where prohibitions are maintained, and in those cases we justify departure from the rule upon special circumstances; but the general rule has been, to abolish prohibitions and reduce prohibitory duties within the range of fair competition. Our object has been, speaking generally, to reduce the duties on raw materials which constitute the elements of manufactures to an almost nominal amount; to reduce the duties on halfmanufactured articles, which enter almost as much as raw materials into domestic manufac