address, disclaiming the principle of assassination and pillage attributed to them by Feargus O'Connor and others.

8.-Lord Ashley obtains leave to bring in a bill for the erection of lodging-houses for the working classes.

11. The Duke of Saldanha issues a manifesto against the new Portuguese Minister Thomar. He was soon after placed at the head of affairs, and entered Lisbon in state.

14. The St. Albans' Election Committee report that Mr. Jacob Bell was duly elected, but having been prevented from obtaining necessary evidence as to the improper practices alleged to have been carried on there, they recommend that a Commission be issued for inquiring into the alleged cases of bribery and corruption.

15.-Lord Mahon calls the attention of the House of Commons to the publication of school-books at the national expense; a step considered to be an undue interference with private competition, a grievance to the publishing trade, and an especial grievance to many deserving men, who had produced, by their own means, publications for the use of schools.

Mr. Adderley moves for the presentation of an address to her Majesty, praying the appointment of a Commission, with instructions to proceed to South Africa, to inquire and report as to the best mode of adjusting the relations between this country and the Caffre tribes. Describing our attempt at the administration of the colony as an entire failure, he entered into an examination of the conduct of Sir Harry Smith, seeking to show that he was as much a prisoner just now as ever, with this important difference, that he was shut up with 5,000 men. The motion was negatived on a division; and an amendment moved by Lord John Russell, extending the inquiry to our relations with all the tribes on the South African boundary, was carried by a majority of 128 to 60.

Sir E. Bulwer Lytton publishes a Protectionist pamphlet in the form of a “Letter to John Bull, Esq., on Affairs connected with his Landed Property, and those who live thereon.”

16.—Mr. Armstrong, of Sorbitrees, Cumberland, shot by the Rev. Joseph Smith, Walton, who in the night-time had fired a pistol at random to scare away persons whom he thought were attempting to break into the house. Mr. Smith was tried for the offence of manslaughter at the Northumberland Assizes. Baron Platt ruled that the mischief which occurred to Mr. Armstrong was the result of his own act. "If he had gone home instead of going to the residence of this clergyman, and disturbing the inmates, he would have avoided the unfortunate consequences which ensued. If a man so conduct himself, by making noises at untimely hours, as to cause

the inmates of a house to believe that it is going to be broken into, it is precisely the same as if a burglary was committed; and, no question, a man has a right to go forth and alarm persons so acting, either by shooting over their heads or in the direction in which he fancies they are, to prevent a burglary." The jury acquitted Mr. Smith, who instantly fell down on his knees in the dock to express thankfulness for his deliverance. He appeared to be of an unusually nervous and timid disposition, and much alarmed by the recent outrage at Frimley Grove.

16.-Foundation-stone of Victoria Bridge, Glasgow, laid.

18.-Died at Tunbridge Wells, in his 68th year, the Right Hon. Henry Bickersteth, Baron Langdale, late Master of the Rolls.

Sir

A swindler, describing himself at one time as "Captain" and at others as Richard Douglas, of Orpington House, Kent," convicted at the Central Criminal Court, with his two sons as accomplices. He conducted his cheating operations upon the most methodical scale, keeping a diary of his transactions, and prefacing it with a list of people to be victimized. The first day of the new year for 1851 opened with a prayer, asking Providence to bless the exertions of the writer and his sons, and make them more prosperous than they were last year. The diary was filled with such entries as :--" Jan. 5. Phaeton and horse seized. Fear exposure at Ascot, and all chance up there. Fear we must cut.-7. All day ill. Row about stable. Forcible possesRow all day with one person or another. Fearful how things will end. Three boys at home idle, all ordering things. -18. Went to boys, to dinner-champagnevery merry. Providence not quite deserted us. A begging letter, which fell into the hands of a police constable, put an end to the family's operations. "Sir Richard" was sentenced to twelve months' and the sons to three months' imprisonment.

sion taken of it.

The Lord Chancellor gives judgment on two petitions presented with reference to Miss Augusta Talbot. Dr. Doyle's petition prayed that Miss Talbot might be allowed, during the absence of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury abroad, to remain under the charge of some proper person, to be approved of by the court, during the approaching season of 1851; that an additional allowance of 1,500/ might be made for her maintenance; and, if necessary, that it be referred to the Master to approve of a scheme as to her residence. Mr. Berkeley's petition alleged that the Countess of Shrewsbury had exercised an undue influence over Miss Talbot, and had endeavoured to induce her to marry a Frenchman named Rochefoucault; that Miss Talbot had persisted in refusing, and that thereupon the Countess sent back Miss Talbot to a convent, not as a pupil, but as a postulant, with the avowed

The

object of compelling her to take the veil; and it prayed that Miss Talbot might be removed from under the care and management of the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. Lord Chancellor, in giving judgment, entered minutely into the circumstances of the case. He declared his opinion, that in the first instance, the Countess of Shrewsbury was competent to judge on the propriety of placing Miss Talbot in the convent. But since the young lady had been into the world, and her prospects had otherwise changed, and since it became uncertain how long the Earl and Countess would remain absent from this country, Dr. Doyle ought to have exercised greater diligence in his care over his ward. Dr. Doyle had been remiss in not applying to the court till an intimation was lately made as to the propriety of his so doing; especially when he became aware that the mind of the young lady was wavering, and that it was becoming uncertain whether she would not become a nun. A very high contempt of the authority of the court would have been committed by allowing a ward of court either to become a postulant or to take any other step calculated to bind her future life to any particular course. He believed that ever since the Statute of Westminster it had been a very high offence to make a ward of court take the veil-an offence liable to indictment, heavy forfeiture, and imprisonment. That statute continued. If a marriage were contracted without the approbation of the court, it was a contempt of the court: à fortiori, much more so was it to make persons devote themselves to a religious life; marriage was consistent with persons retaining their ordinary position in life, but taking the veil was so serious a charge, that to allow a person not arrived at the age of maturity to bind the future life, not probably by ac.uil vows, but by some influence or other more cogent than physical force, was a much greater offence; and the Lord Chancellor declared that he should have had no hesitation, and should have felt it his duty, to commit bishops, priests, governesses, clergymen, or any other who had been connected with such a transaction. But no bad motives could be imputed to Dr. Doyle, as he seemed to have been under the impression that the young lady was in the convent as a boarder; and, therefore, the interests of the ward did not require his removal. reference to Mr. Craven Berkeley's petition, the Lord Chancellor felt that upon the whole it had been of great advantage to the ward. But the most material, statements in that petition were not correct. The Lord Chancellor had ascertained from personal conversation with Miss Talbot, when he visited Alton Towers, that the marriage then on the carpet was not regarded with personal repugnance by Miss Talbot; and when it was broken off, chiefly from the Lord Chancellor's own disapproval of it, Miss Talbot expressed her resignation in terms not consistent with the notion of the alleged repugnance. The matter thus

In

charged in Mr. Berkeley's petition was of a character deeply reflecting on other parties, and was unfounded in fact. In that point of view solely, the petition might be dismissed with costs; but the petition had been the means of rendering a great and worthy service to the court and to the ward. The order of the court, therefore, was, that Mr. Berkeley's petition be dismissed, and that the costs be paid out of the estate.

19.-The Bishop of Exeter issues a pastoral letter to his clergy in lieu of his triennial charge. The epistle charges the Archbishop of Canterbury with holding heretical opinions, and concludes with the convocation of a diocesan synod.

23. The hundredth anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries celebrated at Freemasons' Tavern. On the same day the three hundredth anniversary of Shrewsbury School was celebrated.

26.-Inquiry into the death of James Tomlin, barrister, who was killed by falling from his window in King's Bench Walk, Temple. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

28.-Died at Eaton-square, aged 81, Admiral Codrington, the hero of Navarino.

30. The House of Commons agree to a motion offering a reward for the apprehension of persons connected with the St. Albans' election, who had hitherto eluded the service of the Speaker's warrant.

May 1.-Opening of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park. This event drew together a greater assemblage of people than was ever known in London before; as many as half a million, it was thought, being massed together in Hyde Park about noon, when the Queen drove from Buckingham Palace. The line of carriages of all descriptions reached westwards from the entrance gates of the Park to Kensington towards Hammersmith, and eastwards as far as Long-acre. The day on the whole was beautiful, one passing shower, which fell shortly before the Queen made her appearance, serving but to lay the dust and freshen the air. The Queen left Buckingham Palace a little before twelve o'clock. Nine carriages conveyed her Majesty, Prince Albert, two of the royal children, with a number of visitors and attendants, up Constitution-hill, and along Rotten-row, to the northern entrance of the Palace. As the cortège drew up, the reception of her Majesty was enthusiastic, and she entered the building amidst a burst of genuine good feel ing. The doors had been opened at nine o'clock for the holders of season tickets. The crowd kept flowing in for more than an hour in such

dense columns, that the temporary barriers placed to protect the space round the throne were in part swept away, and the entire nave seemed to be permanently in possession of the spectators. The Duke of Wellington arrived early, and was particularly noticed, as was also Mr. Paxton, who designed the building, and the Mandarin Hesing, of the Chinese junk. As her Majesty ascended the throne, attended by the Royal Family and the distinguished visitors to her Court, the organ pealed forth the notes of the National Anthem; and the immense choir collected for the occasion accompanied the music. At the close, Prince Albert joined the Royal Commissioners (who then drew near to the throne), and read to her Majesty the Report of their proceedings. After an account of the origin of the Exhibition, and the efforts made to accomplish its object, the Report proceeded: "Within the short period of seven months, owing to the energy of the contractors, and the active industry of the workmen employed by them, a building has been erected entirely novel in its construction, covering a space of more than eighteen acres, measuring 1,851 feet in length, 456 in extreme breadth, capable of containing 40,000 visitors, and affording frontage for the exhibition of goods to the extent of more than ten miles." The Queen read a reply, cordially concurring in the prayer "that by God's blessing, this undertaking may conduce to the welfare of my people, and to the common interests of the human race, by encouraging the arts of peace and industry, strengthening the bonds of union among the nations of the earth, and promoting a friendly and honourable rivalry in the useful exercise of those faculties which have been conferred by a beneficent Providence for the good and the happiness of mankind." The Archbishop of Canterbury approached the throne, and offered up a prayer, invoking a blessing on the undertaking. At the close, the choir joined in singing the Hallelujah Chorus. The Royal procession was next formed, and moved slowly round the interior of the building amid vehement cheers and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, till it returned to the point from whence it started. The Marquis of Breadalbane then announced in a loud voice that the Queen declared "the Exhibition open," a flourish of trumpets giving intimation of the fact to the multitudes outside. The Royal party withdrew, as the choir took up the strains of the National Anthem. The barriers which had hitherto restrained the spectators within narrow limits were now withdrawn, and the pent-up mass spread over every part of the building.

1.-Lord John Russell's bill for admitting Jews into Parliament read a second time, by a majority of 202 to 177. There was no division on the second reading.

2. Mr. Hume's motion, limiting the Income-tax for one year, that the entire scheme of taxation might be considered by a

Select Committee, carried against ministers by 244 to 230.

3.-San Francisco almost entirely destroyed by fire, being the seventh time the city had been so scourged during the four years of its existence.

4.-M. Schoffler, a Roman Catholic priest, suffers martyrdom at the town of Son Tay, Cochin China.

9.-Seven thousand pounds' worth of golddust stolen from the carriages of the South Western Railway in the course of the transit from Southampton to London. One of the boxes was found near the Winchester railway station, secreted there, apparently, by one Pamplin, a tailor living in Soho. He was found guilty of receiving the same knowing it to have been stolen, and sentenced to transportation for ten years.

10. The Metropolitan Local Commissioners of the Great Exhibition entertain the Foreign Commissioners at the Castle Hotel, Richmond.

A court-martial, sitting at Colombo, acquit Captain Albert Watson of the charges of severity and untruthfulness brought against him in connexion with the suppression of the rebellion in Ceylon, 1848.

12. The Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn-street opened by Prince Albert. Sir Henry de la Beche read an address to his Royal Highness, embodying in a concise form the origin and progress of the Institution. A tinge of sadness was cast over the ceremony by the death, in the course of the preceding day, of the curator, Mr. Phillips.

Captain Somerset committed to the House of Correction twelve days for assaulting a policeman.

13. Great match at York for 1,000 guineas, between Lord Eglinton's Flying Dutchman, the winner of the Derby and St. Leger in 1849, and Lord Zetland's Voltigeur, the winner of the same races in 1850. The former carried 8 st. 8 lbs., and was ridden by Marlow; the latter 8 st., and was ridden by Flatman. Voltigeur took the lead and held it at great pace till round the last turn; the Dutchman then drew up, and at the gravel-road got his head level; he was a little first half-way up the distance, and won cleverly, but not easily, by a length.

a

In the Court of Exchequer, Lord Campbell gives judgment in the case of Boosey v. Purday, involving an important feature in the law of copyright. The opera "La Sonnambula" was composed by Bellini, while residing as an alien at Milan, in 1831. When the work was complete it was legally assigned to Ricordi, also an alien. Ricordi came to England, and assigned to Boosey, the plaintiff, who was an Englishman born, the copyright of the opera "for and in Great Britain." Boosey published the opera on the 10th of June, 1831; and there had been no prior publication either in this

country or abroad. The defendant, Purday, pirated "A Cavatina from the opera of La Sonnambula' by Bellini," thrus published; and the plaintiff then raised his action. On the authority of a previous case between the same parties, Baron Rolfe, now Lord Cranworth, directed the jury to find a verdict for the defendant; a bill of exceptions was thereupon tendered; and the case brought into this court of error. Lord Campbell delivered the judgment of the court, establishing the right of an alien author to acquire a British copyright, by first publishing his works in this country. The court were of opinion that Baron Rolfe's direction was wrong, and that he ought to have directed the jury to find a verdict for the plaintiff.

16. Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton's comedy, "Not so Bad as we seem," performed at Devonshire House, in aid of the newly-organized Guild of Literature and Art. The Queen and Prince Albert were present. Among the amateurs were C. Dickens, D. Jerrold, J. Foster, R. H. Horne, Mark Lemon, and Frank Stone.

17.-Fall of an extensive building in course of construction in Gracechurch-street. An iron girder in the top storey was heard to give way with a crack, and the entire centre portion of the structure fell to the earth. Six of the workmen were killed.

18. Fire in the Rose and Crown Tavern, Lower Thames-street, causing the death of the proprietor and three other of the inmates.

20. James Young, a gentleman of property, residing in the neighbourhood of Regent's Park, commits suicide by laying his neck across the rails near the Camden railway station when the Liverpool mail train was advancing at great speed.

21. In a Convocation holden at Oxford, it was resolved, by 249 to 105, to affix the University seal to a petition praying the Queen to revoke the University Commission, or allow the University to be heard against that Commission by counsel.

22.-The Governor of New South Wales issues a proclamation at Sydney claiming the precious metals in the newly-discovered gold districts, and threatening with punishment all who should search, or dig, without a licence of 305. per month.

Mr. Fox's motion in favour of secular education lost in the Commons by a majority of 30.

23.-Died at Florence, where he discharged the duties of British Minister, the Right Hon. Richard Lalor Sheil, aged 59 years.

26. First shilling day at the Great Exhibition 920/. taken.

27.-Debate on Mr. Henry Baillie's resolution relative to the harsh measures taken by Lord Torrington in the suppression of the disturbances in Ceylon, 1848. He sought to affirm,

"That the conduct of Earl Grey in signifying her Majesty's unqualified approbation of Lord Torrington's administration of Ceylon, has been precipitate and injurious, tending to establish precedents of rigour and severity in the government of her Majesty's foreign possessions, and injurious to the character of this country for justice and humanity.' After a discussion extending over two nights, and engaged in with great animation by both sides of the House, as it was understood the fate of the Ministry was involved in the result, the resolution was negatived by 228 to 202.

28. Riot at Tamworth on the occasion of a meeting of farmers of North Warwickshire in the Town Hall, for the purpose of discussing the grievances they were subjected to by the Free-trade policy. The rioters compelled the Protectionists to leave the building, and subjected them to a great amount of rough handling in the streets. Vehicles of the farmers were seized and cast over the bridge into the river. The rioters showing a disposition to continue the disturbances next day, the military were called out, and cleared the streets. Sir Robert Peel had previously caused circulars to be issued among his tenantry disapproving of the meeting.

31.-Unveiling of Rauch's equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, at Berlin, in presence of the King and his Ministers.

About this time various American female lecturers deliver addresses on a new costume, known as the "Bloomer," with a view of recommending its adoption in England.

The Hottentots rise in rebellion against the colonists of Caffraria and, joining the chiefs already in revolt, greatly harass the British troops scattered over the colony.

June 1.-The United Kingdom Alliance for the legislative suppression of the traffic in intoxicating drinks established at Manchester.

4. Terence Bellew M'Manus, sentenced to penal servitude for his complicity in the Irish Rebellion of 1848, escaped from Launceston, Australia, and lands at San Francisco, where he receives a public welcome.

6.-Lord Naas again defeats the Ministry on their proposal for going into committee on the financial resolutions already agreed to. On the proposal that the Chairman leave the chair, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was voted by 140 to 123. Lord Naas's resolutions were afterwards defeated by 194 to 166.

out

10. Three sons of the late Earl of Aldborough arrested at Leghorn for conspiracy.

12.-M. Victor Hugo sentenced to a fine of 500 francs and six months' imprisonment for writing an article in the Evènement, condemnatory of capital punishment.

13. The Plymouth packet wrecked and all on board lost, including 18 emigrants.

13.-Bal-costume at Buckingham Palace, the period chosen for illustration being the reign of Charles II.

The Government Bill for improving the Administration of Justice in the Court of Chancery, and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, read a first time.

14. Died at Brighton, aged 69, ViceAdmiral Sir Charles Malcolm, K. C.B.

16. Mr. and Mrs. Graham severely injured in a balloon which had ascended from Batty's Hippodrome, Kensington. In consequence of the silk getting torn by a flag-staff, the aeronauts were tossed about the north-western portion of London, at an altitude not much above the chimney-tops. They were ultimately jammed against the park front of Colonel North's house and thrown out on the roof.

Third jubilee of the Society for the Prodagation of the Gospel celebrated in Westminster Abbey. A meeting was held next day in St. Martin's Hall, Prince Albert in the chair.

17. Mr. Cobden moves an address, praying her Majesty to direct the Foreign Secretary to enter into communication with the French Government, with the view to a mutual reduction of armaments. Considerable discussion followed, after which the motion was withdrawn, Government concurring in its principle and object, but not engaging to enter into negotiations on the subject.

In his charge to the grand jury at Newcastle Assizes, Mr. Baron Platt takes occasion to comment on the conduct of the High Sheriff, Sir Horace St. Paul, for escorting the judges in a plain clarence carriage, instead of with the customary procession of javelin men, outriders, and trumpeters. "I cannot leave you," he said, "without expressing my regret, that in this great country, and in this great county of Northumberland, the gentry are so reduced as not to show the ordinary respect and loyalty to the Crown. It is not merely as judges that we come here: we are ministers under the Royal Commission. We have the honour, to attend before you under the commission or sign manual of her Majesty; and in this country, where any disloyalty or any disregard to the administration of justice is considered a slur, I do regret that the usual and ordinary garniture by which that loyalty is displayed should not have been exhibited on the present occasion." The High Sheriff, rising in considerable perturbation, said, "I have been directly charged with disloyalty. I publicly declare that the accusation is unjust and unfounded. I am as loyal a subject as there is in any county in the kingdom." The judge,

I must certainly say that, as a gentleman of ample means, that loyalty to the Crown and respect for her Majesty's commission has not been exhibited."

the London Tavern, presided over by the Earl of Carlisle.

21. The recipients of the "War Medal" entertain the Duke of Richmond to dinner, and present him with a piece of plate in acknowledgment of his exertions.

23. Fire at Montague-close, Southwark, destroying three warehouses, and injuring the church of St. Saviour.

The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, and the Jewish Disabilities Bill, pass through committee.

24.-Lady Godiva procession at Coventry celebrated with extraordinary splendour in presence, it was computed, of 60,000 spectators. 25. The first stone of the City of London Hospital for Consumption, at Brompton, laid by Prince Albert.

A Diocesan Synod convened by the Bishop of Exeter commences its sittings. The Dean and certain of the Chapter declined to attend, but of the thirty-two rural deaneries only two refused to send delegates. After special prayer the bishop delivered an address in vindication of Diocesan Synods as the legitimate means of restoring and defending the rights of the inferior clergy. Declarations of faith with regard to baptism were agreed to after some discussion, as was also another, that "the appointment to a see of Plymouth by the Pope is schismatical and void, setting up altar against altar in our diocese, and usurping the primacy of England."

Foundation-stone of the City of London Hospital for Diseases of the Chest, at Victoria Park, laid by Prince Albert.

26.-Excessive heat. Thermometer in Hyde Park 90° in the shade. In the Champ de Mars, Paris, during a review eight soldiers fell victims to coups-de-soleil.

Electioneering contest at Greenwich, between Alderman Wire and Alderman Salomons, who pledged himself, if elected, to take his seat in the House, and bring to an issue the question of the competency of Jews to sit in Parliament. He was elected by a majority of 887 votes.

27. On the Committee bringing up the report of the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, the Irish members retired in a body from the House, enabling Sir F. Thesiger to carry certain resolutions of which he had given notice, against the Government; they were three in number, and sought (1) to amend the first declaratory clause, so that it should apply to all rescripts, and not only to the one rescript establishing the hierarchy; (2) to give the prosecuting power to any individual with the sanction of the lawofficers of the Crown; and (3) to make penal the introduction of bulls. The first was carried against Ministers by 135 to 100; the second without a division; and the third by 165 to

109.

30. Mr. Thackeray concludes his course of lectures on English Humorists, in Willis's