524 "to the poft which I had occupied at the commencement of the engagement, and on "which the enemy had kept up a very "fevere fire: the fame fhot alfo carried "away the leg of Colonel Brown, and "having caufed his death, deprived the "company of a very old and faithful "fervant, and the army of an able ex"perienced officer." (See New Annual Register for 1782, page 44, Principal Occurrences, where the letter may be found at full length.) Friday 9. A refolution paffed the committee in the Houfe of Commons, to enable the East India Company to borrow two millions fterling, partly by annuities, and partly by adding 800,000l, more to their capital stock, fo as to make their whole capital in future, juft four millions. This addition to be made by opening a fubfcription, after the rate of 1601. for every 1ool. capital stock. Monday 12. Being Trinity Monday, the corporation of Trinity-houfe held their anniversary meeting, and proceeded in barges to New-hall, at Deptford, for the election of a mafter for the enfuing year, when Sir George Pocock was unanimously chosen. Tuesday 13. A court of aldermen was held at Guildhall, when Robert Peckham, Efq. attended, and requested permiffion to refign the office of alderman of the ward of Colman-street; which the court accepted, and voted him the fum of 200l. to be continued annually. The royal affent was given to fourteen public, and thirteen private bills, by commiffion. Wednesday 14. A diamond of immenfe value was prefented to his Majefty this day at the levee, by Lord Sydney, Mr. Haftings being prefent, of which Major Scott gives the following ac count. The Nizam fent a balfe of diamonds, fealed up, to Bengal, directed to Mr. Haftings, for the purpose of his prefenting them to the King on his arrival in England. Mr. Haftings had failed for England before the diamonds arrived in Calcutta. They were therefore entrusted to the care of Captain Church, of the 102d regiment, who took his paffage home in the Hinchinbroke; the fame of thefe diamonds, and of their immenfe value, had gone abroad; and when the Hinchinbroke went down in Bengal river, a Lafcar took advantage of the confufion, broke open the trunks of Capt. Church, and got poffeffion of the bulfe; it was, however, rescued from his hands before he had broken the feals, and was returned to Mr. Crofts, the agent of Mr. Johnstone, who is refident at the court of the Nizam. Mr. Crofts fent the diamonds to England by one of the late fhips, addreifed to the care of Mr. Blair, of Portland-place, who is the brother-in-law of Mr. E. Johnstone. Mr. Blair handed them to Mr. Haftings; Mr. Haftings entrusted them to Major Scott; Major Scott delivered them to Lord Sydney; and Lord Sydney prefented them to the King. Friday 16. A general court of proprietors was held at the India-houfe, when the late proceedings of the Directors and the board of controul were warmly difcuffed. The negociation of the Directors with the Minister, for the new loan, without the participation of the proprietors, was argued. Several of the Directors, finding the power of the court reduced to a fhadow by the board of controul, were highly incenfed; and the proprietors in general, finding their influence totally extinguished, thought it high time to make a ftand. Accordingly a motion was made for a general court on Wednesday. The Recorder made his report of the prifoners capitally convicted laft April feffions, when the following were ordered for execution, Edw. Griffin; Geo. Woodward; Phoebe Harris; Jonathan Harwood; William Watts; William Smith, alias Storer, and Daniel Keith, or Keaffe----James May, and Hanna Muliins, were refpited during his Majefty's pleasure. The royal affent was given by commiffion to nine public, and feveral private bills. Saturday 17. Two new fmacks, of 60 tons each, failed from Gravefend, for the turbot fishery on the Dogger-bank. They are private property, and are fitted for experience. They have nine men and a mafter each, mount four fwivel guns to repel infult, and depend for protection on the English cruizers. Monday 19. Came on to be tried before Lord Lough borough, in the Court of Common Pleas, the action brought by the right hon. Charles James Fox, againft Thomas Corbett, Efq; High Bailiff of Westminster, for not returning him as a reprefentative for Westminster, when duly elected by a legal majority of votes; the damages were laid at 100,000l. and the jury, after a few minutes confultation, gave a verdict of 2000l. damages. This fum, Mr. Fox has declared, shall be diftributed among the charities of Weftminuter. Wednesday 21. This morning the malefactors already mentioned were all executed according to their fentence. About a quarter of an hour after the platform had dropped, Phoebe Harris, the female convict, was led by two officers to a ftake, about eleven feet high, fixed in the ground, near the top of which was an inverted curve made of iron, to which one end of an halter was tied. The prifoner stood on a low ftool, which, after the Ordinary had prayed with her a fhort time, was taken away, and the hung fufpended by her neck, her feet being fcarcely more than twelve or fourteen HISTORICAL CHRONICLE. fourteen inches from the pavement. Soon after the figns of life had ceased, two cartloads of fagots were plased round her, and fet on fire; the flames foon burning the halter. She then funk a few inches, but was fupported by an iron chain paffed over her cheft, and affixed to the stake. It was more than three hours before the fire was extinguished, and then fome scattered remains were obfervable among the afhes. She was a well-made little woman, of a pale complexion, and rather handsome features. When brought to the ftake, fhe trembled much, and appeared to be struck with horror at the punishment she was to undergo. She never fpoke, but found abforbed in agony of mind. Wednesday 21. During the thunder ftorm this day, a fervant-maid ftanding at a door at Waltham Abbey, was tuck on the breaft by the lightning, and continued fenfelef for two days, fubject to frequent faintings, and her right arm and fhoulder benumbed. Saturday 24. Being Midfummer day, Charles Higgins, Efq. citizen and grocer, and Edward Watson, Efq. citizen and founder, were chofensheriffs for the year enfuing; and John Wilkes, Efq. continned chamberlain. Mr. Watfon has fince paid the ufual fine, which of courfe will occafion a new election. Sunday 25. The Sunday toll, on the Surry fide of Blackfriars bridge, commenced in purfuance of a late act of parliament for that purpofe. Wednesday 28. The three young princes, Erneft, Auguftus, and Adolphus, attended by Lord Howe and Gen. Faucet, went to Gravefend and embarked on board the Augufta yacht for Germany. The celebred Count Caglioftre, who is faid to have been fome days in this metropolis, was with fome foreigners of diftinction at the Haymarket theatre this evening. Thursday 29. It is rumoured at Paris, that the French cabinet has propofed to the English minifter a plan for the partition of India, as the ground of a permanent alliance between the two nations. This is intended to be at the expence of the Dutch; and France fuppofes England will accede to the propofal from a refentment of the conduct of Holland in the late war. The Dutch departed from their ufual caution and prudence in renouncing the friendship of England. They interpofed in a quarrel, when every intelligent European perceived that the difcontented colonies muft neceflarily be independent; and when it must be evident, that every advantage of the American trade muft foon be acquirod by the more induftrious nations, without the difcredit of unneighboarly interference, GENT. MAG. June, 1786. 525 or the risk and charge of actual hoftilities. from Bengal, there were brought over as a In the Warren Haftings, lately arrived prefent to his Majefty from one of the Nain the east fix hundred guineas a pair. They bobs, fix beautiful crown birds, which coft are of a most beautiful blue, resembling the goofe, and have a tuft or plume of white colour of a peacock's neck, are as large as a feathers on the top of the head, which looks like hair finely powdered. They are confidered as a great curiofity. By his Majesty's command, a new uniform has been made for the general officers of the army. It confifts of a scarlet coat lined with white, with blue cuffs, richly adorned with a plain broad gold lace. The waistcoat and breeches white cloth, and the buttons marked with a truncheon across a fword. general officers appeared in this dress, for the first time, on the King's birth-day. The About the latter end of last month the ftopping of the ordinary post-boy excited the the mystery has lately been unravelled by the furprize of the whole city of Naples; but imprisonment of many perfons of diftinétion, known, or fuppofed to be in the Spanish interest, and fecretly correfponding with the minifters of Madrid. LITERARY NOTICES. 1 May 13-13. Meffrs, Leigh and Sotheby's, the library of On thefe four days were fold by auction, at that eminent critic, Jonathan Toup, of whom we have already given an ample account, in vol. LV. p. 185, 340. It confifted of a fine collection of claffical 1781, in one vol. 8vo. by F. H. Starke. in 526 Particular Account of the Sale of the Portland Mufeum. in the fplendid edition of that hiftorian now in the Oxford prefs, where is alfo a most capital edition of Strabo. The greatest com. pliment that can be paid to this prefs is, perhaps, recording that at this auction a copy of Dr. Hudfon's edition of Dionyfius Halicarnaffenfis, large paper, fold for 171. PORTLAND MUSEUM. The, fale of this fine Museum commenced May 24, and ended June 7, lafting 38 mornings, at her Grace's house in Privy Gardens, by Mr. Skinner. The Catalogue was drawn out by that able naturalift the rev. Mr. Lightfoot, her Grace's learned librarian and beneficiary, who tells us in his preface, that it was her Grace's intention to have had every unknown species in the three kingdoms of Nature defcribed, and published to the world. But this noble defign was fruftrated, first by the death of Dr. Solander, and afterwards by her own. This collection, which had certainly to boast of great richness and variety, has fold uncommonly well, if we confider the comparative value of the feveral articles, and the exorbitant prices which the noble poffeffor had been induced to give for many of them, to please her own fancy, as well as that many had been prefented to her. The jewels brought high prices, but perhaps the antiquary may be difpofed to think that the curiofities did not bear fo good a price as they ought to have done. The price of what in the catalogue were intitled, EXCEEDING CURIOUS ARTICLES. An ivory tankard, on which is finely carved, in alto relievo, a Bacchanalian proceffion, with a filver-gilt bottom, the edges engraved, with a border of leaves, enriched with various precious ftones, fuch as rubies, topazes, fapphires, jacinths, emeralds, &c. the handle and lid are filver gilt, and decorated with jewels; and on the top is a boy fculptured in ivory. The height is fix inches and a half, the width at bottom five inches, and the top three and one quarter. The infide of the lid is enamelled, with a garnet in the center. Sold for 18 guineas and a half. A very curious gold enamelled antique cup, of extraordinary workmanship and elegant form, weight 23 oz. 2 dwts. 21 gr. Sold for 851. A very curious rofary, by Benevento Cellini, faid to be the rofary of Henrietta Maria, queen of King Charles I. who in her neceffities pawned it to the Duke of Orleans. In confifts of 6 plumb and 50 cherry ftones; the first most curiously carved with parts of history, the latter with heads of emperors; and on the reverfes emblems and mottos-of Among thefe laft was a lock of the hair of Mary Queen of France, daughter of Henry VII. taken from her corpíe at St. Edmund's Bury, 1784, by the late Sir J. Callum, bart. now fold for six gaineas. which a manufeript account is annexed.Sold to Mr. Jones for 44 guineas. A most remarkable fine ditto, by ditto, faid to have been the property of Pope Clement VII. confifting of 32 plumb-ftones of exquifite workmanship of fculptures on both fides, in relievo; and between each stone is a pearl, 32 in number, with a larger one on the top of the taffel-a manuscript account is annexed.-Sold to Mr. Rundel for 78 guineas. A piece of carving in wood, reprefenting landscapes, with views, in which is introduced water with veffels failings, and on land various representations of hunting, with boar, ftag, dogs, and men on horseback: the whole executed in a manner that is beyond description, and in the highest preservation. -Sold to Mr. Webb for 15 guineas. A gold box, with an exceeding curious Mofaic top and bottom.-Sold to Mr. Webb for 7 guineas. A fmall chimera of fine antique Mofaic, fet in gold as a ring, and turns upon a fwivel. The figure has the wings and feet of a bird, with a human face, and seems to be an bieroglyphic.-Sold to Mr. Townley for 12 guineas and a half. A precious fragment of an antique intaglio, an exceeding fine cornelian, fet in gold for a ring. It reprefents Hercules as low as the waift, fitting in a skiff, and a lion's skin for a fail; one of the paws is faftened by a firing, which hangs over the head of Hercules, whofe ftrength in neck and back is wonderfully expreffed in fo fmall a compafs, Sold to Mr. Jones for 45 guineas. A cameo of the head of Auguftus Cæfar, upon a remarkable fine onyx, the head white, upon a jacinth ground, the workmanship of fuperlative excellence. It was found at Malta. Sold to Mr. Jones for 225 guineaa. The head of Jupiter Serapi cut out of a green bafaltes, a moft inimitable piece of fculpture, of Egyptian workmanship, from the Barberini cabinet; the fize about four inches. The countenance is highly expreffive of fublimity and dignity, tempered with fweetnefs and grace. Sold to Mr. Humphries for 165 guineas. The most celebrated antique vafe, or sepulchral urn, from the Barberini cabinet at Rome. It is faid to have been the identical ura which contained the ashes of the Rom. Emp. Alexander Severus, and his mother Mammea, which was depofited in the earth about the year 235 after Chrift, and was dug up by order of Pope Barberini, named Urban VIII. between the years 1623 and 1644. The materials of which it is compofed emulate an onyx, the ground a rich tranfparent dark amethyftine colour, and the fnowy figures which adorn it are in bafs relief, of workmanship above all encomium, and fuch *Some, however, incline to afcribe it to Cellini, or his age. Sale of the Portland Museum.-Average Prices of Grain. as cannot but excite in us the highest idea of the arts of the ancients. Its dimenfions are 9 inches and three quarters high, and 21 inches and 3 quarters in circumference. A more particular account of this famous vafe may be found in Feb. Mag. p. 97. In Montfaucon's Antiquities, vol. V. book II. chap. VI. In Bartoli delle Sepulchri Antichi. In the des Barberinæ. In Wright's, Breval's, and Miffon's Travels. In Winkelman on the Arts of the Ancients, &c. &c. Sold to the Duke of Marlborough for 980 guineas. - A very fine gold cup and falver, weight 44 oz. 15 dwts. Sold to Mr. Jones for 166 guineas. The Collection of Hollar's works in 13 vol. confifting of the most beautifal impreffions of many scarce etchings, including many inedited drawings by that celebrated mafter, 3851. Eighteen drawings of Hollar's, in one lot, fold for 20 guineas. Two miniatures of Sir W. Raleigh, and his fon, Capt. Walter R. 441. A portrait of the Duchefs de la Valiere, by Petitot, 841. Two miniatures of Milton and his mother, 341. A fine miniature head of Christ, by Ifaac Oliver, 20.guineas. Queen Elizabeth's little Prayer Book, containing fix prayers compofed by her Majefty, and written by her own hand in the neatest and most beautiful manner on vellum; 527 two in English, the other four in Latin, Greek, Italian, and French. On the infide of the cover her own portrait, and at of the Duke D'Alencon, the binding black fhagreen with enamelled clafps, and in the center of each a ruby. By Mr. Glover for 100. guineas. A very fine illuminated miffal, presented by the Duchefs of Bedford, fifter to the D. of Burgundy, and wife of John D. of Bedford, regent of France, to Henry VI. 1430. with original portraits of the D. of Bedford (engraved among Houbraken's illuftrious Heads), and his wife Anne, Duchefs of Burgundy, and her deed of gift to the king, bound in crimfon velvet, with gold clafps, on which were engraved the arms of Harley, Cavendish, and Holles, quarterly. By Mr. Edwards, 2131. A most beautiful miffal, 6 inches by 4, prefervation, infcribed by him to the Duke illuminated by Julio Clovio, in the highest Earl of Oxford, from the Arundelian collecD'Alencon, 1537, purchased by Edward tion, with gold plates, covers, and clafps, 168 1. Ehret's drawings of plants and flowers, in lots of from three to nine, fold from two to feven or nine guineas a lot *. We cannot help regretting that Mifs Stone's drawings of infects, fotfils, &c. exhibited at Sir A. Lever's, fold just atter for fcarce as many thillings per lot. Poor encouragement to her art! 528 Births, Marriages, and Deaths, of confiderable Perfons. 20. 30. Duchefs of Beaufort, a deughter. MARRIAGES. T Sulcoats, near Kingston-upon 17. By fpecial licence, the Earl of Cork and Orrery, to the hon. Mifs Monckton, dau. of John late Viscount Galway. Mr. J. Thomas, filversmith, of St. James's ftr. to Mifs M. Lane, of Reading. L DEATHS. ATELY, Capt. Bryan Green, fometime A Hull, Jofeph Robinson Peafe, efq; She had been twice in America fince. The was banker, to Mifs Twigge. 23. Mr. Write, wine merchant, to Mifs Baker. 25. Lord Vernon, to Mifs Georgiana Fauquier, dau. of Wm. F. efq. 27 The Prince of Slefwick-Holftein to the Princefs Louifa Augufta of Denmark. The ceremony was performed in the picture gallery of the palace, according to the rites of the Lutheran church, in the prefence of his Danish Majesty, the Prince Royal, the Queen Dowager, Prince Frederic and his confort, the two younger Princes of Slefwick-Holftein, and the Princes of Holftein-Gluck!burgh, attended by the chief perfons of their respective houfholds. Sir W. Molesworth, bart. to Miss Parry. 30. H. Willon, efq; to Mifs Kennett, dau. of the late Ald. K. At Stepney, Mr. John Legge, of the Indiahoufe, to Mifs M. Prior. John Fonblanque, efq; to Mifs Fitzgerald. 30. Dr. James Ford, jun, to Mifs Fell. Mr. Thomas Croxton, purfer of the Winchelsea, to Mifs Hufon. 5 At Birmingham, Mr. John Pinkerton, of Park-hill, engineer of navigable canals, to Mifs Larkin, of Birmingham. 6. By fpecial licence, Lord Viscount Mal. den, to Mifs E. Stephenfon. Rev. Mr. Newton, of Witham, to Mifs M. Todd, of Illington. 7. At the cathedral church at Salisbury, the rev. Dr. Price, canon refi len iary, to Mifs Wroughton. Rev. J. Afkew, rector of North Cadbury, co. Somerfet, to Mifs Pochin, of Loughboro'. By special licence, Mr. Leech, of the Whale Fishery, to Mifs Vanderscombe, of Charing-crofs. Rev. Robert Burt, chaplain in ordinary to the Prince of Wales, to Mifs Gafcoyne, of Sunbury. S. Mr. R. Blackford, of Lombard-fir, to Mifs Simmons. Mr. Ivefon, attorney at law, of Mount-fir, to Mifs Blifs, dau. of Dr. B. of Paddington. At Malmbury, Philip Thickneffe, jun. efq; to Mifs E. Peacock 11. F. P. Stratford, efq; to Mifs M. Dickinfon, of Somerby, co. Leic. Capt. Greenway, to Mifs Reep. 85 years of age, and retained her senses to the day of her death. April.. In child- bed, the lady of Samuel Pipe Wolfrefton, efq; of Stotfold, co..Stafford, May... Lady Ducie, relict of the late Lord D. 9. At Dunbar, aged 114, Magnos Reid. He was born at Polmaife, near Stirling, and was bred a husbandman near Dunblain, and continued in that profeffion till about 30 years ago, when he commenced travelling chapman, which he practifed till within 8 weeks of his death. 8. At Leicester, Mr. Stephen Peck, plumber and glazier, aged 60. He was the laft of the male line of the ancient family of that name, who for many years have been refident at Enderby. He was alfo nearly related to Peck the antiquary. He left behind him a confiderable property, and the character of a worthy man. 13. In Covent Garden workhouse, Sarab widow of John Pond, fo well known at Newmarket, whofe daughter rode 1000 miles in 1000 hours, as related in Dr. Johnson's Idler. 24. At Warkworth, R. Clutterbuck, efq. 25. At Peckham, Mr, John Baldock, mer ant. His Moft Faithful Majefty PETER III. King of Portugal, in his 69th year, of an apoplexy. 27. At Langley, Kent, aged 85, Mrs. Anne Berkeley, relict of the late celebrated Dr. B. bishop of Cloyne. 28. Rev. Tilleman Hodgkingfon, rector of Sarfden, co. Oxf, and preb. of Lantaff. Jofeph Wathen, efq; of Newhoufe, in the parish of Stroud, co. Gloc. 30. In St. Paul's church-yard, Philip Bell, efq. A Dumfries, Charles Stewart, efq; of Shambelly. 31. At Poplar, aged 98, Capt. Jas. Onway. Jun... In Bread-ftr. Mr. Edwards, wholefale linen-draper. He was buried in the family vault in Ellefmere church yard, Shropfhire, to the poor of which parifh he has left rool. per annum; and the reft of his property, amounting to near 30,000l. to his reJations there, &c.* At the Hot Wells, Bristol, Mrs. Cholmoqdeley, |