This town is situate in that part of Sicily called the valley of Demona, on the side of the river Tortorica, about 25 miles from the Tuscan sea. The towns of Randazze, Francaville, and several others, have likewise been destroyed by this great flood. It is added, that Mount Etna casts out such abundance of water, that all the neighbouring country is drowned.”

EFFECTS OF TEMPERANCE.

Sir Henry Blunt died in Hertfordshire, some time in the year 1682, at the very great age of 90. It is related of this gentleman, that he transferred his estate, with the inheritance, producing between four and five hundred pounds per annum, to Sir John Harper of Derbyshire, on condition that he should receive an annuity of 1000l. for life. The temptation on the part of the latter appears to have arisen from the character of Blunt, who was ardently fond of travelling, and not less so of the bottle, two propensities which promised a speedy and profitable termination of the annual payment. Blunt, sensible of the advantage he had gained, determined to lead a new life, and became one of the most temperate of men, and actually received 40,000l. for his inheritance. "This," says Langley Curtiss, in his Mercury, " may serve for advice to all debauchers, to become sober and temperate, if it were only to preserve their lives."

BRAVERY

BRAVERY AND PATRIOTISM OF BRITISH SEAMEN

IN 1688.

The castle at Gosport was situated on low ground directly facing Portsmouth, which it commanded with twenty cannon. The Irish soldiers who were in England at that period acted with great violence in favour of the court, and roused the terrors of the country by the most cruel threats of rapine and bloodshed. Several sailors, who had observed the turbulence of the Irish, determined to obtain possession of the Castle, which they accomplished by stratagem. Loitering near the gates, they proposed a drinking-party to those within their view: the offer was accepted; and, entering, they very soon beat the garrison out.

The Duke of Berwick, being informed of this strange and unexpected occurrence, sent a messenger to demand the evacuation of the place. Far from complying, the sailors returned a spirited answer, declaring they would surrender the Castle to any Protestant commander the Duke would appoint, but to no other. These brave sons of Neptune were relieved from the difficulties of their situation by the Revolution which took place in December.

WILLIAM III. AND THE ESTATES OF SCOTLAND.

The Revolution alluded to in the preceding anecdote having placed William III. on the throne

N

throne of England, the estates of Scotland adopted immediate measures to secure to their own country the advantages of the new government; and, for that purpose, sent a deputation to London, whose proceedings with the King at Whitehall are related in the article below, composing the second number of a work on the affairs of Scotland, published in the form of a newspaper, May 24th, 1689.

"The Earl of Argyle, Sir James Montgomery of Skelmorly, and Sir John Dalrymple of Staire, the commissioners sent by post by the meeting of the Estates of Scotland to offer their Majesties the Crown of that kingdom, about three of the clock, met at the Council-chamber, and from thence were conducted by Sir Charles Cottrell, master of the ceremonies, attended by most of the nobility and gentry of that kingdom, who reside in and about this place, to the Banqueting-house, where the King and Queen came, attended by many persons of quality; the sword being carried before them by the lord Cardross (and their Majesties being placed on the Throne under a rich canopy), they acquitted themselves in their commission as follows.

"The Earl of Argyle (before the presenting of the letter from the meeting of the Estates of Scotand to the King) spoke thus:

May it please your Majesty,

'It cannot be unknown in how sad and deplor

able

able a condition the kingdom of Scotland was, not many months ago; the liberty and property of the subject quite destroyed, either upon pretence of law, without any ground, or by such laws as were designed and calculated for enslaving us; our religion exposed, and laid open to be ruined by the treachery of our clergy, as well as by the compliance of our rulers. And so far had this Popish and arbitrary design run on, that we were very nigh past hopes of a recovery, when it pleased God to raise up your Majesty to be the glorious instrument of retrieving our religion, liberty, and property, from the very brink of ruin.

'It is from the grateful and dutiful sense of so happy and unexpected a delivery, as well as from the respect due to the blood of their ancient Monarchs, that the Estates of Scotland have commissionate us to make a humble tender to your Majesty, and your Royal Consort, of that crown and kingdom, with the firm persuasion and assurance of this rooted in their hearts, that the care and protection of religion, liberty, and property, could be nowhere so well lodged as in the hands of your Majesties, their great and glorious deli

verer.'

"Then his Lordship presented to his Majesty the following letter; which, being delivered back, was read by Mr. Eliote, the secretary to the commission.

"A letter from the Estates of Scotland
to the King.

May it please your Majesty,

The settling of the monarchy and ancient government of the kingdom admitting no delay, we did, upon the eleventh instant, proclaim your Majesty and your Royal Consort King and Queen of Scotland, with so much unanimity, that of the whole House there was not one contrary vote. We have nominated the Earl of Argyle, Sir James Montgomery of Skelmorly, and Sir John Dalrymple, younger, of Stair, in our name, to attend your Majesties with the cheerful offer of the Crown; and humbly to present the petition, or claim of right, of the subjects of the kingdom. As also to represent some things found grievous to this nation, which we humbly entreat your Majesty to re-mead by wholesome laws in the first Parliament. And in testimony of your Majesty's and the Queen's acceptance, we beseech your Majesties, in presence of these sent by us, to swear and sign the oath herewith presented, which our law hath appointed to be taken by our Kings and Queens at the entry to their government, till such time as the great affair allow this kingdom the happiness of your presence in order to the coronation of your Majesties.

We are most sensible of your Majesty's kindness and fatherly care to both your kingdoms, in promoting their union, which, we hope, hath been

reserved