On the 3d day of January a fire broke out in the house of Mr. Martin, grocer and tea-dealer in Bishopsgate-street: it was got under after destroying the whole of the premises, which are insured; happily no lives were lost.

A fire broke out on the 6th at Mrs. Fryars', Dyers-buildings, Gower-street, which destroyed the first and second floors: it was occasioned by a horse of clothes taking fire in the back room; and although Mrs. Fryars was in the front room, and gave immediate alarm, the flames had caught the cieling before assistance was afforded.

The earl of Bridgewater's magnificent castle, Ashridge, has several times lately escaped conflagration. Several of the apartments have at different periods been discovered on fire, but fortunately in time to prevent the diabolical intentions of the incendiary, who is yet unknown,

though suspicions are entertained respecting the offender.

A fire broke out at Woodley Farm, near Barnet, on Sunday night, the 5th instant, which did much damage. It was discovered in the kitchen, when the inmates were asleep, by a shepherd, who gave the alarm in time for the family to save themselves. The house, which was an old timber building, was destroyed, with many valuable improvements in machinery: but the southerly wind saved the farm-yard.

At the late sessions at Guildford an order was made for rating the Rev. Rowland Hill's chapel, towards the support and maintenance of the poor of the parish of Christchurch; and, on an inspection of the receipts and profits derived from the chapel, the magistrates fixed 6761. as a fair sum upon which the building ought to be rated. Mr. Webber's name, as treasurer of the chapel, was accordingly inserted in the next assessment, and a sum of 167. 18s. was charged. When the overseer applied to Mr. Webber, that gentleman refused to pay any thing: upon which refusal Mr. Meymott, solicitor, who is vestry clerk of Christchurch parish, applied to the magistrates at Union-hall for a summons, to be directed to Mr. Webber, calling on him to appear and show cause why he refused pay(A 2)

ment. Mr. Webber not having attended, Mr. Meymott proved that the rate had been duly demanded, and payment refused; and applied for a warrant of distress, which the magistrates granted. The defendants have declared their determination not to pay till they have the opinion of the court of King's Bench. Ely, Jan. 13.

It is with extreme regret we state, that a tremendous breach or gull has taken place in the Burnt Fen bank, near Mr. Speaker's on the river Lark, by which nearly 15,000 acres of land are inundated.

Extract of a letter from Plymouth, dated Jan. 21.-" We experienced yesterday morning one of the most dreadful storms that has been remembered by the oldest inhabitant. On Sunday evening, the wind at S. E. increased to a violent storm, and about twelve o'clock flew round to south, where it continued to blow with increasing violence until nearly eight o'clock in the morning, with a most terrible sea pouring into the Sound. This caused the water to flow many feet beyond the usual height, and all the lower parts of the town were inundated, and the damage done there by is very considerable. The appearance of the sea over the breakwater was awfully grand, and the damage done to that work is supposed to amount to upwards of 100,000. The effect of this storm on the vessels in this port has been truly distressing; and had not the force of the sea in some measure been broken by the breakwater, it must have been worse. The Jasper brig of war parted from her anchors in the Sound, during the gale, and went on shore near the Batten Point, where she shortly after went to pieces; and, melancholy to relate, only one seaman and a marine were

saved; the remainder on board, amounting to about 90 persons, amongst which were several women, were all drowned. The only officers on board (of rank) were the master and purser. The Telegraph schooner, lieutenant Little, drifted from her anchor between the island and main, and went on the rocks under the Hooe, and dashed to atoms. One seaman was killed by the wreck, and the purser and several of the crew were severely hurt. The Princess Mary packet, lately arrived from Jamaica, was lying at anchor in Catwater, from whence she drifted on the rocks in Deadman's Bay, and she soon went to pieces. Mr. Gidley, the master, his wife and son, a brother of Mrs. Gidley, and two seamen, were drowned. The sloop Albion, of this port, captain Coose, was totally lost at the back of the breakwater, during the gale, and all the crew perished. The Lapwing revenue cutter, during the gale, went on the rocks in Mill Bay; the crew fortunately got on shore in the boat: it is hoped that she may be got off. A fine new trawl-boat went on shore in Mill Bay, and is lost. Several ships have been stranded in different parts of the harbour, and great damage done to the small craft and small boats. At Cawsand the damage has been very great, estimated at upwards of 10,000l. where eight or ten houses have been washed away, and nearly 50 small boats destroyed, besides other damages. One person was washed away, and several others severely hurt by falling off houses-At Polpero 40 boats out of 45 were lost, and very considerable other damages. Indeed, we may expect to hear of nothing but calamity from all along the coast.

Considerable injury has also been sustained on various parts of the

coast

coast by this calamitous and awful visitation.-At Exmouth the tide rose higher than was ever remembered; the Passage-House was totally destroyed by the fury of the waves; as was also that strong stone-built custom-office, commonly called the Watch-House.-At Dawlish the storm was most tremendous, and has left strong marks of its ravages; a garden, in front of Mr. Cox's house, with all its contents, was completely swept off by the tide, and the large stones which formed the embankment wall were carried as far as the Warren, a distance of a mile and a half.-The banks of the Exe were overflowed, and many thousand seams of hay borne off by the waters.

31. The master and wardens of the ironmongers' company presented lord Exmouth and sir David Milne to the chamberlain in his outer office at Guildhall, as freemen of that company, in the presence of the lord mayor, several naval and military officers who served under his lordship at Algiers, and a numerous assemblage; when the chamberlain, having perused the certificates from the company, administered the usual oaths of a free. man, and agreeably to the resolutions of the court of common coun. cil admitted them into the freedom of the city of London, in the accustomed manner, with the sign of fraternity and giving joy. He then delivered to them the resolutions of the court written on vellum, and emblazoned with their respective arms and other appropriate decorations. After which he presented to each a superb sword.

THE CONGO EXPEDITION.

The detailed accounts of the expedition to explore the river Congo, or Zaire, have reached the admiralty. Melancholy as the result

has been, from the great mortality of the officers and men, owing to excessive fatigue, rather than to the effects of climate, the journals of captain Tuckey and the gentlemen in the scientific departments are, it is said, highly interesting and satisfactory, as far as they go; and we believe they extend considerably be. yond the first rapid or cataract. It would seem, indeed, that the mortality was entirely owing to the land-journey beyond these rapids; and that captain Tuckey died of complete exhaustion, after leaving the river, and not from fever. The climate, we understand, was remarkably fine; scarcely a shower of rain, or any humidity in the atmosphere, and the sun seldom shining out but for a few hours in the middle of the day; Fahrenheit's thermometer seldom exceeding 76 degrees by day, and never descending below 60 degrees at night-such a climate, in fact, as one would wish to live in: but an anxious zeal and over-eagerness to accomplish the objects of the expedition, and to acquire all the information that could possibly be obtained, seem to have actuated every one, from the lamented commander to the common seaman and private marine, and led them to attempt more than the human constitution was able to bear. The total number of deaths amount to i8; of which 14 were on the land expedition. They consist of captain Tuckey, commander of the expedition; lieutenant Hawkey, lieutenant of the Congo; Mr. professor Smith, botanist; Mr. Tudor, comparative anatomist; Mr. Cranch, collector of objects of natural history; Mr. Galwey, a friend of captain Tuckey, who volunteered from pure love of science; Mr. Eyre, the purser. The names of the remainder have not been returned. The Dorothy trans(A 3)

port,

Fort, that accompanied the Congo into the river, lost but one man, and he fell overboard and was drowned. -The following extract of a letter from Mr. Mackerrow, the surgeon of the Congo, details some of the melancholy particulars of the symptoms which the sufferers exhibited previous to their death:-" Of the eighteen who died in the river, fourteen had been on shore, marching for some time, and were far advanced before reaching the ship. Professor Smith, who saw many of them when taken ill, gave to some a dose of calomel, but to others nothing had been administered. The fever appeared in some degree contagious, as all the attendants upon the sick were attacked; and before we left the river, it pervaded nearly the whole crew; also some of the transports; but as for myself, although constantly among them, I did not feel the slightest indisposition until we left the coast, when I was attacked: however, I consider ed mental anxiety, and disturbed rest, as the sole causes. Captain Tuckey had been afflicted many years with a chronic bepatitis; and on returning from travelling five weeks on shore, he was so excessively reduced, that all attempts to restore the energy of his system proved ineffectual. Mr. Tudor was in the last stage of fever before I saw him; as were Messrs. Cranch and Galwey. Professor Smith died in two days after he came under my care; during which time he refused every thing, whether as nutriment or medicine. Lieutenant Hawkey was taken ill after leaving the river, and died on the fourth day: his case was rather singular-the symptoms were, irritability of stomach, with extreme languor and debility; but he had neither pain nor fever. Mr. Eyre had a vio

lent fever, and on the third day breathed his last;-before death, a yellow suffusion had taken place, with vomiting of matter resembling coffee-grounds."

It is pleasing to observe the facility with which useful institutions are adopted, under the harmony at present subsisting among mankind. We have intelligence, that the provident or saving banks, which have been established so beneficially here, are about to be resorted to in the United States. At Boston the plan is in progress, and is not left to individual benevolence, but is countenanced by a large body of the members of the state legislature; and the measure is very soon to receive its high sanction.

Extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Marsden to the secretary of the Missionary society, dated June 7, 1816:"A vessel has just arrived from the Society Islands, but has brought no letters for me, or for your society: they are on board another vessel which is not yet arrived here. I have seen a letter from Mr. Davies to my colleague, the rev. W. Cowper, which contains the most flattering accounts. I have conversed with the master of the vessel, and passengers, on the subject of the mission; and all accounts agree, that a most wonderful change has been produced in all the Society Islands; and the spread of the Gospel seems to be almost universal. mare is become a great man, and a pious Christian, as appears from the whole of his conduct. I understand he is now a sovereign once more. His enemies made an attack upon him and his people on the sabbath day, when they imagined they would not defend themselves; but Pomare felt it his duty to fight on the sabbath, in defence of himself and subjects. In this battle he obtained a complete

Po

complete victory, and took many prisoners, whose lives he spared, contrary to their custom; which has had the most happy effect upon the minds of his enemies, as it has convinced them that the new religion is a merciful religion. Many have joined him from the accounts of his clemency."

FEBRUARY.

Windsor, Feb. 1.

His majesty has been uniformly quiet, yet cheerful, during the last month. His majesty's disorder is undiminished, but his bodily health continues very good.

13. The very novel occurrence of the issue of the new silver coinage took place this day in the metropolis, as well as in all parts of the kingdom; and every thing was conducted with great order, and to the satisfaction of the public.

14. This day Watson, Preston, Hooper, and Keen, alias Kearns, were after separate examinations before the privy council committed to close custody in the Tower for high treason.

The Waterloo subscription fund now approaches very near

to

500,000l. an evidence of national spirit and gratitude worthy of the occasion. Out of this sum, annuities to the amount of more than 18,000l. have been voted to widows, children, and to privates who have suffered the loss of limbs; and upwards of 140,000: given in donations, including sums voted to our allies.

J. C. Curwen, esq. M.P. has appropriated forty-two acres of potatoes to the poor of Workington: the produce is nearly 18,000 bushels, which, at the present price, are worth upwards of 2000%.

At Stonyhurst, near Preston, the order of the Jesuits has for thirty years past possessed a spacious col

lege, which is exclusively a college of Jesuits-is amply supplied with all the materiel and morale of Jesuitism, and is carrying on the work of catholic instruction and protestant conversion upon the most large and extensive scale. The studies at this. place are conducted upon the same system, and to the same extent as at the catholic universities abroad; and there are regular professors in divinity, mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, &c. The college, which is a very large building, is capable of containing at least 400 or 500 pupils, independent of professors, managers, and domestics.

At a meeting of the commissioners appointed to manage the yearly grant of 10,000l. voted by parliament for finishing the college of Edinburgh, the plan of Mr. Wm. Playfair being adopted, the prize of 100 guineas was adjudged to that gentleman. The second prize, of 80 guineas, was awarded to Mr. Burn. According to Mr. Playfair's plan, the exterior of the building, as originally planned by Adams, is to be retained with very little alteration; but there will be a total departure from the internal arrangements. The southern side of the quadrangle is to be occupied almost entirely by the library, which will be 190 feet long, and one of the most elegant rooms in the kingdom. The western side is to be appropriated to the museum; and the other two sides are to be occupied chiefly as class-rooms. The original proposal of accommodating the professors with houses in the college is entirely abandoned. The whole of this magnificent structure, which will be a lasting monument of the national taste, will be completed in six or seven years.

26. A most destructive fire occurred at Darlington, Yorkshire, by (A 4)

which