LATE ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Hobart Town Courier, Dec. 23.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 150, 6 January 1847, Page 3

LATE ENGLISH NEWS. [From the Hobart Town Courier, Dec. 23.]

Whitehall, August 18, 1846. — The Queen has been pleased to order Letters Patent to pass the Great Seal conferring the honour of Knighthood upon Alfred Stephen, Esq., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Parliament was prorogued on the 28th August, by commission. The speech was read by the Lord Chancellor as follows :—: — " My Lords and Gentlemen — " We are commanded by her Majesty to express to you the warm acknowledgments of her Majesty for the public spirit you have evinced in the discbarge of your laborious duties during an anxious and protracted session.. " Her Majesty trusts that you will be rewarded by witnessing the beneficial results of the measures which have been sanctioned by her Majesty for the present relaxation and ultimate repeal of protective duties on corn and sugar. " Her Majesty entertains a confident hope that the more free admission of the produce of foreign 'countries into the home market will increase the comforts and better the condition of the great body of her people. " Her Majesty feels the greatest satisfaction in reflecting, that her Majesty's efforts to settle, in a manner consistent with national honour, the conflicting claims of Great Britain and the United States, with respect to the territory on the North West coast of America, have been completely successful. " Her Majesty continues to receive from all foreign Powers the strongest assurances of their desire to cultivate friendly relations with ; this country. " Her Majesty commands us to congratulate you on the victorious course and happy conclusion of the war in India ; and her Majesty has much gratification in announcing to you that perfect tranquillity prevails through- , out the whole of the British possessions in that quarter of che world. " Gentlemen of the Home of Commons — . " Her Majesty has observed with satisfac- ] tion the care y<su have taken to prevent per- j manent loss to the revenue, and to maintain the public faith. " Her Majesty has commanded us to acknowledge the zeal and unanimity with which you assented to the increase in the uaval and military estimates, which a regard to the exigencies of the public service induced her Majesty to propose for your consideration. i " My Lords and Gentlemen — i I " Her Majesty has to lament that the recurrence of a failure in the potato crop, in an .aggravated degree, will cause a serious deficiency in the quantity of a material article of food. " Her Majesty has given her cordial assent ; lo measures by which this, calamity may be mitigated in that part of the United Kingdom where the cultivation of the potato has hitherto afforded the chiei supply for the subsistence of the people. '* Her Majesty has seen with pleasure that a considerable diminution of crime and outrage has taken place in those counties of Ireland which, had been most disturbed. " Her Majesty is confident that on your retarn to your several counties you will find a spirit of loyalty generally prevalent. The extension of works of improvement has increased the demand for labour, and the tranquillity of the country has favoured the pursuits of industry in ajl its branches.

" Her Majesty trusts thatby a combination of prudence with enterprise, and oft a willing obedience to law with a desire for social progress, her people will, through the Divine'blesing, enjoy the full advantages of peace." Her Majesty and Prince Albert were continuing their tours of inspection and pleasure. Jersey; "Guernsey, and the Duchy of Cornwall have been favoured with Royal visits. At all these places her Majesty and his Royal Highness met, as usual, with a " most loyal reception." After a week's cruise in the channel, the Queen and her Royal Consort returned to their island home at Osborne House. The Morning Chronicle suggests that there is another island within the compass of the Queen's dominions equally accessible with Jersey, and equally interesting to a British Sovereign, in which the honour of a royal visit would be responded to with the same enthusiastic and ! warm-hearted loyalty, and might be produc- | tive of consequences even more valuable to ; the empire. This suggestion concludes with the expression of a confident belief that " Ire* land will, at no distant day, be indulged with the opportunity of testifying that affectionate allegiance to the Crown and person of Queen ; Victoria, which even the hottest political agitation had never really impaired, and which the profoundest social aud physical wretchedness leaves in all its generous and noble integrity." In connection with this sympathetic appeal in behalf of " poor old Ireland," we may add that the most recent accounts from this hajless portion of the empire are very distressing* According to the Atlas of September 12th, " the destitution of the people is alarmingly on the increase. In variops quarters the corn-mills are actively at work, providing food for the farmers whose potato crops have been destroyed. As long as this source of supply continues, there need be no fear for those who possess grain, which will be converted into food for the peasant, instead of rent fcfr the landlord. But there are millions of the people who never had corn, and who have lost their sole means of sustenance in the destruction of their potatoes. The gentry in various quarters are preparing to meet, in the hope of being able to grapple, with the terrible difficulties of their position." In the mean time, the Lord Lieutenant has issued a circular, directing the measures rendered necessary by the present awful state of the country, to the Lieutenants of the counties. His Excellency expresses himself "fully sensible of the patient endurance which has marked the character of the Irish people under great privations ; and he trusts that the assurance of his unceasing anxiety to alleviate their distress by every means in his' power, will tend to allay excitement in their minds, and prevent those numerous assemblages, which, while they create alarm in the minds of many, can effect no advantage to those who 'join in such demonstrations." The present Lord Lieutenant appears to be extremely popular. At a- recent "bespeak" at the Theatre Royal, Dublin, his Excellency was received " with all the fervour which an Irish audience alone could express." On the entrance of the noble earl, accompanied by the Ladies Ponsonby, the whole house rose, and continued to pour forth applause peal a/ter peal for several minutes. The Ladies Ponsonby were attired in poplin of Irish manufacture. In the glowing language of the correspondent of the - Atlas, " they wore" wreaths of shamrock, and shawls of Limerick lace were thrown over shoulders which rivalled them in whiteness, and harps, formed in Irish diamonds, sparkled on brows as pure and as bright as the national gem." After the first act, the applause for his Excellency was renewed, and a " cheer for the Ladies Ponsonby"ieing demanded, was responded to with thrilling effect. The Irish Government has evinced its determination to carry out the " Act to facilitate the employment of the labouring poor," with the promptitude and energy which the present crisis demands, as a means of at once employing and feeding the people. At a late meeting of the Irish Eepeal Association, Mr. O'Connell deprecated the proceedings of the " Young Ireland" men and the physical-force-doctrines which they held. He exulted in the evidences o.f approbation of his peaceable, virtuous, and moral-force-sys-tem of obtaining repeal and regenerating the country. He was never in his life more convinced than now of the necessity of repeal. At the same time he admitted that the pre-" sent Government was doing all they could for Ireland ; but he knew they would be unable to accomplish all that was necessary. In the meanwhile, he and his association would give the Government all the support in their power. The Cobden Testimonial Fnnd has mounted to £7 2,000, with every prospect of reaching £100,000, and all contributed without any public agitation or demonstration. A splendid banquet, at which 300, gentlemen sat down, has been given to Mr. Cobdem at Bordeaux, The health of "the h«o of

•the day" was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm. - Mr. Cobden returned thanks in an -eloquent address, concluding with these prophetic words, — " Gentlemen, I cannot doubt that, in France, free trade will find worthy interpreters. Without doubt, some one of your emiuent men, with the eagle glance of genius, will perceive the glory which" will be attached to him who carries out such principles, and will join his name to the noblest revolution of modern times. The spirit of the age calls nations to a fraternal union. Physical sciences, steam-boats, railways, postoffice reform, are preparing the way for it, and it is reserved for free trade to complete the fusion. Already the banner of free trade is floating victoriously over my own country, and, with the aid of Providence, nations will pass it on from hand to hand until the world is enveloped in its folds !" These sentiments were received with thunders of applause. The free-traders of Sheffield have presented a case of most recherch.6 dessert cutlery to Colonel Perronet Thompson, in acknowledgement of his valuable services in their cause. The case contained eighteen pairs of carved mother of pearl silver knives and forks, one pair melon carvers, two pairs pickle knives and forks, two butter knives, one pair of grape scissors, ami four pairs of nutcracks ; the whole enclosed in a splendid mahogany case, • lined with blue silk velvet, and bearing a silver shield with an appropriate inscription. The Lyons journals state that a meeting las taken place in that city for the purpose of forming a free trade association. Some terrible disease is stated to be making fearful havoc amongst the cattle in the country districts of England. Hundreds have died from it. The same pestilential influence seems to be at work in the vegetable kingdom, and potatoes and turnips, especially, have suffered to an alarming extent. The wheat crops alone seem to have escaped uninjured. The Doncaster St. Leger was won by Mr. W. Scott's " Sir Tattqn Sykes." The annual meeting of the British Association was held at Southampton, and is stated to have gone off with great eclat. Prince Albert was present in his private capacity as a membeir of the association. This first recognition of its labours for the promotion of science, by royalty, was expected to give a new impetus to its exertions both at present and in perspective. Sir David Pollock, having been appointed Chief Justice of Bombay, had left England to enter upon the duties of his office. The Bishop of St. Asaph and Sir John Williams are included in the recent deaths. The amiable and much respected Lord Metcalfe died on the sth September, after a lengthened and most painful illness, at Malshanger House, Basingstoke. A cancer, with which the noble lord was first attacked in Canada, terminated fatally, after having committed frightful ravages on his constitution. The deceased, Charles Theophilus Metcalfe, Baron, of Fern Hill, Berkshire, in the peerage of the United Kingdom, and a Baronet, P.P., G.C.8., was born January 30, 1785, and consequently died in his 62nd year. He was the son of Thomas Theophilus Metcalfe, Esq. of Fern Hill. The. raising of the deceased to the peerage is a somewhat recent event, having taken place in 1845. Lord Metcalfe's career was a remarkable as well as a brilliant one, though almost entirely confined to a service in the East Indies and the colonies (Jamaica and Cauada.) The Atlas remarks, " that the nation will mourn his loss, as one of the most able and upright of our public men, whose services will long be remembered with gratitude and respect." In one of the pieces performed at the French plays, on the occasion of a recent visit of the Queen and Prince Albert, the following line occurred, "The wife should reign but not govern." This seemed to create * good deal of merriment in the Royal Box. The Eoyal Naval Club House, Bondstreet, with its contents, was sold by public j auction on Monday, 30th July, in conse- j <fuence of the dissolution of the club. Amongst the articles " submitted to public competition" were a full-length portrait of the JDuke of Wellington, by Morton, for which the Duke gave sixteen sittings, sold for 154 guineas ; a portrait of Nelson, and a full-length portrait of William IV., when Duke of Clarence, both by the same artist, which brought only 23 guineas; and two autograph letters of Nelson, one written before the loss of his right arm, and the other afterwards, enclosed in an oak frame made out of a plank of the Victory^ which were purchased by Captain Sweeney for £7 10s. j Mr. Green, accompanied by no fewer than twelve ladies and gentlemen, ascended from j Cfemorne Gardens in his large Nassau Balloon. The machine passed over Londqn at a low altitude, affording an excellent view of the town to the voyagers and of the balloon to the townspeople. After being in the air -fifty-two minutes, it descended at Leyton, in JSifex.

A severe shock of earthquake was felt at Leghorn on the 27th August. Intelligence had been received of the death of the Right Rev. Bishop Luscombe, for many years chaplain of the British Embassy at Paris. He died suddenly at Lausanne, on the 24th of August, of disease of the heart. The death of this prelate created a vacancy in the chaplaincy of the embassy, which is in the gift of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Great progress was making in the demolition of Westminster Bridge. Prince George of Cambridge, it was understood, would enter upon his duties as Commander of the Southern District of Ireland early in October. His official residence was fixed for Limerick. During a late voyage of the William Jolliffe, steam-packet from London to Yarmouth, the passengers were startled by the informa- ! tion, that they would probably have their number increased, as one of the passengers was very near her confinement. A well-known member of parliament acted as midwife, in all probability for the first time in similar circumstances. The recent obituary records the demise of the Marquis of Ailsa, who expired on Tuesday, Bth Septenuber, after a protracted illness, at his lordship's seat at IsJeworth. Lord Ashley was to be tho Conservative candidate at the election for the Lord Rectorship of Glasgow. Lord John Rubsell and Mr. Macauley were spoken of as likely to stand on the opposite interest. The probability of success was greatly in favour of the Premier. The unfortunate Prince Hugo of v Tour and Taxis, who perished in a duel at Gratz on the 27th August, was the eldest son of Charles Anselmo, a distinguished member of the princely house of Taxis. Hugo Maximilian, the son, was bom the 3rd July, 1817 ; and was an officer of Hussars in the Austrian service. In consequence of a dispute at at a ball, he J met in hostile xencontre a Captain Schired ; and, at the first fire, received his adversary's ball in his breast, and fell dead. The Directors of the Eastern Counties Hailway have placed on their rails a cigar divan and smoking saloon. On opening one^of the boxes supposed to contain Sycee silver (arrived from China per H.M.S. Serpent, as an instalment for the evacuation of Canton and the treaty of peace with that country,) the authorities were astounded to discover that, instead of bullion to the amount of £100,000 value, it was filled with lead. The Polten paper-mill, near Laswade, the property of Messrs. Annandale and Son, has been burnt down. The damage done is said to amount to £10,000 or £12,000. The property was insured. The fire originated in the rag- Loft, but by what means has not been ascertained. A Lilliputian war-steamer has been fitted up in the East India Docks, under the superintendence of Mr. Houghton, which carries five guns and draws not more than five feet water. The African coast was to be its destination. About two o'clock on the morning of the 10th September, the premises occupied by Messrs. Fainie and Co., Greenock. as a sugar house, took fire, and the greater part was consumed. The damage was estimated at from £50,000 to £80,000., One life was lost. Mr. Strutt, the eminent manufacturer, has been the successful candidate at the Derby election, having a majority of 288 votes. The most active preparations are making to build a Roman Catholic College upon the Dalkeith estate, three miles from Glasgow. The estate covers 70 acres. It is intended to be a splendid affair. Macready is performing the Shakesperian characters at the Surrey. The receipts at the last Birmingham Musical Festival, which terminated on the 28th August, amounted to £11,500. The General Hospital will benefit about £4000. At a Special Court of Commissioners of . Sewers for the liberty of Westminster, held on Friday, September 4th, Mr. W. H? Jenkins, of Paddmgton, builder, was sentenced to pay the large fine of £3000 for setting the orders' of the commissioners at defiance. The generous patron of the Queen's College, the Rev. Dr. Warneford, has presented ] the noble donation of £1000 to form an endowment fund for a medical tut' r to reside in the college, whose services will also be accessible to the non-resident students. — Birmingham Standard. Three hundred and-fifty female convicts for New Australia are to bs immediately put on board the hired convict ship Henri/ and Elizabeth, now lying off the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. One hundred of them were taken down yesterday by a Woolwich steamer, and placed on board for that destination. — Sunday Times, Sept. 6. The Rev. John Plumer, of Baliol College, Oxford, sou of the late Sir Thomas Plumer,

formerly Mister of'the Rolls, has made his public profession 'of the Roman Catholic faith. The rich -convent of Servites, near Prague, has lately been destroyed by fire. Not a single book of its extensive and valuable library could be saved. ' Mr. Richard Budden Crowder, Q.C., has been appointed by Sir G. Grey to the R'ecordership of Bristol, in the room of the late Sir Charles Wetherell. The; Paris Journal, the Constitutionnel, has been purchased by M. Mosselman, the brother to Countess Lehon, for 336, OOOf. The friends of M. Thiers bad offered 332,000f. , James Van Boven, capfoin ; John Cowlyn, one of the crew, and Johannes Henricus Gruny, a foreigner, en board the Unterfaichning, were severally adjudged six months' imprisonment and hard labour, on the 19th August last, for being found on board the said vessel within a league of the Lincolnshire coast, and having on board 6000lbs. leaf tobacco, in 3001b. packages, and 3000lbs. tobacco stalks, by which they were rendered liable to a penalty of £1000 and the forfeiture of vessel and cargo. The Cork Examiner says, that assurances have been received irom several parts of the country, that cholera has followed the use of I diseased potatoes. The out pensioners of Chelsea Hospital, \ on being paid their quarterly pensions, received a portion of their accoutrements, preparatory to being called out for active service. The last accounts from France confirm the news of the final settlement of the marriage question in Spa,in. It is considered that pri-> i -vate interests, and not the interests of Spain, have carried the day. At the same time that the Queen was affianced to the Duke of Cadiz, we are told that the marriage of the Infanta with the Duke de Mo,ntpensier was decided, and that all the preliminaries of the marriage ate now settled. Mr. Bulwer, the British Minister at the Court of Madrid, had addressed to the Spanish Government a protest against these nuptial 'proceedings. He conceived that the proposed marriage of the Infanta with the Duke de Montpensier was a question of transcendent importance, and might lead to the most serious complications ; but that, in the absence of precise instructions from his Government, he should limit himself to protesting -against ell proceedings in the matter until 'he should receive further instructions. The affair hadcreated more sensation upon the Continent than in England.

Interesting Discovery. — In the ball -which crowned the spire of the old market place at Breslau, just taken down, have been .found a plate of copper highly gilt, and bearing inscriptions of the date of 1574 — a large quantity of coins, gold, silver, and copper, of 1554 — and a box enclosing receipts for the prices of all the materials furnished for the construction of the tower, and the salaries of the wotkraen employed — as well as a record on parchment, stating that the tower was built by a furrier at Breslau, named Gladswisch, in conformity to r a judgment of 1570, which condemned him to erect it as the expiation of a murder by him committed.

Pill boxes and Lucifer Matches. — In the committee on the Oldham District Railway Bill, Mr. Nightingale, a manufacturer of lucifer matches and pill bo>es, at Newton Heath, states that he uses 500 tons of timber, and that he employs 300 persons on an average throughout the year ; that he exports to all parts of Europe and North America and Australia, besides sending large quantities to every part of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Denmark. — We read in a letter from Copenhagen, 24th ult.: ' Captain Ross, the celebrated English navigator, but who has the last four years filled the post of British Consul at Stockholm, arrived at Elsinore on the 22nd ult., from that city, on his way don. He came in a small cutter called the Mary, and had with him only one man. The whole weight carried in "the boat did not exceed four lasts. Captain Ross has resigned his post at Stockholm, and though now seventy years of age, is about to take the command of an. expedition of discovery towards the North Pole.'