LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 246, 8 December 1847, Page 3

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

[From the Australian, Nov. B.] The most prominent and immediate topic of public consideration was another Royal Visit to Scotland, — a land to which her Majesty appears to be especially attached, and to which she was about to depart in a manner the most appropriate to the Sovereign of Britannia, the Ruler of the Waves. The magnificent Squadron of Exercise,' for some time preparing under Sir Charles" Napier, X.C.8., has had orders to escort their Queen. This will be a glorious spectacle, — such a one as Scotland never yet has seen, — one which will impart a character of might and majesty to the glowing waters of the glorious Forth, — and led by a dauntless and distinguished son of the soil, proud will be the emotions of the cannie Scot. The ships of which this Squadron is to be composed, include the St. Vincent, 120 guns, (flag ship) Capt. Milne.Howe, 120 guns, Captain Sir James Stirling. Caledonia, 120 guns, Captain Dixon. Queen, 110 guns, Captain Sir H. Leeke. Vengeance, 84 guns, Captain Lushiugton. Odin, steam frigate, 560 horse-power, Captain the Hon. D. Pelham. Dragon, steam frigate, 560 horse-power, Capt. Hall. Avenger, steam frigate, 650 horse-power, Capt. S. C. Dacres. Fury, steam sloop, 515 horse-power, Commander Coffin. Vixen, steam sloop, 280 horse-power, Commander Ryder. The 10th of July was the day named fdr mustei. Great preparations on board the Royal Yacht to receive her Majesty continued without intermission. The Yacht was expected to leave Portsmouth for Woolwich about the 12th of July, and the 12th of August had been named as the day of embarkation. The election movements seem to partake of the all prevailing apathy, if we except those of West Gloucester, whose constituency has been attempted to be sold to suit some family arrangement of the Berkeley's : whilst that of Greenock has been quietly discussed by Mr. Tufnell and Lord Melguud. For London, a Mr. Bevan had entered the lists with •• No Popery" for his unsympathetic and unheeded watchword. The harvests appeared to be secure — Famine abating — Fever on the decline — and the prospects of the country, physical and financial, gradually and steadily improving. The affairs of Portugal had been settled. Those of Spain continued as great a problem as ever. The poor little Queen seems to have been terrified into a belief that her uncle had formerly been of the Alibaud School of Regicides, in which he classed No. 3, and that in that amateur capacity he had entered into a conspiracy to assassinate his niece, who had consequently given him the route,

The Times. — The Wellington statue is to remain upon the arch. This conclusion of a very foolish controversy, although officially announced only last night, has no doubt been anticipated for some days. The moment it became known that the Duke of Wellington's wishes were to be cousulted on the point of removal, and that on him was to he thrown the responsibility of decision, the question was relieved from all difficulty. His Grace's opinion has never been a secret, and nothing but that love of mystery which is inseparable from office could have made it a secret. The illustrious original is perfectly satisfied with Mr. Wyatts performance. The representation of all the objects is faithful : the brdnze horse is like the real horse ; the cloak is the true cat ; the portrait is excellent ; and the seat of the rider has all the peculiarities long familiar to the London world. The situation, too, in abstract propriety, is the very, best possible. The group, as it stands, is the most conspicuous object in the metropolis, and therefore fitly represents the most distinguished man in the United Kingdom. Facing the windows of Apsley House, it now -greets the honoured master as a present testimony of a nation's respect, and will remain to his posterity as a perpetual monument of a nation's gratitude.

Convicts. — The Queen has granted a free pardon to Charles Butler, the eminent chemist, formerly of Cheapside, Edinburgh, and Dublin, who was convicted on the 29th September last.