PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES IN THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND, AND IN WALES, SCOTLAND, BERKSHIRE. AND IRELAND. The Eton Montem this year attracted an irr.mense concourse of people. The fineness of the day added much to the beauty of the scene; and from an early hour of the morning, every road leading to Windsor and Salt Hill was thronged with vehicles of all descriptions. It is supposed that the carriages of the nobility and distinguished fashionables alonę exceeded in number 1000. The Provost gave, as is usual, a public breakfast to several of the nobility and gentry; and at one o'clock the procession set out from the rear of the College, through the playfields, from which they entered the Slough road, and proceeded to Salt Hill, attended by two bands of music. Many of the dresses of the boys were very splendid. The salt-bearers were Sir John Mordaunt and the son of Sir John Chapman. His Majesty was not present; but it is said that he sent Ins donation of 100 gs. by Mr. Canning. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. A meeting was lately held at the Magistrates' chamber, Aylesbury, to promote a subscription for the distressed manufacturers of the northern counties, which was more characterised by the respectability than by the number of those who attended. Colonel Browne, having been called to the chair, briefly stated the object of the meeting, and alluded to an objection that is made by some persons to a subscription for the weavers, that the lace-makers in the neighbourhood are in a state of distress. That this might be the case he admitted; yet judging from the business that came before him in his magisterial capacity, he could not think that their distress was very urgent, at least in this neighbourhood; for among the numerous complaints of poor persons that came before him, not one had ascribed her distress to the badness of the lace-trade. A liberal subscription had been already made for the relief of the weavers, but looking to their numbers, and the time they had been unemployed, it would be found that it was inadequate for the purpose, for it did not amount to 11. each. He concluded by proposing the formation of a Committee to receive subscriptions in aid of the fund raising in London for the relief of the distressed manufacturers in the north, which was agreed to the sufferers in the lace-trade also to be considered. CAMBRIDGE. May 31.-The Chancellor's medal for the best English Poem (the subject "Venice") is adjudged to Mr. Joseph S. Brock urst, of St. John's college. The subscriptions in this University in aid of the distressed manufacturers amount to upwards of 1000 guineas; and those of the inhabitants of the town, to nearly 4001. When the examination in Hebrew and Chaldee for the university scholarships, founded by the late Rev. R. Tyrwhitt, M.A. closed, the following gentlemen were elected: Nicholas William Gibson, B.A. of Trinity college, first scholar, and Thomas Riddell, B.A. of Trinity college, second. CHESHIRE. The public papers have teemed with the melancholy accounts of the distresses in Macclesfield, Perhaps one of the simplest proofs of the reality of it may be gathered from the following facts: Twelve months ago, there were thrown there weekly, from 200 to 220 bales of silk; now, the weekly average may be from ten to twelve bales. CORNWALL. A most excellent lode of Antimony Ore has been lately discovered on the lands of Lord de Dun. stanville, in the parish of Endellion. This scarce mineral has hitherto been found in this county principally on the land of Earl Fortescue, contigu ous to the above discovery, which promises to be equally productive with that once excellent mine Huel Boy. DEVONSHIRE. A curious discovery has been madein the charch of St. Stephen, now under repair, in Exeter. In digging at the East end, for the foundation of new pillar, the labourers came upon some solid work, and on clearing away the rubbish, part of a crypt or subterraneous chapel appeared to view. Two circular colunins of free-stone, and of the latest Saxon period, about five feet and a halt in height, and distant about three fect and a half from each other, were found in excellent preserva tion. The capitals differed considerably: one was enriched with scroll work: the other, which was nearly four inches higher, was comparatively plainer; but had a cornice ornamented with a species of dentiles or rather billets. At the time of the conquest, as Domesday proves, there was a church of St. Stephen in that city. The present fabric was erected on its site, and probably was enlarged soon after the restoration of King Charles the Second. No documents exist, in the parish chest, to throw any light on the ancient fabric; but it is known that the Churchwardens, on the 11th Aug. 1657, were ordered to bring forthwith to the then Mayor of Exeter, a true inventory of all the bells, goods, utensils, and implements, belonging to the church, and to give up possession of the whole to the said Mayor. Shortly after, the church was sold to a Mr. Toby Allen, with a cellar, which probably may be the crypt now discovered. DORSETSHIRE. A meeting of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood of Yeovil, took place at the Mermaid Inn, when a subscription was entered into for the relief of the Distressed Manufacturers 10 the North of England, and upwards of fifty pounds immediately subscribed; a committee of gentlemen was also nominated to call on such as were unavoidably absent, and books were opened at both the Yeovil banks to receive further subscriptions. DURHAM. One of the most dreadful explosions of fire-damp occurred lately at the Stella Colliery. On the day previous to the explosion, the colliery had not been at work, and in the meantime an immense body of inflammable gas must have accumulated; for as soon as the men descended to their work, on some of the lights being kindled, the inflammable air immediately ignited. The sound of the explo sion was heard to a great distance. Corves, full of coals, were propelled with great velocity from the bottom of the pit to a considerable height in the air; and all the brattices in the colliery were sent forth in the same destructive manner, Several horses were thrown to the top of the shaft, and 1826. Durham-Essex-Hampshire-Kent, &c. some men in the act of descending at the time the explosion took place, were, by the force of the con. cussion, cast from a considerable depth up to the surface, and sustained much injury, though none of their lives are despaired of; but so great was the calamity, only five men belonging to the colliery escaped unhurt. The machinery within the range of the explosion was blown to atoms. On the birth-day anniversary of Kyrle, the man of Ross, (who was born on the 22d of May, 1637,) a zealous admirer of his virtues engaged the ringers of Ross church on the occasion; such a mode of commemoration appearing the more appropriate, from the circumstance of the great bell there being the gift of that illustrious person, and bearing bis bame. The morn was ushered in with the enlivening sounds, which were renewed at noon, and the evening closed with a fine muffled peel, thus coupling with the blessing of the good man's birth his honourable retirement to the tomb. 307 years, at any college of Oxford or Cambridge, are founded. All boys educated at the school are eligible to these, as well as to the former Fellowship and Scholarships; but a priority is given to boys whose parents or guardians reside within ten miles of the school. No boy can be elected until he has been five years at the school. This part of the scheme has been in operation for the last year. It is presumed that when the repairs and enlargement of the school buildings are completed, several more exhibitions of similar value will be added. Books of the value of twenty guineas are given at the annual visitation to the three senior scholars of the school. LANCASHIRE. The improvement in commercial affairs at Manchester still continues, though slowly; in many sorts of goods and yarns there has been such an extension of the demand that it treads very closely on the heels of the supply. In calicoes, &c. for instance, the stocks in first hands have been regularlydiminished for some weeks, and several spinning mills in the neighbourhood of Manchester, which were working short time, have extended their hours of labour. Nevertheless, the rates which the foreign buyers are willing to pay for yarns are still below saving prices. This, however, now that the demand has revived, cannot long continue to be the case. LINCOLNSHIRE. On the anniversary of the Restoration of Charles the Second, as the workmen were taking down an old building at Allington, near Grantham, a linen bag was discovered among the rubbish, which on examination was found to contain a large quantity of antient silver coins, chiefly crowns and halfcrowns of the above monarch, of various dates from 1666 to 1671, in high and beautiful preservation; with a great many others of the reign of Charles I. partly coined at Oxford, also in excellent preservation. NORFOLK. About half-past nine o'clock, one evening lately, many of the inhabitants of Cromer were surprised at seeing several lights on the top of the church steeple, and many others on the chimnies of some of the houses situate on the cliff. On attentively viewing them, it was discovered that they were the kind of lights sometimes seen at sea, on ships' masts and yards, called "Corpus Sant." They were seen during a strong gale at N. W. accompanied with a considerable fall of snow, and one of them was remarked passing through the air towards the steeple. It has been observed by some experienced seamen that they are never seen but during a storm, and if high up on the masts or yards foretell fair weather, but if on the deck or in the scuppers, portend a furious gale. The cause of these luminous appearances does not seem to have been clearly ascertained. NORTHUMBERLAND. At the monthly meeting of the Literary, Scientific, and Mechanical Institution of this town, held on the 7th ult. Mr. E. M'Kenzie read his second paper on the utility of machinery. A newinvented "Catenary Frame Bridge," by Мг. Т. Н. Bell, of Alnwick, was presented for the inspection of the members. The important Chancery suit respecting the estates left for the support of Tunbridge school, as far as the lands in St. Pancras and Gracechurchstreet are concerned (exceeding 30001. per annum) is terminated. Proceedings for the recovery of further property are still going on. Under the scheme, approved by the Court of Chancery, and now in operation, the annual visitation of the school took place the 20th of June; at which time the Oxford, May 27.-The Prizes for the year 1826 Governors caused copies of the scheme to be cir- have been awarded to the following gentlemen :culated. In addition to the advantages at college, Chancellor's Prizes. Latin Verse, "Montes Pywhich the school formerly possessed, and which renæi," Francis H. Leighton, Demy of Magdalen. were humerous and considerable, sixteen new exhi--English Essay. "Isa rude or a refined age more bitions of 100l. per annum, each, tenable for four favourable to the production of works of fiction? OXFORDSHIRE. 308 Rutlandshire-Somersetshire-Suffolk-Sussex, &c. July 1, George Moberly, B. A. of Balliol.-Sir R. Newdigate's Prize. English Verse-" Trajan's Pillar, William Walter Tireman, Commoner of Wadham. -Dr. Ellerton's Theological Prize. English Essay -"The operation of human causes only will not sufficiently account for the propagation of Christianity," Rev. Thomas W. Carr, B. A. of Brasenose. June 9.-Theological Prize, instituted June 2, 1825.-What was the object of the Reformers in maintaining the following Proposition, and by what arguments did they establish it? "Holy Scripture is the only sure foundation of any Article of Faith." The above subject, for an English Essay, appointed by the judges, is proposed to Members of University on the following condition;-viz. 1. The Candidate must have passed his Examination for the degree of B.A. or B.C L.. 2. He must not on this day (June 5) have exceeded his Twenty-eighth Term. 3. He must have commenced his Sixteenth Term eight weeks previous to the day appointed for sending in his Essay to the Registrar of the University. In every case the terms are to be computed from the Matriculation inclusively. The following subjects are proposed for the Chancellor's Prizes for the ensuing year, viz. For Latin verses, Mexicum; for an English essay, "The influence of the Crusades upon the Arts and Literature of Europe;" for a Latin essay, " Lex apud Romanos agraria." The first of the above subjects is intended for those gentlemen of the University who have not exceeded four years from the time of their matriculation; and the other two for such as have exceeded four, but not com. pleted seven years. Sir Roger Newdigate's Prize: -For the best composition in English verse, not limited to fifty lines, by an Under-Graduate who has not exceeded four years from the time of his matriculation, "Pompeii."-In every case time is computed by calendar, not academical years. RUTLANDSHIRE. To commemorate the kindness of the late Duchess of Rutland to the poor near Belvoir Castle, the following inscription has been placed on a plain marble-slab in a village church near by, the poor inhabitants of which had largely partaken of her Grace's bounty; and by handing down her name to posterity as the friend and benefactress of the village poor, it confers more lasting honour upon it than the most sumptuous monument can be stow: This Tablet was erected was suddenly taken from this World to a better, "When the ear heard her, then it blessed her; "When the eye saw her, it gave witness to her: "Because she delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. "The blessing of him that was ready to perish, came upon her, and she caused the widow's heart to sing for joy." SOMERSETSHIRE. There is not the slightest foundation for the rumour that the very interesting ruins of Glastonbury Abbey have been exposed to the spoliation of a "rapacious avarice." On the contrary, the most anxious efforts, and a very liberal expense, have been bestowed in preserving their present impres sive aspect. The property is, happily for all admirers of antiquity and venerable ruins, in the hands of a gentleman who appreciates at its proper value the possession of the finest relies of architec tural grandeur in the kingdom. At the meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Association of Bath, on Monday, May 15th, held M. M. Lhuillier read "a Philological Essay on the Ancient Lauguages, and the utility of Classical Learning." SUFFOLK. The Poor Rates in the county of Suffolk for the last ten years, have exceeded the previous ten years five hundred per cent.; and the County Rates for the like period, have encreased upwards of eight hundred per cent! The members of the Ipswich Mechanics' Institution lately held their quarterly meeting at their new room, when it appeared, by the treasurer's ac counts, that the Institution consists at this time of 127 members, 43 new ones having been admitted during the last quarter. The balance in the hands of the treasurer is 531. 8s. 6d. At the same meeting twelve persons were clected trustees of the Institution. The following resolutions were also passed: 1. That it is the opinion of this meeting, that it will be highly desirable to distribute prizes to those individuals who shall contribute to the Institution instruments, machines, models, &c. of their own manufacture. And that a subscription be imme. diately set on foot to form a fund for this purpose. 2. That the amount of subscriptions for the above purpose be reported at each quarterly meeting. 3. That the committee be requested to draw up regulations for the distribution of the prizes; and that they be deputed to adjudge the prizes, subjert to the decision of the succeeding quarterly meeting. SUSSEX. A fine specimen of the Cactus Grandiflorus. or Night-blowing Cerus, flowered in the new forcing house of the Oriental Gardens, Brighton. Free access was given to the public, and company continued to arrive from nine o'clock till midnight, when the blossom was in its perfection. The flower continued in full beauty till about six o'clock in the morning. At seven, the petals closed upon the stamina to expand no more. It was, perhaps, never seen to greater advantage in this or any other country, since it was as much surrounded by its relative plants as it could have been in Jamaica or Vera Cruz. WARWICKSHIRE. Coventry fair was opened this year with the singular procession of Lady Godiva on horseback, which forms the most curious and indecent pageant ever witnessed in this kingdom. The advanced ranks, composed as usual of the City Guards, accoutred in their ancient black armour, with the band of the Lancers, immediately preceded the the pages of Lady Godiva, personated by one of the frail beauties of the town, in a flesh-coloured silk dress fitting tight to her skin; then came the different trades of the city, decorated in the most splendid manner, each preceded by their respective bands of music, and accompanied by their children fancifully arrayed. This procession passed as usual through most of the streets of Coventry, which, un like the original procession, were crowded to excess, and Peeping Toms were there in thousands. This is only another proof of the tenacity with which John Bull still clings to ancient usages and prejudices, however vile and reprobate they may be in themselves. 1826. Wiltshire-Yorkshire - Wales-Scotland-Ireland. YORKSHIRE. Leeds Philosophical Society. The last meeting of this Society, during the Sixth Session, took place last month, to elect officers for the ensuing year, and receive the Report of the Committee. The Rev. R. W. Hamilton in the chair. The Report was read by Dr. Williamson. It stated that the condition of the Society was now exceedingly satisfactory. Since the commencement of the Session, an increase of eiglit Ordinary and three Proprietory Members had taken place. The Society's funds were in a more favourable state than on former occasions, there being a small surplus in the hands of the treasurer, after discharging the expenses of the Society. There was the sum of 1500l. in the hands of the Building Committee, subscribed for the purpose of making the proposed alterations in the Hall and the Museum of the Institution, which alterations it was estimated would not cost more than 900l. It had been resolved to engage a scientific person, as sub-curator, and the council had chosen an individual well qualified to discharge the duties of that situation. The first stone of the Leeds Commercial Build. ings was laid, last month, by Lepton Dobson, Esq. in the presence of a vast number of spectators. The shareholders, amounting to about 160 in number, with the mayor and Corporation at their head, assembled in the Court-house, and went in procession to the spot for the purpose. WILTSHIRE. A public meeting of the inhabitants of Calne was lately held at the Town Hall, for the purpose of considering whether the inhabitants at large were entitied to participate in the general election. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to: 1st. An occasion having arisen, which seems to call upon the inhabitants of Calue to consider their right to participate in the elective franchise, it is resolved, that it is the opinion of this meeting, upon consideration of the ancient history and usages of this borough-that the real and ancient right of election is in the inhabitants or ancient burgesses of the borough, and is not in any select body of the inhabitants. 2d. That means be taken to investigate these rights, and if the right of the inhabitants should appear to be well founded, that such lawful means of enforcing them, as should be considered expedient, should be resorted to. WALES. The inhabitants of the parish of Montgomery lately presented their rector, the Rev. M. E. Lloyd, with a handsome and massive piece of plate, (on which is engraved a suitable inscription), and accompanied it with an address expressive of their regard for him, and of their high approval of his conduct during the time he had been their pastor, a period of more than thirty years. The worthy Divine returned them his thanks, in language which none can properly appreciate but those to whom it was addressed, and to whom his private virtues are well known; it is pleasant and gratifying thus to record tokens of good feelings between clergymen and their parishioners. SCOTLAND. A commission is about to be appointed under the sign manual, for the purpose of holding a Royal Visitation of the different Universities of Scotland -a measure which has been long wished for by the members of the different colleges. With exception of the University of Edinburgh, which has received large grants from the public purse, none of these seminaries, eminent as they are acknowledged to 309 be, in all that relates to the character, learning, and talents of their professors, possess either funds or accommodation adequate to the wants of an increased and improving population. It will, therefore, we understand, be no less the object of the proposed Commission, to inquire into their situation in these respects, than to investigate the plan of study pursued at each respective college. The State of Education in the Highlands.Throughout the whole extent of the counties of Argyle, Inverness, Nairn, Ross, Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, Orkney, and Zetland, and the Gaelic districts of Moray and Perth, comprehending 171 parishes, and a population, by the census of 1821, of above 416,000 persons, it was proposed to ascertain by actual inquiry in every family-1st. The number of persons above eight years, unable to read, separating those above twenty years from those under that age. 2d. The distance of each family from the nearest school. 3d. The proportion of families possessing copies of the Scriptures. 4th. The relative prevalence of the English and Gaelic languages. The following are the results of this interesting inquiry:-1st. As to Education. -Half of all the population are unable to read; or in detail, taking all ages above eight years, those who cannot read are nearly in the following proportions:-In the Hebrides, and other western parts of Inverness and Ross, 70 in the 100 cannot read. In the remaining parts of Inverness and Ross, in Nairn, the Highlands of Moray, Cromarty, Sutherland, and the inland parts of Caithness, 40 in the 100. In Argyle and the Highlands of Perth, 30 in the 100. In Orkney and Zetland, 12 in the 100. Above one-third of the whole population are more than two miles, and many thousands more than five miles, distant from the nearest schools.2d. Diffusion of the Scriptures. In the western parts of Inverness and Ross, all the Scriptures found existing are in the proportion of one copy of the Bible for every eight persons above the age of eight years; and in the other parts of the Highlands and islands, including Orkney and Zetland, where reading is very general, only one copy for every three persons. One-fourth part of all the families in these districts, or 100,000 persons, are still wholly without Bibles; and there are in this number several thousand families in which there are persons who can read the Scriptures. 3d. Language. Gaelic is the language of 300,000 of the people, that is of three-fourths of all the population of the districts included in this enquiry. It is almost exclusively the Hebrides and of the western and inland parts of Argyle, Inverness, Ross, and Sutherland. It is also the more prevailing language throughout the other parts of these counties. In Orkney, Zetland, and the coast of Caithness, English is spoken exclusively. IRELAND. The Lords of the Treasury have finally resolved that the following regulations shall, as speedily as possible, be put into active operation: viz. that two English mails shall be dispatched daily from Dublin, one at the same hour as at present, and the other at six o'clock in the evening. It is calculated that the mail which is to be dispatched in the evening, will reach Holyhead by 12 o'clock the same night. A coach will be in readiness to start on the arrival of the packet, and will reach London as soon as the coach which started several hours previously to it. Thus a letter put into the Postoffice in Dublin at six o'clock on Saturday evening will be delivered in London on Monday morning. By this means twenty-four hours will be gained, as under the present system the letter would not reach London until Tuesday morning. Their Lordships have also resolved that two packets shall be dispatched daily from Holyhead-one with the Shrews. bury mail, the other with that by Chester. It is calculated that, under the new regulation, the Shrewsbury mail will reach Holyhead between one and two o'clock in the morning. The moment it arrives the packet will sail; and, if seven hours be allowed for the average passage, will reach Dublin so as to allow of the British correspondence being delivered with the Irish-namely, at ten o'clock in the morning. The Packet with the Chester mail will sail from Holyhead at the same hour as at present, and the letters brought by that conveyance will be delivered as under the existing system. General Holt lately died at Kingtown. Previous to the disastrous rebellion of 1798, he filled the situation of Barony Constable, in the county of Wicklow, and was of the established religion. In some of the sanguinary and wanton excesses which distinguished the conduct of the military parties stationed in the disturbed districts at that melancholy period, the residence of Holt was burned to the ground, and all his property destroyed. Stimulated by a desire of vengeance, he took up arms, placed himself at the head of a numerous band of the dis affected, and acquainted with all the fastnesses in his native mountains, erected his standard on their summits. His first attacks on the authorities were of such a nature, that long after the extinction of rebellion, and when the country was slowly retureing to a state of calm, he continued to be the terror as well as the object of pursuit to the local authe rities. Disappointed in frequent attempts to make him prisoner, and feeling the force of his summary vengeance, (for in the light of retribution alone, his excesses have by numbers been considered,) the Government gladly acceded to his offers of surrender, on condition of his expatriating himself for His conduct while in New South Wales, whither he was exiled, was so exemplary, that he obtained a full pardon, and returned to his native country, where he continued to reside to the period of his death. He was in the constant habit of dwelling on the variegated adventures of his early military career, and detailing with much perspi cuity and clearness, the manœuvres of his mountain campaigns. ever. The present period of the year is at all times a season of solicitude and anxiety to the husbandnan -it is the season of hay-harvest-the season for turnip sowing, and making preparation for a winter stock of cattle food, and moreover, it is the period which in a great measure determines the productiveness of the approaching corn harvest. It rarely happens that we are able to look around with greater satisfaction than at the present moment: the prospect is everywhere inviting, and affords the most ample testimony of general productiveness. The wheat has eared early, and with unusual rapidity; it is for the most part well set, and remark. ably even at top; in short, it promises to be every thing that is desirable; nor is this an exception to the corn crops in general, for the same remark equally applies to every other variety of grain, whether barley, oats, peas, beans, &c. If there is an exception to be taken to the general productiveness of the country at the present moment, it is in the crop of hay, which although better than could have been expected in the early part of May, is still a very indifferent swathe. The first cut nonsuch, and rye-grass upland hays, are carted in fine condition; and there is no reason to apprehend that the meadow-grasses and clovers will not, ere long, be in a similar state of security. The value of mangel wurzel, as spring-food for cattle, is annually more and more evident; and the cultivation of the root is now become almost as general as that of the turnip,-over which it pos. sesses this peculiar advantage, that no insect feeds upon its tender leaves, and consequently is not exposed to the casualties and failure to which the turnip is subjected, owing to the depredations of the fly. |