PROVINCIAL OCCURRENCES IN THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND, AND IN WALES, SCOTLAND, BERKSHIRE, AND IRELAND. A meeting of the inhabitants of Abingdon was lately convened by the Mayor, in compliance with a requisition "to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament for a repeal of the assessed taxes." The meeting was highly respect able. After a short discussion as to the policy of petitioning for the abolition of the whole of the assessed taxes, or the house and windows only, the petition was unanimously adopted. The general annual meeting of the subscribers to the national schools of Windsor and the neighbourhood, was held at the Town-Hall, on Wednesday, the 25th of January. The report presented a favourable statement of the progress and utility of this excellent institution. CHESHIRE. The geologist and the curious will be sorry to find that the singular mass of heterogeneous matter called Burnt Rock, has been almost wholly destroyed and M'Adamised, or rather, M'Vandalised, for a covering on the new road now making on the Moslyn shore of the river Dee, from Irelacre towards Greenfield. CORNWALL. Numerous and respectable meetings of the inhabitants of Camelford, and of Breage and Germoe, have been held for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for ameliorating the condition of the slaves in our colonies, with a view to the final abolition of slavery in them; and a meeting has been held on the same subject at Truro. CUMBERLAND. By a late meeting of the subscribers to the Car. lisle Dispensary, at Carlisle, it appears that the number of patients admitted to the benefits of the institution from February 1825 to February 1826, amounts to no less than 2720. Of these, 2104 were cured; 80 are dead; 38 received relief; 4 were irregular; 338 were vaccinated; and 156 remain on the books. The Committee, in their report, very justly congratulate the Subscribers that "their subscriptions to the institution have assisted in restoring health to so great a number of poor persons, who, without the aid of this charity, would have been in a most lamentable situation." Of the 2720, one thousand and four were home patients, and confined by their complaints to their houses, and they were of course visited by the medical officers as often as the nature of their respective cases required. DEVONSHIRE. An unusual assemblage of the inhabitants of Plymouth took place last month at the Guildhall, for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the gradual abolition of Slavery, and for the amelioration of the present condition of the Slaves. The Mayor being absent on urgent business, H. Woolcombe, Esq. was unanimously called to the chair, and expressed the regret of the Chief Magistrate at being deprived of taking part in the proceedings. The Rev. Mr. Hatchard, viewing the question as a religious, and not a political one, did not consider he was departing from a declared resolution, upon entering on his pastoral duties in the town, not to interfere in questious of the latter description. The Rev. Gentleman went into an eloquent and dispassionate review of the subject, showing how decidedly op. posed the system of slavery, was to the will of God and the true principles of the Christian religion, and denounced it as a foul stain in our moral creed, which he hoped soon to see wiped out. Resolutions in favour of the measure were then passed. Mr. W. S. Harris, surgeon, of Plymouth, has commenced a course of lectures to the members of the Mechanics' Institute in that town last month, which he pursued in a style of persuasive simplicity and easy comprehensiveness. His electric apparatus and galvanic battery were replete with excellence of construction, and display excessive powers. It is said to be in contemplation to establish a Bank at Plymouth, upon the principles recommended by Parliament. DURHAM. A meeting took place lately in the Town-hall in Durham, to petition Parliament to accelerate the emancipation of the Slaves in the British colonies. The principal speakers in favour of the measure were William Hoare, esq., John Ralph Fenwick, esq., Edward Shipperdson, esq., and John Ward, esq. who all, and particularly the latter gentleman, observed at some length on the sufferings of the Slaves, and the necessity of every Christian and Englishman uniting to raise their voices against a system of cruelty which neither our law nor the scripture sanctioned, but which was degrading to our nature, and ought to be exterminated. ESSEX. Mr. T. Keymer lately delivered a Lecture before the Colchester Philosophical Society, "On the progress of literature in England." The essay comprehended a review of the progress of literature, from the period of the Norman conquest to the end of the reign of Richard II.; comprising an outline of the literary history of our country during three centuries and a half. It will be immediately seen that the investigation of the learning of these times, 50 remarkable for ignorance and barbarism-the age of monkery and legends-would include a great variety of curious and interesting matter. In the gropings of the human mind through the darkness of the middle ages, here and there, at distant and irregular intervals, something like a mental twilight was visible in the literary efforts of the few, though the popular ignorance remained. Many rare and well-selected specimens of our earliest vernacular poetry were introduced. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. In addition to the application for a quo warranto against the Mayor and Sheriffs, another Rule is about to be applied for, to show cause why a Mandamus should not issue against the Corporation of Bristol, commanding them to pay over all monies received by them within six years past, under the denomination of Town and Mayor's dues, to the Commissioners for paving the city. Upon searching recently amongst the Records of the Tower of London, a Third Charter has been discovered, bearing date the same day, month, and year, as one of the two which were known to be in existence; and by which these dues are granted in fee or perpetuity to the Corporation. And of what do the dues consist? Of sixpence only for every vessel entering the port, instead of forty shillings, so long and so ruinously levied upon the shipping as Mayor's dues; and an ad valorem duty upon goods, imported only, proportionably low, levied as Town dues. The purposes to which these rates are to be applied are specifically pointed out, and will it be believed, that they are for the paving of the 1826. Hertfordshire - Kent-Lancashire-Lincolnshire, &c. City, for the repairs of the City walls, and of the quays!!-purposes and objects which have all long since ceased, or for which other and most ample rates ate provided by the Legislature. HERTFORDSHIRE. The following judicious plan has been adopted by the clergyman and principal inhabitants of Little Horwood:- It had been observed that some of the poor were in great want of clothing; but, as it was well known that, in preceding years, the parish had been imposed upon, and induced, through the deceit of the paupers, to purchase clothing for those who were least worthy of assistance, it was resolved, that a subscription should be raised in the parish to aid those who were most deserving. A handsome subscription was made, and a committee chosen to ascertain what articles of clothing were most wanted. The money was then expended to the best advantage in purchasing by wholesale what the poor had fixed upon. The committee determined how much of the subscription should be allowed to each family, caretully noticing the character, as well as the number and state of its members. Those who had more clothing than their portion of the subscription would purchase, were allowed to contribute so much a-week, as they could spare, till the whole amount of what they had chosen was paid for at the wholesale price. KENT. A plentiful supply of excellently pure water to the Tunbridge Wells, will now be placed beyond a doubt, which, from the numerous new edifices and rapid increase of population, had become desirable if not absolutely necessary; Mr. Taylor, late proprietor of the present Water Works, having disposed of the major part of the same in 50%. shares, to a company, who held their first meeting there lately. 1. Hargraves, Esq. on being called to the chair, concisely stated the object of the meeting, and the necessity of a full supply of good water; when Mr. Taylor's proposition of attaching a power. ful spring which he has lately discovered on the estate of the Earl of Abergavenny, (who generously offered to grant a lease of the same for the benefit of the public, at a nominad rent to the old works) was acceded to, and that gentleman was appointed engineer to the company, and a committee of directors formed for the management of the conceru, consisting of the following seven gentlemen:Messis. Hargraves, Delves, sen. R. Delves, T. Tay. lor, Nash, - Sawyer, and M. Stapley. Kentish Railway. A very numerous meeting of land-owners, in the county of Kent. was held lately; the Earl of Darnley in the Chair. The Earl opened the business of the meeting by saying, that they were convened for the purpose of taking such steps as should prevent the passing of a Bill now about to be brought into Parliament. Of all the projects proposed at the late period, there was none more contemptible than this, as it did not hold out even a shadow of public utility. The only argument advanced by the proposers of it was, that it would facilitate the intercourse between London and Rochester, but every one who knew any thing of the country must be perfectly aware that there was very little trade carried on at Rochester, with the exception of large importations of French eggs. However unwilling he should be to oppose any great public work, yet, so firmly convinced was he of the utter absurdity of making a rail-road in any part of the county of Kent, that he would pledge himself to oppose it both in and out of Parliament. A Committee of seven Gentlemen was appointed to take such steps as circumstances should require, Thanks were voted to the Earl of Darnley, Sir E. Knatchbull, &c. and the meeting broke up. LANCASHIRE. 167 The Annual Meeting of the members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, was held last month at the Exchange Committee Room; James Wood, Esq. in the chair. A Report from the Board of Directors, detailing their proceedings, and the chief subjects to which their attention had been directed during the year, was read. Amongst the most important of these were a record of their entire coincidence in the new commercial system of his Majesty's Ministers, a series of resolutions respecting the Bill for regulating the hours of labour in cotton factories, and an Enquiry into the policy of permitting the exportation of inachinery, and a resolution, embodying the de ided opinion of the Chamber as to the imperious necessity of an early reform in the Corn Laws, was unanimously adopted. The estimated expense of the projected rail-road between Liverpool and Manchester amounts to 502,6421.; the length of the rail-road is thirty miles, and the expense therefore about 17,000l. per mile. LEICESTERSHIRE. A numerous and most respectable meeting was held lately at the County Hall, Leicester, at which it was resolved to petition Parliament to emancipate the slaves in the West-India Colonies, and to remove the bounties and protecting duties in favour of the produce of slave labour in the British Colonies. LINCOLNSHIRE. A great improvement in the drainage of fens, has within these few years been introduced into the neighbourhood of Spalding, Lincolnshire. It is the substitution of steam power for the very uncertain power of wind, to raise the water from the low lands, and deliver it into the drains and rivers. The district alluded to contains 22,096 acres of land, which, in heavy rains, was in a great degree inundated; it was drained by means of forty-eight windmalis. It often happened that, when there most rain, there was least wind, and the wind machinery was useless at the time when it was most wanted. NORFOLK. was The Freedom of Lyon was unanimously voted to Captain Parry, R.N. by the Corporation, on the 22d of December, "in testimony of their high sense of his meritorious and enterprising conduct in his several Voyages of Discovery." Captain Parry arrived in Lynn lately, upon a visit to one ot his friends, and an opportunity was thus afforded of Lis personally accepting the Freedom. A meeting of the Corporation being held, two Members waited upon him to request his attendance at the Guildhall, and to escort him thither. After the Resolution of the Corporation had been read to him, the Maybr, (J. P. Biencowe, Esq.) addressed him in a neat specchi, and presented him with the proferred Freedom, for which Captain P. returned thanks in an appropriate address. NORTHUMBERLAND. It would be very difficult to estimate the number of freeholders in this county at present with any degree of accuracy, but the following are the numbers who voted at two very hardly contested elections in 1748 and 1774:-Total in 1748, 1955; ditto, in 1774, 2114. In each of these years the number of freeholders in Tindale Ward was upwards of one third of the whole number in the county, the principal increase is in Castle Ward, which includes both North Shields, and the suburbs of Newcastle. The number in the county may at present, it is probable, be a little below 3000. Bills of Mortality for Newcastle and Gateshead for 1825. St. Nicholas. Baptisms, Males 91 168 Rutlandshire-Shropshire - Somerset-Suffolk, &c. Females 81-172; decrease 16. Marriages, 45; increase 13. Burials, Males 46, Females 36-82; increase 10.-All Saints. Baptisms, Males 356, Females 323-679; decrease 38. Marriages, 216; decrease 8. Burials, Males 50, Females 61-111; decrease 38.-St. Andrew. Baptisms, Males 136, Females 116-252; decrease 1. Marriages, 83; increase 9. Burials, Males 95, Females 94-189; decrease 46.-St. John. Baptisms, Males 149, Females 117-266; decrease 5. Marriages, 257; increase 27. Burials, Males 89, Females 79-168; decrease 25. -Ballast Hills. Burials, Males 318, Females 324642; decrease 163-St. Mary's Gateshead. Baptisms, Males 205, Females 203-408; decrease 82. Marriages, 121; increase 7. Burials, Males 143, Females 137-280; decrease 54.-Total. Baptisms, 1777; decrease 142. Marriages, 722; increase 48. Burials, 1472; decrease 316. Parochial Chapelry of St. Hild's, South Shields, 1825. Baptisms, 528; decrease 10. Marriages, 123; increase 9. Burials 411; increase 36. RUTLANDSHIRE. The whole of the old shambles at Uppingham, with the shops in front, are to be removed, which will have the effect of enlarging the market place, and affording a more commodious entrance into the centre of the town. The market, generally well attended, will, in the event of the alterations proposed, have ample room in the large clear space which will be kept af er the removal of these cumbrous buildings. The road to the town on the south side is likely to be improved by lowering one of the steepest hills which impede the entrance into the place. SHROPSHIRE. A meeting of the Commissioners of the Holyhead, Shrewsbury and London Road, was held lately at Shrewsbury, when among other business, the sum of sixty pounds, the surplus of the subscriptions for the improvement of Wyle Cop, was voted for the improvement of Frankwell. Sir H. Parnell and Mr. Telford, in the name of the Holyhead Commissioners, agreed to encourage the spirit of the inhabitants of Shrewsbury, by giving and paying the expense of filling carts with the soil which will be cut away in widening the road near the mount, for the purpose of raising and culverting Frankwell. SOMERSETSHIRE. A new line of rail-road, to connect with the pгоposed line of Canal from Highbridge to Glastonbury, is in contemplation, whereby the nearest direct communication will be made between the Bristol Channel and Poole, for the conveyance of clay to the Staffordshire Potteries, and for the supply of the country in its line, with coals. A superb monument, beautifully executed by Mr. King, is erecting in the Abbey Church, Bath, to the memory of Lieut-Colonel Nooth, of the 21st Royal North British Fusileers. It consists of a figure of Fame, holding in the left hand the medals of Marti April 1, quarter: politics and religion are excluded. In rotation each member takes a subject, and either deli. vers an oration, or produces an essay upon it, when a discussion takes place, and the sense of the meet. ing is taken by a division on the question. The Society holds its anniversary, which enables it distinctly to notice the progress which from year to year the members have made in elocution and knowledge. On these occasions, strangers are admitted by invitation, and the day is always spent with rational delight. Ipswich Mechanics Institution. The Annual Meeting of this valuable Institution took place lately, when there was a very respectable attendance: Mr. Clamp was called to the chair. It ap. pears by a statement then made, that the property of the Institution consists of a pair of Jones's-18inch globes, three cases of mathematical instruments, &c., and 141 volumes of books. The circulation of books began on the 20th of May; and, during the past year, eight lectures have been de. livered by members of the Institution. The amount of subscriptions and donations for the year 18251261. 85. 5d., and the balance in the hands of the Treasurer-281. 25. 10d. The books presented to the Institution amount to the sum of fifty-four pounds and upwards. SURREY. A general meeting of the freeholders of the county of Surrey was last month held at Epsom, to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the immediate mitigation of Slavery throughout the British Colonies, and for its extinction at the earliest, safest, and most practicable period. SUSSEX. Mr. J. Mantell lately delivered to the members of the Lewes Mechanics' Institution a lecture on Chemistry, at the Public Temple. The interest created on this evening was demonstrated by the numbers that attended, not only of the members, but of many ladies and gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, who were anxious to witness the well-known talent of the lecturer. The experiments were pleasing and diversified, and added much to the spirit of the lecture; nor did he, among the number made this evening, fail in a single instance, which circumstance added greatly to the effect produced. Many names were added to the list of members. Mr. Chantrey, the sculptor, is engaged on a fulllength or " pedestrian" statue, of his Majesty, to be erected on the Steyne at Brighton. The statue is to be of bronze; Mr. C. is preparing the figure, for the cast. It is in a state of forwardness. WARWICKSHIRE. The iron trade has been, perhaps, more slightly affected by the recent panic and sudden contraction of the paper currency, than any other branch of trade or manufacture in this country. The only inconvenience suffered, has been felt by those individuals who have extended their works, on the sup nique and Albuera, and leaning against a sarcopha position that the credit granted by banks could be gus, placed on a pedestal, on which are sculptured the family arms, having suspended from it the nedal of the Order of the Bath. The whole fixed on a dove marble ground, with the thistle and grenade (badges of the regiment), and trophies of war. SUFFOLK. Ipswich Philological Society. For several years, a Society under the above denomination has been instituted in' Ipswich. It has gone on, in quiet usefulness, till it has reached a point of excellence demanding public notice: not for its own sake so much as that its example may be followed in other places. The Members of the Society meet once a fortnight. At every Quarterly Meeting, subjects are proposed for discussion during the ensuing continued indefinitely. The number of persons so circunistanced was small, and the distress accruing in this district, of course, inconsiderable. A reference to prices, in support of such an opinion, is the least objectionable argument in favour of it: in November, a large meeting was held at Wolverhampton, at which it was resolved, that iron should be advanced 10s. per ton. This advance was sus. pended during the panic, and sales to some amount were effected at lower prices, because the ironmasters were, of course, not wholly exempt from the distress so universally prevalent. But at a meeting held at the same place lately, it was proposed to advance 11. per ton: this was negatived, and an amendment carried, that the former advance 1826. Yorkshire-Wales-Scotland. of 10s. should be affirmed. No. 1, melting pigs, are advanced 103. per ton. The demand in Birmingham and the neighbouring districts has suffer. ed no sensible decline, if regard be had, as it surely ought, to the season of the year, and a proper comparison be iustituted between this period of the present and a similar one of past years. A considerable export trade takes place at the present prices, and no large stocks have accumulated; but iron-stone has fallen in price fifteen per cent. and the make of iron will be increased, before Midsummer next, a 12th or 14th part of the whole, by the British Iron Company, and other new works in progress towards completion. WILTS. The Fonthill property has been destined to undergo great changes. The Abbey has become a ruin, and the grounds are divided;-J. Bennett, Esq. M. P. has purchased to the amount of 130,000l. For this sum, he becomes possessed of the American Gardens, and all the fine plantations within what is called the Barrier Wall, which encircles 575 acres, profusely planted with young trees, shrubs, and evergreens, most tastefully disposed, and all the growing wood to the value of 2s. 6d. for 10,000l.; taking also the Abbey in its present state, as building materials, at the value which inay attach to it in that character.-Earl Grosvenor purchases the Hindon houses and property, with an adjoining estate, called Berwick, for 45,000.Mr. H. King has bought part of Fonthill Bishop Domain, for 20.000/-Mr. G, Mortimer has become the purchaser of between 400 and 500 acres of the remainder of the Fonthill Bishop Domain, and part in Tisbury, to the amount of 30,000l. YORKSHIRE. A paper on "the Philosophy of Music," was read before the Leeds Philosophical Society, by William Hey, Esq. Vice-president. At the conclusion of Mr. Marshall's paper, lately read to the Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society, "On the present state of Education in England, considered as a preparation for active life," the worthy president offered the following suggestions on the establishment of an University in Leeds: "The London University," said he, "is intended to furnish instruction in the whole circle of literature, the scicuces, and the arts. It will be divided into two colleges, one of literature, which will include the modern as well as the ancient languages, and the other of science and the useful arts. That there may be no bar to the admission of students, as well churchmen, as dissenters of all religious sects, who are excluded from our present universities, there will be no religious test, nor any theological professors. A handsome building will be erected, comprising spacious lecture-rooms, libraries, reading-rooms, and houses for some of the professors. The students will live with their parents or friends, which is in every respect most eligible in any town that is large enough to supply a sufficient number of pupils. The great expense of a college education is also avoided when young men live under their fathers' roof. A similar plan is practicable in our large towns, as well as in London. There is every reason to believe that such an institution would support itself, and that the fees of the students would be amply sufficient to pay the interest of the capital expended, as well as the salaries of the professors, and all current expenses. The particular plan of the institution should in every case be adapted to local circumstances. In a commercial and manufacturing town there are a great number of parents desirous of giving their April-VOL. XVIII. NO. LXIV. 169 sons the best education within their reach, previous to the age of entering into business. An institution, best adapted to this numerous class, ought to embrace the education of boys from an early age to the time of their entering into mercantile life, which is usually from 16 to 18. Call it a college, or an academy, or what you please, but let it include every branch of literature, science, and art, and let the general course of study terminate at an age when a young man ought to enter into active life, and to take his part in the duties of society. Ifinstruction was properly conducted, and the useless waste of time and labour curtailed, we may reasonably expect that a youth of 16 or 18 should have obtained a really good and useful education, &c. WALES. The second anniversary of the Cardigan Cym. reigyddion Society was lately held. The members of the society walked in procession to the Town Hall, when the president, Major Bowen, took the chair, and opened the business of the meeting by observing, that he hailed with pleasure the second anniversary of the Cardigan Cymreigyddion Society. Some excellent englynion, on the opening of the meeting, were delivered by the following bards: viz.-Cawrdaf, leuan Goch, Dewi Gwenog, Isaac ap Dafydd, and Gad o'r Ferwig. The Pre. sident then called upon the Secretary to pronounce the decision of the Judges (Rev. D. L. Jones and Cawrdaf) upon the compositions which had been received, when it was announced, that, owing to the inferiority of the compositions for the first medal of the society, it should be retained until a future period. It was then mentioned that the Cywydd, which merited the second medal, was signed "Canwriad." Canwriad being called on, Mr. David Evans of Gilfachwen, acknowledged himself the successful competitor. The third medal was adjudged to Mr. David Jenkins (Dewi Gwenog), of Carmarthen, whose composition bore the signature "Canaletto." The successful competitors were invested by the President with their medals, and immediately afterwards recited their compositions; viz.-Canwriad, on "Crucifixion," and Canaletto on "Shipwreck;" both of which were truly excellent. Mr. D. Jones, the Rev. Mr. Davies, Mr. Wm. Arnlot, and the Rev. D. Matthias, severally addressed the meeting, and the business concluded with the national anthem. SCOTLAND. An extremely numerous mecting of the Merchant Company was held in their Hall, Edinburgh, last month, James Spittal, Esq. in the chair.-Mr. Spittal briefly stated the object for which they had been brought together on so short a notice. Great distrust and much calamity had been engendered, in consequence of the failure of a number of banking establishments in England, and his Majesty's Ministers had been induced to apply a remedy to the evil, while they were also taking measures to prevent a recurrence of a similar calamity. In the course of the discussion which had taken place, the banking establishments of Scotland have been referred to with triumph; and it appeared to him to be an anomaly, that while, with one hand, these establishments were held up as perfect models they should be, by the other, cast to the ground, and trodden under foot. His Majesty's Ministers were the most enlightened men that for a long pe. riod had directed the councils of this country; and he was quite convinced, that, if the general voice of Scotland be given, as he was certain it would be, in favour of the existing practice, they will yet pause before they destroy that system which had Z hitherto given universal satisfaction. He trusted the sentiments of the meeting would be unani mous; and that every county, city, burgh, and public body in Scotland, would meet, and express their sentiments freely on this most important subject. He would not take up more of the time of the meeting, as resolutions had been prepared, and would be submitted to the meeting. The resolutions were then read by the clerk, and unanimously adopted. They deprecated alteration in a system which has hitherto worked so well, to the perfect security of the public, and admiration of his Majesty's Government; noticing particularly the check kept up by cach bank over the issue of notes by another, in the mutual exchanges which take place twice a week, when all deficiencies are paid in cash, or by short bills on London. The Society of Scottish Antiquaries met last month, when James Thomson Gibson-Craig, Esq. was chosen an ordinary, and the Rev. Dr. Fleming of Flisk; G. G. Scott, Esq. civil engineer, Mexico; the Rev. William Darley Waddilove, Thrope Lodge, correspondent members. The papers read were-1. Historical Remarks on the Anglo-Saxon Coins so abundantly found in various parts of Scandinavia, communicated by M. Joh. Henr. Schroder, of the University of Upsal, and translated from the original Latin by Dr. Hibbert. 2. A Letter from Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington, to William Newton of that ilk; also official documents bearing the respective signatures of James Earl of Bothwell and Queen Mary, were communicated by W. Waring Hay, Esq. W. S., for which interesting communications he received the thanks of the meeting. Forty years since there was only one iron-toundry in Glasgow, which melted from one to two tons a week. There are now twenty-three foundries in Glasgow and its vicinity, that will melt nearly three hundred tons of metal a week, for making cast-iron goods, exclusive of the castings that are brought into Glasgow from other foundries. In digging lately below the floor of the north wing of the transept in the cathedral of St. Magnus, Kirkwall, Orkney, the workmen came upon two stone coffins or sarcophagus. One of them is hewn out of a block of freestone, with a place for the head, and is upwards of five feet long. It was filled with lime, and is broken through the middle. The other was composed of separate stones, and appears to have had a wooden coffin within, part of which, as well as a number of human bones, were found. These coffins must be of some antiquity, as it has not been the practice to bury in this manner in Scotland for many hundred years. The following is a general list of all the registrations of baptisms, of proclamations of marriages, and of burials, in the city of Glasgow, and the suburb parishes of Barony and Gorbals, from 15th Dec. 1824, to 14th Dec. 1825, both days inclusive:Baptisms engrossed in the public registers: males 1689, females 1420, total 3109. Included in the above there are twelve twin births, viz. in the City seven; in the Barony three; in Gorbals two-Pro. clamation of marriages engrossed in the publie registers: 1982.-Burials engrossed in the registers of the City and Suburbs burying grounds: males 2393, females 2505, total 4898. The winds this winter have prevailed chiefly from the west and south but the seas from these quarters make little impression or tremour upon the Bell Rock lighthouse. During the heaviest of the south-east gales, several large stones, technically termed "Travellers," were thrown from the sea upon the rock; one of them, estimated to weigh above a ton and a half, was tossed over in a manner which would have required the united efforts of several labourers with their pince-levers. In its progress it chipped a piece off the highest part of the rock, called by the light-keepers "The Last. Hope." A curious remark is made by the inmates of the lighthouse regarding the regularity with which the sea fowl kittywake visits this sunken rock, in quest of offals thrown out by the keepers. These birds never rest upon the rock, but hover about it till the crumbs are floated off by the tide; when, according to the habits of the bird, it ducks gently and picks them up. Having no nearer rest. ing place than the Redhead of Angus, or the isles of May and Bass in the Firth of Forth, they must thus perform a daily flight from these places, for the chance of picking up a few crumbs of biscuit and parings of meat. The following is a list of the thirty Banks in Scotland that had licenses to issue Promissory Notes in 1819, as printed in the Lords' ReportNo. of Partners. A costly and beautiful testimonial of the regard and affection entertained for Dr. Doyle, not more by the donors, the master and pupils of Everton school, than by the public at large, has been just manufactured. It is a two handled silver cup or tankard, in height 13 inches, the mouth being the base of a cone, and capable of containing nearly two Irish quarts. On one side of its body it bears the inscription, PATRIE DECUS, FIDEI VINDICEM, REVERENDISSIMUM DOMINUM JACO BUM DOYLE HOC SCYPHO VENERATIONIS ET AMORIS SUI DONAVERUNT SCHOLE EVERTONIENSIS, PRÆSES ET ALUMNI. MONUMENTO On the opposite there are engraved two shields, inclined towards each other at the top; on the left |