Majesty's subjects, pervades Great Britain and her colonies--that signs and pass-words are used by the members of the institution-that all members pay annual contributions with the exception of soldiers and sailors— that the ostensible object of the institution is to support the Protestant religion and Protestant ascendancy-that the Orange lodges have a decidedly political character-that there are several hundred Orange lodgesthat the number of Orangemen in London might be 40,000—that the system of Orangeism pervades a great portion of the army-that New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land appear to be deeply imbued with it -that all efforts to suppress lodges in the army have hitherto been unavailing-that the clergymen of the Church of England have engaged to a considerable extent in the affairs of the Orange institution-that the Bishop of Salisbury is Lord Prelate of the Order-that some clergymen are masters of lodges-that the number of Orangemen in Ireland is two hundred and twenty thousand, chiefly with arms in their possession.

The Select Committee appointed to consider the salary of the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery have reported that by 3 and 4 William IV., the yearly salary of the Clerk of the Crown is fixed at 8007., and by the 6th section it is enacted that such salary shall be taken in full satisfaction of the duties of the office, and of all expenses incident to the performance thereof; that the expenses of the office vary in different years, and according to the business done. In 1830 it amounted to 7347.; in 1831, to 3287.; in 1832, to 2747.; in 1833, 2317., exclusive of the salary of chief clerk, which was formerly paid by fees, and which are now carried to the consolidated fund; that it is expedient that a yearly salary of 5007. should be fixed for the Clerk of the Crown, and that the expenses of the office should be allowed under the supervision of the Treasury, and charged upon the same funds as the present salary; and that the Lords of the Treasury, in concurrence with the Lord Chancellor or Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, should have power to alter the scale of fees now taken by the Clerk of the Crown.

From

Salmon. Mr. Daniells, long employed as a clerk in the Foyle fishery, has collected much valuable information on the habits of this fish. numerous experiments he ascertained that the male salmon was the sole labourer in the arduous operation of forming the spawning trough. Of many taken for trial, the males were found with snouts scratched almost to bleeding, and with bellies and sides nearly denuded of scales by the violent rubbing they had undergone, while the females bore no marks of injury. The sharpened form of the snout in the male salmon, as well as the male of the sea-trout, is consistent with this theory; and the peculiar condition of the female, laden with spawn, affords a satisfactory reason why such should be the law of nature. It excuses, likewise, the apparent apathy with which, in some sheltered pool, she awaits the return of the male, whom she then accompanies to the prepared furrow, that they may together deposit their milt and roe. The great disproportion between the males and females taken in the nets has also been noticed by Mr. Daniells -the males perhaps not exceeding in number one-third of the females; but it is probable that this arises from a partial separation of the sexes in the ascent of the river, the males keeping the central and more rapid part of the stream.

From the 1st of May, 1826, to the 1st of Jan., 1827, the number of capital cases reported to the King in Council was 160; of which the sentence of death was mitigated previous to the order for execution, 140; ordered for execution, 20; sentence mitigated after the order for execution, 5; sentence executed, 12. From the 1st of May, 1827, to the 1st of January, 1828, number of capital cases reported, 168; sentence mitigated previous to order, 153; ordered for execution, 15; sentence mitigated after order,

3; sentence executed, 12. From the 1st of May, 1828, to the 1st of Jan., 1829, number reported, 107; sentence mitigated previous to order, 89; ordered for execution, 18; sentence mitigated after order, 5; sentence executed, 13. From the 1st of May, 1831, to the 1st of January, 1832, number of cases reported, 110; sentence mitigated previous to order, 108; executed, 2. From the 1st of May, 1833, to the 1st of January, 1834, number of cases reported, 69; sentence mitigated previous to order, 69; none executed.

During 1834, 9,766,116 gallons of wine were imported into England, of which French wines, and those from the Cape, make one-half of the whole quantity. Cape pays a duty of 2s. 6d., all other wines 5s. 6d. per gallon. Within the same period, 1,639,121 gallons were exported, and 6,480,544 retained for home consumption. The net amount of duty received thereon was 1,705,638 pounds sterling.

The annual demand of timber for the Royal Navy in England, in war, is 60,000 loads, or 40,000 full grown trees, a ton each, of which 35 will stand on an acre. In peace 32,000 tons, or 48,000 loads. A 74-gun ship consumes 3000 loads, or 2000 tons of trees, the produce of 57 acres in a century; hence the whole navy may consume 102,600 acres, and 1026 per

annum.

Prison Discipline.-Under the Act passed this Session for effecting a greater uniformity of practice in the government of prisons in England and Wales, and for appointing Inspectors of Prisons in Great Britain, five gentlemen have just been nominated to that important office. They are Mr. William Crawford, who had been sent to America to examine the system of prison discipline in the United States; the Rev. Whitworth Russell, chaplain to the Milbank Penitentiary; Captain Williams; Frederick Hill, Esq., and Dr. Bisset Hawkins. It is understood that the

Inspectors will, in the first instance, visit in a body all the prisons in and near the metropolis, and that they will then proceed individually to inspect the different prisons in Great Britain. They are bound to make an annual report, to be laid before Parliament.

The iron trade has undergone a depression far more serious than could be well imagined by those not intimately connected with it. In 1824 the price of pig-iron may be taken at 11. to 127. per ton, and that of the bariron at 157. to 167., while within the last two years the same quality of pigiron has been sold at 47. 5s., and bar-iron even at so low a price as 41. 178. 6d.

The sum of 110,000l. appears this year in the miscellaneous estimates, to defray half the expenses of prosecutions in England and Wales, at assizes and quarter-sessions, and to defray the whole expenses of the conveyance of transports. These have been met hitherto out of the countyrates. So far, therefore, the rate-payers, who are principally agriculturists, I will be relieved.

In the Chapter Library of Gloucester Cathedral there is a copy of Coverdale's Bible, and, it seems, in better condition than most of those in other public libraries. Of seven mentioned by Dr. Cotton, that in the British Museum is the only one that has the title-page. The Bodleian copy is said to be by far the finest. In the dedication to King Henry VIII. some copies have the name of Anne, some that of Jane coupled with the King's. The copy here has Anne, and the title-page is perfect. This Bible was presented, together with several other books, by Thos. Pury, sen., Alderman of Gloucester, to the Library, which had been lately constituted (in 1648) by Thos. Pury, Esq., jun., in the Chapter House of the Cathedral, and which, with other matters belonging to the church, Oliver Cromwell and his Parliament gave to the mayor and burgesses.

Loss of Iron in Coach Travelling.-It has been calculated by an engineer of eminence that every four-horse coach deposits twelve pounds of iron in

every one hundred miles of its journey, and that, consequently, assuming the number of such coaches passing daily between London and Birmingham alone, to be twenty, the weight of iron deposited during every transit exceeds 250lbs. These results, it is stated, are not conjectural, but derived from investigations applied to the horse-shoe and the tire of the wheelsin the first instance, previously to use; and in the second, after the wear and tear of the road had rendered them useless; and they have been found, it is added, as to every ton weight of iron so tried, nearly uniform.

The Corn Trade.-A return has been made by order of the House of Commons, towards the close of the Session, comprising the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour which has been entered for consumption since the passing of the present Act, and the average rate of duties paid thereon; by which we find that, from the 15th of July, 1828, to the 5th of July, 1835, 4,837,912 quarters of foreign wheat have been brought on the British markets, at an average duty of only 68. 8d.; besides 462,282 quarters of wheat, the produce of the colonies, at an average duty of 3s. 8d. ; also, 1,896,102 cwts. of foreign flour, at 1s. 11d. per cwt., and 417,113 cwts. of Canadian and other Colonial qualities, at is. 6d. per cwt. No doubt this statement has been moved for with the view of bringing before Parliament, in the ensuing Session, some measure relative to a revision of the Corn Laws.-Mark Lane Express.

That interesting natural phenomenon, the Mirage, was witnessed lately on Agar, one of the Mendip Hills. It was first observed about five o'clock in the evening, and represented an immense body of troops, mounted and fully accoutred, which appeared to move along sometimes at a walking pace, and at other times at a quick trot, with drawn swords at the "carry." For some time the figures appeared six abreast, after which they gradually diminished to two, or files. The illusion, we are informed, was so complete that the bridles and stirrups were clearly distinguishable, whilst the horses' feet were seen to move in a perfectly natural manner. The whole body appeared in one uniform; of a dark hue, approaching nearly to black. The phenomenon was observed for upwards of an hour, and continued till it became dark, and was witnessed by a great many of the country people, who were puzzled to account for the presence of so large an army as appeared to be moving before them. The cottagers around the foot of the hill, we are informed, were, for a considerable time, in a state of consternation, imagining that the troops could be no other than an hostile force; some of them went to prayer, others proceeded to hide their little treasure, and others again entertained the thought of consulting their safety in flight; and to the present time the visitation forms almost the only topic of discourse. With respect to the cause of these strange appearances philosophers differ; but the most generally received opinion is, that they are owing to the extraordinary refraction which the rays of the sun undergo in passing through masses of air in contact with a surface greatly heated: this may seem to account for their frequency in the deserts of Arabia, where they are by no means uncommon; but the solution seems hardly satisfactory as applied to the present case, and especially when we take into account the difference in the climate of our own country and that referred to.

In the second volume of the Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, recently published by the Record Commissioners, the following curious particulars are given respecting the revenue and expenditure of this country. In 1421, (the 9th of Henry V.,) the whole amount of receipts into the Exchequer was 55,7431. Of this sum the custos of England received 8000 marks. 19,1197. 5s. 10d. were appropriated for the war allowance of Calais and the marches; for the defence of the east march of Scotland, as in time of war, 9500l.; the Lieutenant of Ireland received 2500 marks, and the Governor of the Castle of Fronsak, in Nov.-VOL. XLV. NO. CLXXVIX.

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3; sentence executed, 12. From the 1st of May, 1828, to the 1st of Jan., 1829, number reported, 107; sentence mitigated previous to order, 89; ordered for execution, 18; sentence mitigated after order, 5; sentence executed, 13. From the 1st of May, 1831, to the 1st of January, 1832, number of cases reported, 110; sentence mitigated previous to order, 108; executed, 2. From the 1st of May, 1833, to the 1st of January, 1834, number of cases reported, 69; sentence mitigated previous to order, 69; none executed.

During 1834, 9,766,116 gallons of wine were imported into England, of which French wines, and those from the Cape, make one-half of the whole quantity. Cape pays a duty of 2s. 6d., all other wines 5s. 6d. per gallon. Within the same period, 1,639,121 gallons were exported, and 6,480,544 retained for home consumption. The net amount of duty received thereon was 1,705,638 pounds sterling.

The annual demand of timber for the Royal Navy in England, in war, is 60,000 loads, or 40,000 full grown trees, a ton each, of which 35 will stand on an acre. In peace 32,000 tons, or 48,000 loads. A 74-gun ship consumes 3000 loads, or 2000 tons of trees, the produce of 57 acres in a century; hence the whole navy may consume 102,600 acres, and 1026 per

annum.

Prison Discipline.-Under the Act passed this Session for effecting a greater uniformity of practice in the government of prisons in England and Wales, and for appointing Inspectors of Prisons in Great Britain, five gentlemen have just been nominated to that important office. They are Mr. William Crawford, who had been sent to America to examine the system of prison discipline in the United States; the Rev. Whitworth Russell, chaplain to the Milbank Penitentiary; Captain Williams; Frederick Hill, Esq., and Dr. Bisset Hawkins. It is understood that the Inspectors will, in the first instance, visit in a body all the prisons in and near the metropolis, and that they will then proceed individually to inspect the different prisons in Great Britain. They are bound to make an annual report, to be laid before Parliament.

The iron trade has undergone a depression far more serious than could be well imagined by those not intimately connected with it. In 1824 the price of pig-iron may be taken at 11l. to 127. per ton, and that of the bariron at 157. to 167., while within the last two years the same quality of pigiron has been sold at 47. 5s., and bar-iron even at so low a price as 47. 17s. 6d.

The sum of 110,000l. appears this year in the miscellaneous estimates, to defray half the expenses of prosecutions in England and Wales, at assizes and quarter-sessions, and to defray the whole expenses of the conveyance of transports. These have been met hitherto out of the countyrates. So far, therefore, the rate-payers, who are principally agriculturists, will be relieved.

In the Chapter Library of Gloucester Cathedral there is a copy of Coverdale's Bible, and, it seems, in better condition than most of those in other public libraries. Of seven mentioned by Dr. Cotton, that in the British Museum is the only one that has the title-page. The Bodleian copy is said to be by far the finest. In the dedication to King Henry VIII. some copies have the name of Anne, some that of Jane coupled with the King's. The copy here has Anne, and the title-page is perfect. This Bible was presented, together with several other books, by Thos. Pury, sen., Alderman of Gloucester, to the Library, which had been lately constituted (in 1648) by Thos. Pury, Esq., jun., in the Chapter House of the Cathedral, and which, with other matters belonging to the church, Oliver Cromwell and his Parliament gave to the mayor and burgesses.

Loss of Iron in Coach Travelling.-It has been calculated by an engineer of eminence that every four-horse coach deposits twelve pounds of iron in

1

every one hundred miles of its journey, and that, consequently, assuming the number of such coaches passing daily between London and Birmingham alone, to be twenty, the weight of iron deposited during every transit exceeds 250lbs. These results, it is stated, are not conjectural, but derived from investigations applied to the horse-shoe and the tire of the wheelsin the first instance, previously to use; and in the second, after the wear and tear of the road had rendered them useless; and they have been found, it is added, as to every ton weight of iron so tried, nearly uniform.

The Corn Trade.-A return has been made by order of the House of Commons, towards the close of the Session, comprising the quantity of Foreign Grain and Flour which has been entered for consumption since the passing of the present Act, and the average rate of duties paid thereon; by which we find that, from the 15th of July, 1828, to the 5th of July, 1835, 4,837,912 quarters of foreign wheat have been brought on the British markets, at an average duty of only 6s. 8d.; besides 462,282 quarters of wheat, the produce of the colonies, at an average duty of 3s. 8d. ; also, 1,896,102 cwts. of foreign flour, at 1s. 11d. per cwt., and 417,113 cwts. of Canadian and other Colonial qualities, at Is. 6d. per cwt. No doubt this statement has been moved for with the view of bringing before Parliament, in the ensuing Session, some measure relative to a revision of the Corn Laws.-Mark Lane Express.

That interesting natural phenomenon, the Mirage, was witnessed lately on Agar, one of the Mendip Hills. It was first observed about five o'clock in the evening, and represented an immense body of troops, mounted and fully accoutred, which appeared to move along sometimes at a walking pace, and at other times at a quick trot, with drawn swords at the "carry. For some time the figures appeared six abreast, after which they gradually diminished to two, or files. The illusion, we are informed, was so complete that the bridles and stirrups were clearly distinguishable, whilst the horses' feet were seen to move in a perfectly natural manner. The whole body appeared in one uniform; of a dark hue, approaching nearly to black. The phenomenon was observed for upwards of an hour, and continued till it became dark, and was witnessed by a great many of the country people, who were puzzled to account for the presence of so large an army as appeared to be moving before them. The cottagers around the foot of the hill, we are informed, were, for a considerable time, in a state of consternation, imagining that the troops could be no other than an hostile force; some of them went to prayer, others proceeded to hide their little treasure, and others again entertained the thought of consulting their safety in flight; and to the present time the visitation forms almost the only topic of discourse. With respect to the cause of these strange appearances philosophers differ; but the most generally received opinion is, that they are owing to the extraordinary refraction which the rays of the sun undergo in passing through masses of air in contact with a surface greatly heated: this may seem to account for their frequency in the deserts of Arabia, where they are by no means uncommon; but the solution seems hardly satisfactory as applied to the present case, and especially when we take into account the difference in the climate of our own country and that referred to.

In the second volume of the Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England, recently published by the Record Commissioners, the following curious particulars are given respecting the revenue and expenditure of this country. In 1421, (the 9th of Henry V.,) the whole amount of receipts into the Exchequer was 55,7437. Of this sum the custos of England received 8000 marks. 19,119%. 5s. 10d. were appropriated for the war allowance of Calais and the marches; for the defence of the east march of Scotland, as in time of war, 95007.; the Lieutenant of Ireland received 2500 marks, and the Governor of the Castle of Fronsak, in Nov.-VOL. XLV. NO. CLXXVIX.

2 D