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BERKSHIRE.

Dr. Valpy, the venerable Head Master of Reading school, having discharged the duties of that important station for fifty years, was, during the past month, presented with a service of plate, subscribed for by his numerous pupils. It consists of three silver salvers, richly chased, and an elegant soup tureen and cover, after the pattern of the famous vase in the possession of the Earl of Warwick, with an allegorical device happily suited to the occasion, representing Telemachus sacrificing to Minerva, attended by Benevolence and Friendship. The office of presenting the plate was assigned by the committee to Mr. Baron Bolland, who was one of Dr. Valpy's earliest scholars, and who had written the inscription, but he was prevented from attending by the necessity of visiting some very aged relatives in Yorkshire, and Mr. Talfourd was requested to fill his place. The entire area of the spacious school-room was laid out with an elegant breakfast, to which one hundred and sixty ladies and gentlemen sat down at ten o'clock. After breakfast, the plate was arranged on the desk which has been for fifty years occupied by Dr. Valpy, at the head of the school; the scholars of the school were all admitted, and lined the room on each side, and Mr. Talfourd being called for to express the feelings of the subscribers, advanced to the desk and delivered it with an eloquent address, which was replied to with deep feeling by the excellent gentleman. The vase contained the following inscription:"To the Rev. Richard Valpy, D.D. who for the long space of fifty years presided over Reading school, distinguished for his piety and learning, this testimony of respect and affection was presented by his grateful scholars on the 19th of October 1830."

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

The County Herald" has given the following gloomy intelligence from Aylesbury:-Agricultural abandonment on the part of the tenantry, we are sorry to learn, is fast spreading in Buckinghamshire, the whole of the farmers in the parish of Dorton, (adjoining Wotton Underwood,) with one exception, having either left their farms, or are about to leave them at Lady-day next, when the proprietor, C. S. Ricketts, Esq. will have three thousand acres of land on band. That gentleman's tenants in a neighbouring parish (Boarstal) have also declared that unless a considerable reduction of rent takes place, they cannot hold their farms. In the parish of Chilton, which adjoins Dorton, two tenants of the Honourable H. G. Bennett have lately sold off their stock, being about to leave their farms. We regret to add, that Mr. Grace, a most respectable tenant, and a person universally esteemed, is likewise about to eave Church Farm, Prince's Risborough, which has been in the occupation of that gentleman's family more than a century.

The sum of 37611. 10s. is already subscribed towards erecting Bucks County Infirmary, in addition to annual subscriptions amounting to

597. 19s.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

CORNWALL.

It

DEVONSHIRE.

ESSEX.

A fire lately broke out in a barn occupied by Mr. Sach, at Raleigh, Essex. The flames spread with frightful rapidity, quickly setting fire to the adjoining hay and other stacks, which were entirely consumed. The premises were insured. Two men, named Ewen and Richardson, have been committed to prison on suspicion of having caused this conflagration. The latter is a bad character, and was formerly wandering about Kent, in which county he was known as the wild man of the woods.

A fire broke out recently at the Blue Boar Inn, Aldridge, Essex, by which the house, furniture, plate, and stock in trade were entirely consumed. Mr. Mansfield, the landlord, got up about half-past two o'clock, in consequence of a strong smell of smoke proceeding up-stairs; and on going down stairs discovered the flames issuing from the side of the bar chimney, where the fire must have commenced. The fire was not effectually subdued till between five and six o'clock. A cottage belonging to the inn was much injured; and Mr. Mead, whose house is adjoining, will suffer to the

1830.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

The following names have been added to the Commission of the Peace for the county of Gloucester, granted upon the accession of his present Majesty :--James Henry, Lord Bishop of Gloucester; Hon. Augustus Henry Moreton, Hon. John Thomas Dutton, Hon. Chas. Bathurst, clerk, Andrew Carrick, M.D., Thomas Newell, M.D., Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley, Thomas Barwick Lloyd Baker, Michael Hicks Hicks Beach, Thomas Beale Browne, James Blackman, Henry John Clifford, Thomas Daniel, jun., William Fripp, William John Pitt Goodrich, Robert Blagden Hale, John Curtis Hayward, John Hickford, Edmund Hopkinson, Ebenezer Ludlow, and Hector Maclaine, Esquires; and Thomas Leveson Lane, clerk.

HAMPSHIRE.

The burning system has extended to Hampshire. On the 18th of Nov. Mr. Westmore, of Gosport, a Government contractor, who had previously received a threatening letter signed "Swing," had his barns and stacks burnt down.

HUNTINGDONSHIRE.

The incendiaries have also in this county commenced their destructive work. Accounts receiv. ed on the 24th are full of dreadful details.

KENT.

Wo fear it cannot be denied that a considerable portion of the peasantry of Kent are in a state of reckless insubordination. Outrages on property of the most alarming description are manifestly on the increase. Bodies of men almost nightly, and of late even by day, assemble and proceed from one house to another, destroying in the most open and daring manner the agricultural machinery on the premises; and, far worse, the secret incendiary plies his occupation with a frequency and success that must, if continued, ere long, de solate the whole county. Aların naturally prevails all around. No man who possesses and dwells amid property of this description can lay his head on his pillow without the frightful anticipation of being roused to witness its destruc tion, and endeavour to rescue his dwelling and his family from the flames. Very recently several serious fires have occurred, and demolition of thrashing machines been committed in every district of East Kent. No measures of precaution among the owners of such property have availed. Leniency and severity seem alike employed in vain, Many of the depredators have been committed to prison, and the military are constantly engaged in attempted prevention or pursuitwith what effect, the augmentation of outrage and calamity best shows. On the other hand, the unexpectedly lenient sentence passed by the magistrates on some convicted rioters at the late Sessions, seems equally to have failed in impressing favourably the minds of those associated in crime.-Kent Herald.

From the "Kentish Gazette:"-The disturbances in this county have now attained to a most alarming magnitude, and are manifestly on the increase. Each aucceeding day brings fresh accounts of violence and outrage, and fear and excitement everywhere prevail. The leniency of the magistrates towards the convicted rioters seems to

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have made no favourable impression on their associates in crime, and the military are now kept constantly engaged in attempted prevention of outrage, or in pursuit of the delinquents. Notwithstanding the report of the agricultural labourers having several times been observed to hoist the tri-coloured flag, it is our firm opinion that this class of men are not actuated by any political feeling, but that they have been driven to a state of desperation by the misery and starvation which so fearfully prevail.

A meeting of the magistrates of the county of Kent has been held at the Sessions-house in Maidstone, pursuant to notices convening it, issued from the Marquess Camden, as Lord-Lieutenant of the county. The meeting was one of the largest assembled for years past. The Marquess Camden took the chair; but as the proceedings were not public, all that can be known is the result of the deliberations, which was the following resolutions, passed unanimously ::-"1. That the justices of this county, in consequence of the daring outrages lately committed, feel themselves called upon to declare their firm determination to suppress all illegal assemblies, and to preserve the peace of the county, by calling into active execution the powers vested in them by law.-2. That, with this view, constant communications be established between the justices acting in the different divisions.-3. That the justices will, in their respective districts, consult and advise with the parishioners to the best mode of employing the labourers at proper and sufficient wages." These resolutions are signed by the chairman, and it is intended to print and distribute them in the different divisions of the county.

There was also a meeting of the labouring classes about the same time on Penenden Heath. The number at the utmost did not amount to a thousand, but it was rumoured that they would be much more numerous, and that perhaps the magistrates or military would interfere; such, however, was not the case. There was a large placard mounted on a pole, in the middle of the Heath, round which the crowd assembled; it was inscribed as follows:-" Reform of the Commons House; right of vote for all men of 21 years of age; vote by ballot; annual or two years' parliaments: these rights and privileges, or nothing. Respect the soldiers, for they are our friends.” Between twelve and one o'clock, a great number of labourers from Thurnham and its neighbourhood arrived on the Heath. Their appearance was in the extreme of wretchedness; some had neither shoes nor stockings, and the garments of others (indeed of the most) betokened great distress and poverty. All who came behaved themelves with great propriety.

LANCASHIRE.

Another fatal accident has occurred on the Manchester and Liverpool railway. Mr. Hunter, landlord of a public-house at Eccles, who had been in the habit of riding backwards and forwards on the engine or waggons, on Thursday placed himself on the steps at the back of the tender on its return from Chat Moss, (whence it was employed to carry earth to repair embankments,) and the axle-tree breaking, the body of the tender, with the water-cask, tell upon him and killed him on the spot. We learn that, since the opening of the rail-road on the 15th of September, fourteen

stage-coaches, which travelled daily from Manchester to Liverpool, have been withdrawn, though the fares were materially reduced. There are still twelve daily coaches upon the road, but it is not expected they will be long able to compete with the shareholders. The withdrawal of the fourteen coaches, which have already been taken off the road, as from each a Government duty was paid of 15s. per day, will cause a deficit in the revenue of nearly 4000l. per annum.

The river Irwell, near Manchester, was suddenly overflowed on Tuesday, the 16th, and much valuable property destroyed; many thousand acres of land are laid under water. Wrecks of cottages, bleachfields, and the bodies of drowned cow, were floating down the river all day. The Warrington coaches were detained by the state of the road, and it is said that the total loss by this flood already exceeds 100,000l.

LEICESTERSHIRE.

On Wednesday, the 3rd ult., a county meeting was held at the Castle, Leicester, in consequence of a requisition to the Sheriff, very numerous and respectably signed, to "consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament to take immediate measures for the early and effectual abolition of Slavery throughout the British dominions." After the Sheriff had taken the chair, a series of resolutions condemnatory of the system of slavery, and a petition founded upon them were moved by C. M. Phillipps, Esq. of Garendon Park, and seconded by T. E. Dicey, Esq. Before any of the other gentlemen on the platform could address the meeting, an amendment was proposed and seconded from the lower part of the Court, by Mr. Scale and Mr. Bailey, to the effect that it was hopeless to apply for redress of grievances to a House of Commons constituted as the present one is, and that a Reform in Parliament was es sential. After much deliberation, and after adjourning into the open air, for the purpose of affording greater accommodation, the Sheriff decided that he would not suffer the amendment to be put, as being irrelevant to the object of the meeting. In the then temper of the assembly, it was thought expedient to withdraw the original resolutions, and the Sheriff dissolved the meeting without any result.

MIDDLESEX.

Great alarm prevails at Hounslow, Bedfont, Northhide, Lampton, and Heston, amongst the farmers and agriculturists, for the safety of their property, in consequence of the work of incendiaries having commenced in the neighbourhoods above-named; and threatening letters have been sent to the following farmers and gentlemen who have estates upon which they have for some time used machinery instead of hand labour :-The Rev.Trimmer, at Heston, one of the magistrates for the county; Mr. Peto, at Heston, the builder in the Waterloo road; Mr. Taylor, of Lampton; Mr. Parsham, of Northhide; Mr. Sher. borne, of Bedfont, and many others. The threatening epistles are signed, as they are in Kent, by the name of "Swing," and are to the same purport. About a fortnight since, one of them was sent to Mr. Sherborne, at Bedfont, declaring that unless he immediately dispensed with his threshing machines, his barns should be razed to the ground. Mr. Sherborne took no notice of the breat, with the exception of keeping a sharp loo

out after any suspicious characters.—On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 16th of Nov. about two o'clock, it is said that two respectably-dressed men, who were travelling in a barouche, stopped a boy on the road, and one of them said, "Who's your master, boy?" The boy replied, "Master Sherborne, Sir."-" Oh, then, tell him to keep a look out;" and then drove on. The boy, it is said, told his master of the circumstance upon his return, yet still it did not excite any alarm in Mr. Sherborne. About ten o'clock, however, the same night, his two barns, several outhouses, and stabling, were discovered to be on fire, and the flames raged so rapidly, that very little of the stock could be saved. The villagers, as might be imagined, as well as those adjacent, were roused to the highest state of alarm, especially those to whom letters had been sent. Messengers were dispatched to Brentford for the engines, but be fore they could arrive, the whole of the barns and outhouses, &c. were destroyed. The incendiaries, previous to firing the stables, had removed the horses to a place of safety hard by, where they were found afterwards. Mr. Sherborne's property was insured in the County Fire Office, which office has offered a reward of 2001, for the discovery of the miscreant.

NORFOLK.

The following statement appears in the "Morning Chronicle," and as friends to truth (says the "Bury Post,") we cannot pass it over unnoticed; but we hope at the same time that the fact alleged is capable of satisfactory explanation. "Mr. Coke and his family, for a century and a half, have held the lease of the Light-house at Dungeness, in Kent, at the annual rent of 61. 13s. 4d. The amount of money thus pocketed must have exceeded a million and a half sterling. The lease was renewed on the 16th of November, 1828, in consequence of a representation made by the agent of Mr. Coke to the Treasury, that the said Light-house and tolls or dues, have been always from time to time made the subjects of family settlements and arrangements, and treated as a part of his (Mr. Coke's) family estate, and settled therewith as leasehold renewable under the Crown for a period of nearly one hundred and fifty years.' A new lease was most inconsiderately granted for twenty-one years, with power to collect from all shipping a rate of one penny per ton; and after deducting all expenses, to autho rise Mr. Coke to retain one-half for his own use. By Mr. Coke's own account the sums extorted by this tax in five following years, amounted to nearly 40,000l. Thus Mr. Coke has put in his pocket at this one Lighting-house job, little short of 20,0007. in five years."

SOMERSETSHIRE.

Three livings are at present vacant in Bristol and its neighbourhood, occasioned by the deaths of the Rev. E. C. Greville and the Rev. Walter Trevelyan; viz. the rectory of Clevedon, the vicarage of St. Stephen, and the living of Henbury.

STAFFORDSHIRE.

The Staffordshire Mercury mentions, among the "signs of the times" in the hitherto peaceful district of the Potteries, "the introduction of tricoloured flags, nobody knowing from whence or by whom the distribution of inflammatory tracts by strangers, who avoid answering any questions as to their employers-and the appearance in the

1830..

neighbourhood of persons bearing every characteristic of emissaries of a dangerous society."

SUFFOLK.

The Custom House at Aldborough, Suffolk, was lately broken into by some persons unknown, who succeeded in carrying off twenty casks of tobacco.

Ipswich Mechanics' Institution.-A lectare on the Steam-Engine was lately delivered before the Society by Mr. Hurwood. After a short but appropriate introduction, he proceeded to give a description of the steam-engine, as first invented by Savary, the subsequent improvements by Newcomen, and lastly, the important discoveries of Watt. The lecture was illustrated by some beautifully executed drawings, and a model of the section of a steam engine, showing in a correct and clever manner the motions of its several parts when in action.

SURREY.

The extensive farming premises, the property of Day, Esq. in the occupation of Pinder Simpson, Esq. situate at Caterham, six miles southeast of Croydon, in Surrey, have been set on fire. In the course of a couple of hours, the whole was nearly destroyed; namely, three large barns, filled with corn, two wheat ricks, and three valuable stacks of hay, together with the stabling and other ont-buildings. That this destruction of property was the work of incendiaries, not the slightest doubt is entertained in the village where it occurred. It is satisfactory, however, to know, that the labouring people of the neighbourhood evinced every disposition to arrest the progress of the flames.

SUSSEX.

The Chain Pier.-Captain S. Brown, R. N. has visited Brighton, for the purpose of inspecting the Chain Pier, to which extensive alterations and repairs are about to be made. Some of the piles at the extremity, and also, it is thought, of the third clump, are affected by the worms; and it is, in consequence, intended to renew the lower parts. The works will be commenced very shortly, and are expected to be finished in the course of the ensuing spring.

A pleasing scene was recently presented at Harland's Farm, Uckfield, where Mr. W. Winton, according to his usual custom, entertained between three and four hundred of his hop-pickers and harvesters, who all partook of the good old English fare, plentifully provided for them, (a fine ox, of upwards of 120 stone, having been killed for the occasion,) and all allowed as much strong beer as they chose. After dinner the jovial country sports and games began, which were continned till the evening, when dancing, singing, and music concluded the happy day.

It is with feelings of the deepest regret we state that the spirit of insubordination which has prevailed and produced such direful effects in Kent, has spread into this county; and that the property of an individual has been sacrificed. Lately, two barns and their contents, belonging to the overseer at Battle, were consumed, and that, too, in a manner, and preceded by circumstances, which leave no doubt that the conflagration was wilfully occasioned. It would appear that, in the parish of Battle, where there are numbers of unemployed poor, with families, the usual ratio of weekly allowance by the overseer is from 6s. to 8s. per week. For some days past,

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the poor had manifested a degree of discontent at the smallness of the allowance, and had made repeated applications to the overseer to increase it to 128. This, the overseer, not having it in his power to comply with, refused; and, in consequence, received a letter, threatening vengeance if the demand was not complied with. No farther notice being taken of the matter, the result was as above stated, causing the destruction of property to a large amount. We have received the intelligence, that a farm house at Brede, near Hastings, was wilfully set on fire, and consumed.

YORKSHIRE.

The surveys for the Manchester and Leeds Railway are nearly completed. Two lines have been suggested; one by Elland, Saddleworth, and Ashton-under-Line, by Rusholme, to Manchester, to join the Liverpool Railway; and the other by Brighouse, Todmorden, and Rochdale, to Saint George's-fields, to join the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The former line has the advantage in distance, being about forty-six miles from Leeds to Manchester; and the latter has the advantage of passing through a more populous and more manufacturing district, the distance being fifty miles. Either of these lines, it is supposed, would fall advantageously into the Leeds and Bradford Railway, at Quarry Gap, about a mile and a half from Bradford.

The Liverpool and Leeds Railway Company are prepared to go to Parliament the present Ses sion, carrying their line near Wigan and Bolton to Bury, and perhaps to Rochdale; but beyond this point their application will not at present extend, though it is their declared intention nltimately to pass through Todmorden, and taking a line to the north of Halifax, to proceed to Leeds. This would be a stupendous undertaking, and it may become a question for consideration, whether it would not be advisable, seeing that the railway communication between Liverpool and Selby would be complete without it, to abandon that line, and to form a coalition between the Leeds and Manchester and the Leeds and Liver. pool Companies, with the view of executing the line not only from Manchester to Leeds, but of ultimately carrying a line from Selby to Hull, thes effecting a complete line of railway communication between the Irish Sea and the German Ocean.

SCOTLAND.

Lord Arbuthnot has been unanimously re-elected Lord Rector of the University and King's College, Aberdeen, for the ensuing year.

On the 27th of October, the Rev. Dr. Singer, Moderator; the Rev. Dr. Macknight, of Edinburgh; the Rev. Dr. Cook, of St. Andrew's; the Rev. Dr. Lee, of Edinburgh; the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, of Edinburgh; Sir John Connel, Advo cate, Procurator for the Church; Sir Henry Jardine, of the Exchequer, Edinburgh; George Sinclair, Esq. the younger, of Ulbster; William Paul, Esq.; the Duke of Gordon, and John J. Hope Johnstone, Esq. of Annandale, waited upon his Majesty, to present to his Majesty an Address from the Ministers and Elders of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which his Majesty was graciously pleased to receive on the throne.

The arrival and settlement of the ex-King of France and his suite at Holyrood House has been followed by that of the Duke and Duchess of An

gouleme, who arrived there on the 3rd of October, It appears that the Royal Party and their suites, now at Holyrood, amount to between ninety and one hundred persons; and it seems probable that this retreat has been chosen as the final resting place of the ex-King, for several of his followers have taken expensive houses in the fashionable parts of the city.

The Glasgow Chronicle states that, the ex-King of France is perfectly reconciled to his situation, and is in greater spirits, and looks better, than any of his family. It is not true that he receives any revenue from France. A sum was, indeed, offered to be paid to him yearly by the French Government, but on the express condition that he would resign the title of his grandson to the throne (an act that he had no power to exercise) in behalf of the Duke of Bourdeaux, an infant.

Mr. Donaldson, of Broughton Hall, a gentleman long connected with the "Edinburgh Advertiser," has left property to the amount of 220,0007. the whole of which he has destined to be employed in the foundation of an hospital for orphan and destitute children, to be erected in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh. Five gentlemen have been appointed to carry this bequest into execution; but we are informed that, owing to the uncertain terms of the will, it may be necessary to procure an Act of Parliament before any decisive steps can be taken. The names of Donaldson and Marshall are to have the preference for admission into the Hospital, these being the names of the testator's parents. Annuities to the extent of only 10007. or 12007. to the relations of the deceased, are the only exceptions to this splendid foundation, and these fall, of course, with the lives of the respective annuitants.

IRELAND.

Mr. Steele, one of the aides-du-camp of the great Agitator, has addressed a few "prave 'ords" to the men of Clare, in the shape of a proclamation, bearing date, "O'Connell's Mountains, Oct. 20." From this rare specimen of Irish eloquence, the following is an extract:-" Ye men of Clare!!! Who are wise and steady as ye are brave. I have read in the Dublin Evening Post of yesterday the proclamation of the Duke of Northumberland, King William's representative in Ireland. I have read it with indignation, and I obey it with curses upon the souls of his Majesty's Polignac administration. In wrath and fury I obey it, but yet I do obey it," &c. &c.-This beats ancient Pistol, out and out.

"Shall dungbill curs confront the Helicons?" Mr. O'Connell, in pursuance of his agitating policy, has established a new Political Club in

Ireland, under the title of "Association of Irish Volunteers for the Repeal of the Union." The subscription of each member on his admission is one pound, and the object of the association, as stated by the Hon. Member, is "for the purpose of obtaining the Repeal of the Union, by legal, constitutional, and peaceable means." An Irish Paper says, for "legal," read “treasonable;” for "constitutional," read "revolutionary;" and for "peaceable," read "rebellions."

When the Lord Mayor of Dublin had presented the addresses to his Majesty, at the late levee, the King was graciously pleased to state, that he should, if he could afford sufficient time for that purpose, pay a visit to Ireland in the course of the summer of 1831. The Queen added, “I shall, please God, accompany his Majesty on his visit to his Irish subjects, and do all in my power to promote and encourage their domestic manufactures.”

The Corporation of Smiths, in Dublin, met to prepare a petition for the Repeal of the Union. Instead of such a resolution, however, an amendment was adopted by acclamation, the substance of which may be gathered from its concluding words-"We, the members of this loyal and ancient guild, do gladly embrace this opportunity of declaring our inviolable allegiance to our gracions Sovereign, and our resolution to uphold with our lives, if necessary, the glorious fabric of the British Constitution."

A great number of influential men of all parties in Ireland have subscribed the declaration proposed by the Duke of Leinster, on the agitation of the question of the Repeal of the Union. Many of the oldest of the Irish patriots, and among them Mr. Devereux, one of the Catholic Delegates of 1793, have declared against the agitation of the plan.

The burnings in England have given a stimulus to our neighbours in Ireland. Sixteen stacks of corn, the property of a respectable farmer named Flanagan, were lately burnt, on his farm at Templeogue, a village about three miles from Dublin. He is unable to give any reason for this outrage, except that he voted for Mr. Hamilton in the late contest for the county of Dublin.

It is said that Mr. George Moore has succeeded in obtaining the situation of Register of Deeds, held by the late Lord Kilwarden. It is added that Mr. Moore has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds, and does not mean again to seek the suffrages of the electors of Dublin. It is also rumoured that Mr. George Dawson is a candidate to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Moore's resignation, and bis arrival in Dublin was talked of. Mr. Moore bas been for some years past one of the Deputies in the Registry Office.

whose employment they have necessarily diminished. In the early part of the mouth, the Liverpool cotton-market became rather dull from that cause; but latterly it has somewhat revived, and sales to the amount of upwards of 20,000 bales have been effected at an advance of oneeighth per Cent, on the American descriptions. A part of the purchases were made on speculation.

The Metropolitan Cotton and Colonial Markets have offered no feature which demands separate