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The lava produced by the volcano of Bourbon does not at all resemble that produced by Vesuvius and Etna: the lava of the two latter volcanos is compact, hard, and not porous: trinkets and snuff-boxes are made of it, which take a polish finer than marble. The pavement of Naples is made of square blocks from Mount Vesuvius, and it is so slip pery that in time of rain we might skate upon it as on ice. The lava of Bourbon is a species of scoria, of a black colour, and presents the aspect of iron dross.

Egypt.-In the journey to Dongolah, in company with the expedition under the direction of Ismael Bey, M. Frederick Caillaud halted some time at Thebes, where he made an interesting discovery. On the 17th of August last, he found in one of the subterraneans of Thebes, a mummy coeval with the time of the Greeks. On the head of the embalmed personage is a gilt crown, in the form of a lotus. The body is wrapped up in bandelets, after the Egyptian manner. On the case or sarcophagus, which envelops the mummy, inscriptions are visible, some in Greek and others in hieroglyphics. On the right side there appears, tied with fillets, a manuscript on papyrus, in the Greek language. The linen that covers the mummy is overspread with

Egyptian subjects and hieroglyphic signs. In the interior of the case the signs of the Zodiac are represented.

AMERICA.

The United States' sloop Peacock sailed from Civita Vecchia,

April 13, whither she was sent by

Commodore Bainbridge, to receive from Rome the monument to Wash

ington, for the State of North Carolina; it was brought in the Peadore Bainbridge received it on cock to Algesiras, where Commoboard the Columbus, it being so the hatches of the Peacock, but large that it could not be got down it was not deemed safe to trust it was lashed on deck; in this situain two packages, each weighing across the Atlantic: it is put up nearly four tons.

SOUTH AMERICA.

It is lamentable that human blood should continue to be shed in the Spanish provinces under the enlightened auspices of the Spanish cortes. These legislators have yet, it seems, to learn that colonies are of no other use to a state than to extend undue influence and power of corruption; and that even commerce is improved by freedom. The independents, however, proceed successfully, though subdivided, by the meliorations in Old Spain; and if the last accounts are to be credited, Mexico is likely to be raised into an independent republic; and as such, we predict that it will soon become the most important state on the globe. In the Caraccas success vacillates; and in Peru the Chilian army still keeps the field, apparently in the hope of wearing down the royalists without a battle.

WEST

WEST INDIES.

Private letters from Havannah have been received to the 9th of May, which represent the island as being sickly. A fever also prevailed among the shipping in the harbour. The new tariff was suspended up to the time of the departure of the vessel bringing these accounts there. A letter of the 8th of May, from a merchant at Havannah, says, "The duties levied upon the inhabitants of this island by the new tariff have been extremely injurious; and I find that I have a fair prospect of having the duties, I have paid, returned to me. The tariff itself produced such ill consequences that it was only acted upon for a few days."

Extract of a letter from Barbadoes, dated June 11.-"We are sorry to announce the intelligence of a most dreadful fire, which took place at Bridge Town, Barbadoes, June 10th, and which is supposed to have originated through the carelessness of a baker: the conflagration soon spread in all directions, with the most alarming rapidity, and the town presented a scene of confusion and dismay which no pencil could depict. A strong south-east wind added to the fury of the flames. The inhabitants were perfectly aware of the necessity of immediate exertion; nevertheless, so great was their amazement that they were unable to render the least assistance, until the arrival of the 4th (or King's Own) regiment of foot, who, with the utmost alacrity and sang froid, threw aside their arms and accoutrements, rushed into the flames, and, at the hazard of their lives, saved many individuals from the devouring element; and at the same time preserved much

valuable property, which would otherwise have been destroyed or plundered. In fact, the exertions of the officers and men were beyond all praise, and will leave a lasting impression on the inhabitants of this island. Upwards of 60 houses were consumed. We are much indebted to Gen. Mainwaring for his exertions, and the prompt assistance afforded by the garrison, but for which the greater part of the town must have been burned."

AUGUST.

GREAT BRITAIN. 2. The town of Gravesend became the scene of much bustle, in consequence of an elopement which took place between an officer, said to be in the guards, and the daughter of a general. An attachment had subsisted for some time between the parties; their union, however, was opposed by the family of the young lady, who determined to prevent it by sending her to the East Indies. She was put on board a vessel lying off Gravesend, in company with her father and brothers, and was to have sailed on the following day. Her lover by some means gained information of her situation, and hastened to the scene of action with a determination of making an effort to recover his fair one. He succeeded in conveying a request to her that she would hold herself in readiness to escape, if a boat with certain marks should approach the ship. About seven in the evening he started in disguise, with four dexterous rowers, and as he neared the ship, he perceived with his glass the lady walking the deck; he boldly approached,

and

and in an instant the fair damsel, in the presence of her father and brothers, who had not the slightest suspicion that such a coup de main was in contemplation, slipped down the side of the vessel, and was carried off. They were quickly pursued to Gravesend, where they were delayed in procuring post horses, and fortune once more appeared to be against them. The father and brothers accidentally entered the very house where the fugitives were, and insisted that the lady should be given up. By this time the circumstances of the case were all known in the town, and it was intimated to the captain by some of the resident watermen, who are always upon the look-out for what they term "a lark," that when all was ready he should not be prevented from carrying off the object of his wishes. A chaise and four was soon procured, when a determined scuffle took place; might, however, overcame right, and again had the friends the mortification of seeing the lady fly before their faces. They were quickly followed to London, and traced as far as Charing-cross, where no further clue could be gained to guide pursuit.

Same day, as lord Breadalbane's wood-officer and gamekeeper were both on one horse, crossing the river Lochay, on the ford Caisleach dhubh," the swell in the river rendered it dangerous to attempt the ford, which is very rapid. The horse stumbled, and both the men fell off into the river. The wood-officer had a hold of the bridle, by which means he was providentially saved; the gamekeeper never got on his feet, and was taken away

His

rapidly by the stream until he went to Dundnaireachan. corpse was not found till next day.

8.-At six o'clock in the evening, the Earl Moira smack packet left the pier-head at Liverpool, on her voyage to Dublin, with from 100 to 110 persons on board, including the crew, which consisted of about six persons. The wind blew strong from the W.N.W. and after passing the Gut Buoy, No. 1. in attempting to tack, the vessel missed stays, and struck on Burbo Bank.

Alarmed by this accident, and by the state of the weather, a number of the passengers requested the captain to put back for Liverpool, but he was unfortunately in a state of intoxication, and having again got into deep water, he pursued his voyage. About ten o'clock the vessel again missed stays, and grounded on the Wharf Bank, off Mock Beggar. The top mast was then struck, and the captain and crew assured the passengers that there was no danger. When the flood tide set in, the vessel began to heave, and struck the bank with so much violence, that at half past two o'clock in the morning she was filled with water fore and aft, and the pumps became wholly ineffectual. The passengers now wished a signal of distress to be hoisted, but the captain, stupified by liquor, would not consent.

Between four and five o'clock, the water forced away the cabin deck windows, and the luggage, provisions, &c. were floated up, the sea breaking over them. The waves increased along with the rising tide, and at last brought the vessel on her broadside. Soon

after

after the boat and deck lumber were washed overboard. All who were able now got upon the shrouds, and some held on by ropes fastened to the bulwarks, or to wherever they could find to keep them out of water, it being then breast high on deck, and nothing but the weather gunnel and mast to be seen. In this manner, men, women, and children clung, until exhausted by the continuance of the waves that burst over them, they began to drop from their hold and were overwhelmed. One tremendous wave which struck the weather bow, carried off from ten to fifteen poor souls at once, and every succeeding wave appeared to mark its victims; the survivors had scarcely time to breathe between.

The captain was among the first who perished. A woman with two children was washed from her hold, and they all three perished, locked in each other's arms. Out of ten men who clung to the ropes, seven were washed overboard by a tremendous wave.

It is impossible to learn the exact number of those who perished, but it may be safely stated at fifty souls. Many of the passengers were of the most respectable families on their way to meet his majesty in Ireland, and carried with them considerable property. All the survivors state the accident to have originated in the intoxication of the captain and his mate, and the greater part of the crew, the steward and one or two others only having done their duty.

Between seven and eight o'clock the Hoylake life-boat arrived, and took on board about thirty

of the passengers, all much exhausted, and some of them in a dying state. A second boat ar

rived from Liverpool about eight o'clock, and received about eight more of the passengers. Before the third boat arrived, the deck of the earl Moira was borne up by the sea, and the mast fell. Many of the women were swept away, but about twelve persons got into this boat. There were five ladies cabin passengers, only one of whom was saved. Out of eighty-three cabin passengers, sixteen only were saved.

11. A curious fish, supposed to belong to the species known among sailors by the name of Johnny Dory, was found entangled behind the paling of a sea fence, below Dunmore harbour. It must have got into this situation during high water. When found, the water had left it, and it was heard bleating like a lamb, which it continued to do till the fisher who first made the discovery killed it. It was carried to Dunmore-house. It weighed fortytwo pounds, was three feet long and twenty inches broad. The colour of the fish was black, with large whitish spots on the sides, without any scales; the eyes as large as those of a horse; the mouth quite round, without teeth, and so large as to admit a man's hand freely; and round the extremity of the mouth is a folding of the skin, resembling a swine's snout. The belly only was fat, and the flesh resembled veal in taste. A person from the West Indies described it as a native of that country; that he had seen many, but none near so large.

12. In the evening, about seven o'clock, as a punt belonging

to

to the Avon pleasure boat of Bristol, was coming up the river with five persons on board, she came in contact with a rope that was fastened across the river, from a sloop which was grounded on the mud, near Cumberland Basin, when the people on board the sloop not slacking down the line, the boat was upset, and one man drowned, who has left a wife and three children totally depending upon him for support. Two grappled on the rope and were taken off; the others swam on shore.

13. This morning, a most distressing event happened at one of the Slatherill coal pits, near Audley, in Staffordshire. Owing to the wakes and races in the neighbourhood, the pit had been unemployed the previous week, and in consequence an increased accumulation of inflammable gas had taken place; notwithstanding which, the usual caution of suspending a chafing-dish, or lamp of fire, in the communicating pit, to rarify the air, and draw out the obnoxious part from the working pit, was not taken until the morning of the accident, which when in regular work should be done the preceding evening. About eight o'clock in the morning of the day above named, four men and five youths were at work in the pit, when the inflammable gas came in contact with the flame of the candle by which they were working, and ignited, when a most tremendous explosion took place, and the flame issued from the mouth of the pit as from a furnace; the whole of the party became a sacrifice to the effects produced. Soon as possible, means

were

taken for descending the pit; several persons went down, but were unable to proceed for want of pure air, and sustained injury in the attempt; one to such an extent that his recovery is considered doubtful, in consequence of a second explosion. About eight in the evening two men descended, and found the bodies of the sufferers, and they were brought forth from the pit in a very mangled condition. The remains of the deceased were interred in Audley church yard on Thursday last. Four men of the name of Barnett, a father, two sons, and a grandson, were among the sufferers.

16. The following dreadful outrage was committed in the neighbourhood of Aughnacloy, county of Tyrone. Four men employed in valuing the tithes in the united parishes of Aughaloo and Carntul, midway between the residence of Mr. Knox and Ballyawly, on the mail-coach road, were attacked by a number of persons disguised, and beat in such an inhuman manner that one of them expired in about two hours after, and it is expected that one of the others will not recover, his skull being dreadfully fractured, and he otherwise unmercifully abused. An inquest was held on the body by Mr. Stewart Mulligan, one of the coroners for the county, who brought in a verdict that the deceased was murdered by some persons unknown.

17.-Early this morning, a man and his wife, with a young child, ventured on an attempt to cross the sands from Parkgate to Flint, with a horse and cart loaded with herrings. We understand, that this is sometimes done at low water

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