ment-revenue system, &c. &c. are adverted to, at some length, and certainly the entire paper evinces that the rulers of Colombia are as indefatigable as could be wished in encouraging and aiding the spirit of the people. The most important, and by far the most desirable object alluded to, however, is a projected confederacy of Colombia, Chili, Peru, Mexico, and Buenos Ayres, in support of their mutual independence; on the anticipation of this, the message dwells with some confidence. Unfortunately, however, our subsequent accounts do not seem by any means to justify such sanguine expectations on the part of the Colombian Vicepresident. On the contrary, Bolivar and his patriotic contingent have become the objects of serious jealousy in Peru, and this has risen to such a height that even their late President Torre Tagles has gone over to the royalist party. The fortress of Callao had been betrayed into the hands of the Spaniards, and Lima was again in their possession. Bolivar published a proclamation deploring these events, conciliating as well as he could the domestic faction whose jealousy had been excited, and declaring his determination to resign his power on the defeat of their mutual enemies. There can be no doubt that he will do all that talent, intrepidity, and zeal can perform; and just as little that he will not be tempted to convert the credulity of those who trust him into any instrument of "low ambition." His whole life stands directly opposed to any such suspicion. Upon the whole, the patriotic cause has much to contend with in Peru-it is considered the most royal and Spanish of all the provinces, and seems at present alive, not so much to its oppressions as to those little selfish and envious feelings which would resist even its deliverance at the hands of a stranger. Bolivar, however, is not of a temperament to be easily discouraged, and unaided as he seems by the people to whose rescue he comes, he has with him a Colombian force which is considered more than adequate to the occasion. We must not omit to add, that as far as their journals can be credited (in a free country no mean authorities), there seems to be a strong feeling in Colombia itself

against the policy of the auxiliary expedition. Some dispatches have arrived from Mr. Harvey, the Commissioner deputed from our government to Mexico, in order to ascertain the political situation and sentiments of that country. Those dispatches have not been officially published, but rumours of their contents have got abroad which we hope may be found correct. It is said that there is not now, and has not for some time been, a single Spanish soldier in that province, and that such measures have been taken as are likely to ensure the public tranquillity. The designs of Iturbide seem to have been fully anticipated-the moment intelligence arrived of his departure from Italy his pension was stopped, and General Bravo was nominated supreme director, in order to counteract the intrigues which this man's treacherous ambition had fomented. In the same ship which brought Mr. Harvey's dispatches, Don Jose Mariano Michelena, the new confidential agent to this country came a passenger.

There is no news from Spain of any interest-none certainly of any novelty. Ferdinand every now and then retires to his country palace to meditate, no doubt, on the blessings he bestows upon his people, and the glorious figure his reign will cut in history. He is generally accompanied in these excursions by the most intolerant of his ministers, and his return to Madrid is marked by the promulgation of some fresh decree more odious than its predeces

sor.

The Pope, who, since his election, has remained in a very infirm state of health, appears at last to have become at least convalescent; and as a proof of his returning energy, has issued what he calls an encyclic epistle, which must prove highly refreshing to the soul of every true believer. He indignantly dwells upon the diffusion of liberal theological opinions, denounces their authors, and benevolently calls upon the Almighty to crush them. The Bible Societies and the distributors of the sacred text without note or comment are also piously anathematized-indeed the holy fervour of this Christian epistle most clearly proves that the Almighty would not be called in to annihilate

force at all events, as the population of the Birman empire is estimated at seventeen millions.

We are very sorry to have to announce an event which partakes somewhat both of a foreign and domestic character; the death of the King and Queen of the Sandwich Islands. These strangers, with a considerable suite, had lately arrived in London for the purpose, it was said, of some personal disclosure from his Sandwich Majesty to our King-this disclosure unfortunately never took place, as the interview was protracted until this fatal illness rendered it impossible, and the royal visitor refused to make the communication even to Mr. Canning, who personally entertained their Majesties, and paid them an attention which did him credit. The complaint with which they and all their attendants were seized was the measles, unknown, it seems, in their islands. The Queen was the first victim, and in a few days after she was followed by the King, whose anxiety and depression at her death, say the physicians, aggravated all the symptoms of his disease. It is remarkable with what firmness they both died, being, it appears, perfectly conscious of their fate, and declaring their perfect resignation. When the Queen died, the King asked of his attendants whether they had seen her entombed; and on being informed they had, he said he was happy, and hoped that he should soon be with her, directing, in such event, that their bodies should be conveyed, as soon as possible, to his dominions. His Majesty, as did also the Queen, lay in state for a day or two after their death-the bodies were carefully embalmed, and deposited in leaden coffins in the vaults of St. Martin's church. The decoration of the rooms in which the bodies lay is represented as very imposing it was performed after the manner of their country. The floor was strewed with rose leaves, and the war cloaks hung around the coffin; on the lid of the King's coffin was placed his magnificent sabre, which was entirely of gold, and beautifully ornamented. Intelligence of this event was immediately dispatched to the Prime Minister of the Sandwich Isles, who, it seems, was jocularly called by the

King, Mr. Pitt. It is supposed that the vessel will take five months in her voyage. The rest of the suite, together with the remains of their Majesties, are to follow as soon as possible. This event has caused a very melancholy sensation, not only among the royal attendants, but throughout the whole metropolis. Even independent of the correct deportment exhibited by these people, the first of their race who visited us, their decease in a strange land, under such circumstances, is calculated to excite a very sorrowful interest. They had all the care and attention which medical skill and private kindness could administer to them. They had, it seems, before their arrival, been converted to Christianity; and the Sandwich Islands have reason to lament the loss of many improve ments which the sagacity of their King, who was very observant, would no doubt have introduced amongst his subjects.

The accounts from the West Indies describe the islands as in a state of great danger and confusion. The black population are extremely restless, and the whites proportionably irritable and vindictive. The Demerara papers are filled with discontent at the pardon extended to Mr. Smith, the missionary, but find some consolation in his Majesty's proclamation, that no emancipation of the slaves is in the royal contemplation. On the arrival of this document, two slaves were selected from every gang to hear the gracious declaration read, and convey its philanthropic intelligence to their fellows. We stated some time since the plan proposed by Mr. Canning, in parliament, for the gradual amelioration of these countries. The plan, however, seems to have given very little satisfaction in the places where it was intended to operate, and in Trinidad the white inhabitants have drawn up and voted a strong memorial against it.-Some important change seems to be in progress with respect to the black republic of Hayti; but its object does not at present fully develope itself. In St. Domingo the fear of a French invasion predominates, but with little apparent reason. Haytian envoys are represented as having arrived in Paris; and it is asserted that France is about to recognise the independ

ence of the republic, in consideration of her receiving in return certain commercial advantages: a rumour much more probable than that of an invasion.

A curious piece of intelligence has come by accident to our knowledge within the last week. Many of our readers are not perhaps aware that the original will of Napoleon is in the hands of a proctor, in Doctor's Commons; deposited there, as we have been given to understand, by Count Montholon, one of the executors and a principal legatee. This document, bequeathing immense property, has been the subject of considerable litigation in the French Courts, and there have been even some crowned opponents on the subject. The actual instrument itself, however, has never yet come before the public; the various discussions having arisen merely upon extracts. Indeed the will itself is of such a nature that it cannot fail to prove extremely disagreeable to more governments than the French. It is written with great art, though with great asperity, and is throughout highly characteristic of its author. It is a remarkable fact, that in its very first sentence Napoleon calls the Government of England an oligarchy. His phrases, seldom flung out at chance, are seldom without a very appropriate meaning; the same sentence also sets the question between Mr. O'Meara and Sir Hudson Lowe completely at rest, but in whose favour it is not for us to offer an opinion. The bequests are, some of them, likely to excite recollections in the French army by no means palatable to the present reigning family; and indeed we should say that the entire document is likely, if now promulgated, to prove very injurious to their interest. The strange fact however is, that Count Montholon dispatched a special courier to the proctor, last week, directing him instantly to prove the will,-a step which must ensure its extensive publication. Montholon is living in Paris, under the very eye of the French Government; a Government so timid with respect to publications, that some very harmless English journals are prohibited by them. We have, however, no hesitation in saying that this document, if it comes under the eye of the army,

will prove more dangerous than the whole British Press taken together. A caveat has been entered for the present, which, however, cannot be sustained, though it may delay the grant of the probate, and of course the publication for a short time.

Parliament has been prorogued after a session of very little interest, by a speech which contained, if possible, still less. There was very little business for the two or three nights immediately preceding the prorogation. Sir James Macintosh, on presenting a petition from some merchants at Manchester praying for the speedy recognition of South American independence, took occasion to allude in terms of strong panegyric to Lord Cochrane, and those late exploits which must increase the general regret that a name so honourable to the British nation was not still enrolled in the British Navy. Indeed, we believe, that there is now but one opinion as to the severity exercised towards this most gallant officer. We are glad to observe, by a motion of Mr. Herries, that it is in contempla tion immediately to concentrate and simplify the Excise and Custom laws. This is an amendment much wanted. These laws, which now run into two or three hundred enactments, are to be comprised in four or five separate bills. Our whole civil and criminal code requires a similar concentration. At present few eyes can read, few memories retain, and few understandings comprehend it. Some discussion took place upon the conduct of the Surrey Magistrates, and the atrocious treatment to which Mr. O'Callaghan had been subjected in the Surrey prison. This case has excited a great sensation throughout the country. Mr. O'Callaghan's imprisonment has expired, and on his leaving the prison he was loudly and repeatedly cheered by the populace. The following is the account given of the prorogation of parliament.

The Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack at one o'clock, at which time the body of the House was completely filled with elegantly dressed ladies. At half past two o'clock, His Majesty, accompanied by the great officers of state, entered the House, and seated himself on the throne, crowned. In a few minutes the Speaker appeared at the bar, accompanied by about fifty members. Mr. Canning was the only

cabinet minister present; he wore the Windsor uniform. The Speaker then addressed the King in a speech containing an outline of the labours of the session. He presented a Bill of Supply and other bills, which received the royal assent; after which His Majesty delivered the following speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I cannot close this Session of Parlia

ment without returning to you my warmest acknowledgments for the diligence and assiduity with which you have applied yourselves to the several objects, of public interest that have been submitted to your consideration. I deeply regret the painful necessity under which you have found yourselves, of renewing for a further pein Ireland. I entirely approve of the inriod, measures of extraordinary precaution quiries which you have thought proper to institute as to the nature and extent of the evils unhappily existing in the disturbed districts of that country, and I have no doubt that you will see the expediency of pursuing your inquiries in another session. I continue to receive from all Foreign Powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country, and you may rely on my endeavours being general peace and to the protection of the invariably directed to the maintenance of a interests and extension of the commerce of my subjects.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I thank you for the supplies which you have provided for the service of the present year, and especially for the grants which you have so liberally made in furtherance of the interests of religion, and in support of the splendour of the Crown. I am fully sensible of the advantages which may be expected to arise from the relief you have afforded to some of the most important branches of the national industry.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

peating to you my congratulations upon "I have the greatest satisfaction in rethe general and increasing prosperity of the country. I am persuaded that you will carry with you into your respective counties the same spirit of harmony which has distinguished your deliberations during the present session; and that you will cultivate among all classes of my subjects those feelings of content and attachment to the Constitution, upon the continuance and diffusion of which, under Providence, mainly depends, not only individual happiness, but the high station which this kingdom holds among the nations of the world."

The Lord Chancellor then said,

My Lords and Gentlemen,-It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this Parliament be prorogued to Tuesday the 24th day of August next, to be then here

holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday the 24th day of August next."

The Commons then retired, and his Majesty departed.

Our readers will perceive by this, that the King prorogued parliament in person. He was well received by the people, but looked pale and walked infirmly. On passing through the painted chamber he leaned upon the arm of Lord Gwydyr.

A new commissioner has been appointed under the new Insolvent Act, and three out of the four commissioners are to make three circuits every year. Each of these circuits is calculated at 800 miles, so that each commissioner must travel yearly 2400 miles! Can these gentlemen be said to belong to a sedentary profession?

Within the last month, a very unusual number of crim.con. cases have been tried, and some of them of a very aggravated nature. We are informed that there are now forty-four new churches and chapels building around the metropolis.

Having in a former number alluded to a publication grossly impugning Doctor Warburton's madhouse, it is only due to that gentleman to say, that he brought an action against the libeller (one Benbow), who did not even attempt a defence; 500 damages were given: Benbow, it seems, is a prisoner in the King's Bench for debt.

was

AGRICULTURE.

Since our last report great alteration has taken place in the crops in general. The wheat now promises almost in every county throughout the kingdom to be extremely productive, and if the weather proves propitious and harvesting, the crop will be at least an average one. Throughout all the reports from the different counties, we do not perceive a single one which speaks doubtfully of the wheat. The barleys are not however so good, but the crop will be very fair, considering the cold in the early part of the season. The young clovers are growing very strong and fast among the barley, which generally causes the harvest to be later. It is expected that it will begin about the first and second week of August, and will be pretty general before the twentieth. The hay crop was extremely heavy, and has been got up in a better state than has been known for many years. The season continues most favourable for turnips, which are doing admirably, and at present but very few failures are heard of. In some parts of the eastern district the sowing will be late in consequence of the delay in the hay-harvest.

Mr. Sutton's method for the destruction of the turnip-fly has excited some attention among the agriculturists, who are divided in their opinions of its efficacy. The pamphlet has occasioned many speculations on the subject, and has given rise to the promulgation of several other methods for the destruction of this insect, which are considered more applicable to any season.

Mr. Paul, of Starston, Norfolk, who has endeavoured so successfully to eradicate this