in it, and if the daughters of her master had not also from time to time, but unknown to him, taken some nourishment to her. The dungeon in which she was confined was only nine feet long and six feet broad, and not four feet in height, with no other opening for light and air, when the door was closed, than a small window. The knowledge of this barbarous and illegal treatment having at length reached the law authorities, the prisoner, who was reduced to a skeleton, was at length released by them, and a prosecution was commenced against her owner. The court was excessively crowded and many of the colonists who were present appeared to take a deep interest in the defence of the prisoner, which was chiefly confined to an assertion that he had only exercised the just right which a colonist has over his slaves, and that he believed the woman Lucile to have poisoned his wife and his cattle. The Procureur du Roi (M. Marais,) in his address to the court stated, that the accused, who it appeared had formally protested against the recent order which gives the law authorities the power of visiting the slave establishments in order that the slaves may be protected against ill treatment, pointed out the violations of the law committed by the accused, and stated that he would perform his duty to the end, notwithstanding the excitement amongst the colonists in favour of the accused, and the confident tone in which they predicted his acquittal. During the address of the Procureur du Roi, the manifestations of dissatisfaction by the colonists present were frequent and indecorous; but the President having declared that he would see that the tribunal should be respected, they subsided. All the leading facts were, as we have stated, proved in evidence, and it was also proved that there was no ground

for supposing that any cattle had been poisoned by the natives, there being at the time a contagious malady raging, which carried them off; nor was there the slightest ground for supposing that the wife of the accused had been poisoned. Amongst the witnesses called for the prosecution was Lucile, who gave an account of her sufferings, and stated that another female slave had been so inhumanly flogged upon as absurd charge as that for which she herself was confined, that she died a few days afterwards. The cure of the commune stated that he had written a letter to M. Douillard, entreating him to release his slave, but that he had refused to do so. On being reproached by the President of the tribunal for not making further efforts in the cause of humanity, the curé replied that he did not feel that he had a right to interpose between master and slave. The mayor of .the commune, who was called as a witness, admitted that he had been requested to interfere, but that he had not done so, as he considered that masters had a right to punish their slaves who offended, and he entered into long details about his own losses of cattle, which he also attributed to poison. The accused was defended by M. Grandprè, and the trial which lasted several days, terminated with a verdict of acquittal. As soon as the verdict was pronounced, the colonists who were in the court rushed to M. Grandpré and shook hands with him with great warmth, and then conducted M. Douillard out of court in triumph. Almost immediately afterwards M. Douillard got into his cabriolet and drove through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, followed by his friends, amongst whom was the Vice-President of the Colonial Council.When the crowd arrived opposite to the house of the advocate of M. Douillard, they set up deafening shouts of " Vive Grandprè!”

1st. Rain-The quantity of floating ice in the River so far lessened as to permit of detained vessels proceeding on their course.

2d. Frost-Thermometer at six o'clock, p. m. at 30 deg.; two below the freezing point. During the night a strong breeze, accompanied by heavy showers of rain, hail, and snow.

3d. Sunday-Between 5 and 6 o'clock (a.m.) occurred one of the most awful and terrific storms of thunder and lightning ever remembered at this season of the year, the effects of which were most severely felt over the counties of Berks, Bucks, Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex. In the evening the thermometer fell to 30 and at midnight to 25 deg.

4th. In the morning, thermometer 21 deg. (11 below the freezing point.) At ten o'clock heavy now-towards evening symptoms of a thaw.

In the forenoon, when about 2000 persons

were on the Serpentine, three loud reports, as of a tremendous explosion, were heard in the direction of the bridge dividing Hyde Park from Kensington Gardens. It was at first supposed that the magazine close to the bridge had been blown up, but the reports were found to have been occasioned by the blowing up, not of powder, but of the ice under the bridge, occasioned by the foul air generated beneath it. The ice in those places immediately sank.

6th. At 6 o'clock in the evening, the thermometer stood at 20 deg., and at midnight fell to 18. The police stated that the cold was so intense as to affect their respiration and induce so great a desire to sleep that nothing but a sense of duty and the fear of being frozen to death prevented their so doing.

7th. The thermometer at 10 deg. ; upwards of 22 below the freezing point. Wind E. N. E.

Up to 12 o'clock at noon a thick fog surrounded the Metropolis, and so slippery were the roads that many Omnibus proprietors kept their vehicles at home. The number of skaters on the Serpentine was estimated at from 14 to 16,000. A flight of sky-larks passed over Hyde Park.

In Kensington Gardens occurred a singular proof of the severity of the weather-a magpie was observed hovering over a spot on which a starling was picking up a few crumbs thrown to it by a spectator, when suddenly it flew down, a-la-Hawk, and seizing the starling in its feet rose with it into the air for about 30 yards and then let it fall to the ground alive, but considerably injured: the magpie never becomes carnivorous while other food is to be obtained. Thermometer at night 9 deg., 23 below freezing point. (This night was the coldest experienced since that of Murphy's lowest degree of winter temperature, 1837-8.)

8th.-Frost still intense; ice on the Serpentine about 7 inches thick, skaters numerous. The tide brought a large quantity of ice up the river, doing much damage to the craft. The dock entrances open, but business on the river nearly suspended.

9th.-State of the river most dangerous, the lower pool being crowded with immense masses of floating ice; watermen crossing with danger; only one steamer managed to cut its way through. The river Medway completely frozen over. No Gravesend steamers would venture on the voyage to London, in consequence of which the omnibus drivers demanded exorbitant fares.

10th.-Sunday: thaw, succeeded by slight frost and snow during the night.

11th.-Roads and paths round the Metropolis coated with ice and very dangerous; thermometer 30.

12th. Was held a half yearly meeting of the Humane Society: 31 persons reported as rescued in the parks during the present frost. The swans on the river only preserved from perishing by persons being employed to collect, house, and feed them. In the country heavy falls of

snow.

14th.-Rapid thaw, attended by floods in various parts of the country.

17th.—Fearful inundation at Brentford,caused by the bursting of the Grand Junction Canal; also in Wiltshire, both attended with loss of life and property.

18th. Continued thaw. Floods in all the low lands. The Great Western Railway much injured, the rails for nearly two miles being covered with water, and a large portion of the embankment destroyed. A tract of six miles near Epping Forest was one vast sheet of water, on which horses and cows were seen swimming

about in all directions.

FEBRUARY.

1st. At six o'clock in the morning the thermometer stood as low as 20 deg., (12 below freezing point), with a strong wind from the N.E., the thickness of ice formed during the night being upwards of two-thirds of an inch. In the forenoon the mercury rose considerably, and at 12 o'clock stood at 30 deg. Slight falls of snow during the morning, which in the afternoon grew into storms by which the thickly falling flakes were violently driven by a piercing wind, amounting almost to a hurricane. At 4 o'clock the clouds cleared off, and the mercury fell to 25 deg.

3d. The frost returned with almost as much severity as ever, so that with an interval of only a few days it has continued for nearly two months. At 6 o'clock p.m., the thermometer at the receiving-house in Hyde Park stood at 17 deg., and at midnight sunk to 12; (20 below freezing point.)

4th.-Thermometer ranging from 20 to 26 deg. Parks crowded, notwithstanding the presence of a cutting N.E. wind. In Kensington Gardens the ice on the ground was thin and dangerous, but on the long water the skating was excellent. On the Serpentine most dangerous, not being more than two inches thick, in spite of which there were from 8,000 to 9,000 skaters. A gentleman fell on his face with great force on the ice whilst being conveyed to the Receiving house in a state of insensibility, an attempt was made to empty his pockets and abstract his gold watch. Under the care of Dr. Woolley he sufficiently recovered to proceed home in a carriage. In the Regent's Park also, the ice was dangerous. Several persons were rescued from drowning by means of hand lines.

6th.-Frost still intense.

9th. In the evening at 6 o'clock, mercury at 26 deg., at midnight, 24.

The

10th. At six o'clock, a.m., thermometer at 27 deg., soon afterwards the wind veered nearly to the South, and by 12 o'clock at noon the mercury rose to 32 deg. (freezing point;) in the evening sunk to 28 with every appearance of sharp frost. On the Serpentine, and in Saint James' Park the skaters were numerous. banks of the river above the bridges were also crowded by persons looking at the immense icebergs locked up in various parts of the Thames, on the narrower parts of which some persons ventured to walk across the lately rolling stream. 11th.-Frost broke up.

Subsequently to this period both in town and country, there were dense fogs, fine sunny days, much rain, much boisterous sharp cutting winds. weather, and a great deal of rain with keen

The Jersey Paper gives the following flowery picture of the island during the late inclement season; and we marvel not at the inclination of the inhabitants far and near to demand copies when all nature was robed in snow, and not a flower or green thing was elsewhere to be seen.

"The frost which now prevails in Jersey is, in all probability, the severest with which this island has ever been visited; and as there is

at present no indication of a change of wind, we very much apprehend it will continue for some days longer; the consequences of which must be injurious and disagreeable to all, but actually disastrous to the poor and the laboring classes. The frequent showers of sleet and rain which succeeded the late heavy fall of snow, and the continued action of intense frost have enveloped all inanimate objects with a thick coating of transparent and almost impenetrable ice, which gives to the whole creation, the sea excepted, the appearance of glittering crystal, extremely curious and beautiful. Every vestige of vegetation has disappeared, and over the whole face of the country, life seems to be altogether extinct. Immense fields of ice and frozen snow extend in all directions; the leafless trees stand out in bold relief against the dark grey sky, like beautiful fabrications of glass; stems, branches, twigs and buds being all enveloped in a thick coating of crystal, and bending gracefully with the uncommon weight; walls have the appearance of being richly varnished; and iron railings seem transmuted into some beautiful transparent metal, no inappropriate decoration for some fairy city of romance. A deep bed of ice covers the roads in all directions, so dangerous to travellers as almost to suspend communication between town and country altogether; and all who have a prudent regard for the integrity of their limbs stick as close to their houses as their wants or necessities will admit of. The harbour presents a picturesque and interesting sight. Labor and business are at a stand and the ships, deserted by their crews, look as if transformed by the wand of an enchanter into so many ornaments of glass; masts, yards, rigging and ropes, glistening in all their beautiful variety against the sky, and exciting our apprehension that things so bright, but apparently so brittle, may shiver in a moment to atoms beneath the wintry blast that shakes their crystal honors. The sky is gloomy and cheerless, and does not offer a single vestige of a sun-beam; as if creation was altogether deserted by the luminary, whose place is supplied by a sickly glare that gives neither light nor heat; while the few perishing birds that flutter about in search of food are reduced to an unnatural state of tameness, and almost of torpidity, by the general severity of the weather.

EXPEDITION TO THE NIGER.The expedition to explore the Niger, under the direction of the African Association, which is on the point of leaving England, will be accompanied by Dr. Theodore Vogel, an eminent German botanist. His attention, together with that of his brother naturalists, will be especially directed not only to the collection of specimens of plants, but to the examination of the capabilities of the country as regards agricultural and horticultural objects, to the nature of its climate, and to various subjects connected with vegetable physiology.

THEATRES.

THEATRE ROYAL COVENT GARDEN. On Tuesday, (Feb. 9th,) a two act Comedy written by Mr. Jerrold, was produced at this Theatre. It is called the White Milliner, a title suggested by a story related by Walpole of the Duchess of Tyrconnel, who, dressed in white and wearing a white mask, used in this disguise to personate a milliner in the Western Exchange. In the play, however, the characters are all imaginary, and supposed to be living in the reign of Queen Anne. The pretty milliners of the Exchange, or "Bourse" as it was then called, were favorite objects of pursuit with the gallants of the day, and one of these, with the superadded attraction of mystery in the shape of a white mask, forms a good centre for an intriguing drama, depicting the manners of the last century more particularly connected with the peculiar thread of the story.

The White Milliner of the piece, betrothed to a proscribed Jacobite, is persecuted by a dissolute married nobleman, and a shallow Justice of the Peace, while her slender purse at the same time exposes her to the insults of the landlady, backed by a favorite male lodger. The principal parts were well supported by Madame Vestris (as the disguised lady), C. Matthews, Keeley, &c., the latter, in Saul Sneezum, converted from a starveling doctor's boy into the plump pet of the widow landlady, has admirable scope for his humorous powers. The dialogue of this clever little piece is well written and full of point, the scenery, dresses, &c., do great credit to the management, and the whole is well worthy the favorable reception with which it was welcomed.

DRURY-LANE.-The Concerts at this Theatre have been agreeably varied by the introduction of Madrigals very efficiently performed. Lighting and darkening the stage, imitations of the tramp of cavalry and various other contrivances have been adopted to heighten the effect of the music, and if not exactly fitted to the Concert-room, are exceedingly well managed. Jullien's quadrille from the Huguenots continues a favorite, and the unrivalled performance of Köenig on the cornetà-piston elicits deserved applause.

HAYMARKET.-Feb. 4th.-A farce called "The Good-for-Nothing," was produced at this Theatre. The hero (Mr. Pybus) played by Wrench "a good-for-nothing" by name, is continually suffering for the misdeeds of Mr. Clipper (Rees)" a good-for-nothing" by nature, and a lawyer's clerk by calling. This latter worthy breaks church windows with his gun, his wife's heart by desertion, and destroys another's property by unlawful appropriation of a bank-note, for which delinquencies, the unlucky Mr. Pybus, thanks to his evil star, stands chargeable, until Theaatrical justice is at length awarded by the

discovery of the real offender. The capabilities of the piece are sufficiently humorous to have been worked up into a better story, but such as it is, the farce of "The Goodfor-Nothing" was received with applauses mingled with disapprobation, by which conflict of opinion it was proved to be "Goodfor-Something."

THE ADELPHI.-A very good spectacle of diablerie called "Satanus; or, The Spirit of Beauty," was produced at this Theatre on the evening of the 11th of February. It is a paraphrase, by Mr. Coyne, on the Diable Amoureux, a successful piece at the Academie of Music at Paris. Mr. O. Smith and Mr. Wieland are excellent impersonations of the arch evil spirit, and his second, Mrs. Honey playing the part of their victim-a'condemned spirit, who is, however, finally preserved from their power by intelligencies of a more benign order. The comic spirit of the performance was well supported by Mrs. Keeley. The diversified scenery, embracing the abodes of bliss, the infernal regions, with various countries of the world we live in, was admirably managed, the gorgeous character of the dresses, and the splendor of the ensemble fully meriting the applause which it elicited.

APPALLING DISASTER AT SEA.-A most fatal collision attended with the loss of 122 lives occurred on the 20th Feb. off Holyhead -between the American packet ship Governor Fenning and the Nottingham" steamer. The captain of the former who, except the mate, was the only person on board saved, gives the following account of this dreadful catastrophe. "We sailed from Liverpool, en Friday last 19th Feb. at noon, with the wind S.S.W. The crew consisted of 17 and the passengers in the steerage of 106, with a full cargo of manufactured goods. On Saturday morning at two o'clock, the wind blowing fresh from the S.S.W., and when the ship was under double reefed top-sails, the jib, spanker, and mainsail in, we saw a steamer to windward on the lar-board bow. The ship's helm was instantly put hard-aport. The steamer crossed our bow and we struck her right amid ships. From the force of the collision it was evident that either the ship or the steamer would sink; perhaps both. Instantly I felt the ship, the bows of which were stove in, was sinking. I cried out to the crew, (all the passengers were bebelow) to endeavour to save the crew and passengers; but so rapid was the sinking of the ship, I found it impossible.-I and the mate then ran forward, and finding the ship fast sinking I tried to jump on to the steamer. Failing in my first attempt, through a momentary faintness, I made a second, and just as the ship was at the edge succeeded in rasping a rope which was by the steamer's ide. The mate saved his life by jumping from the fore-yard-arm on to the steamer's deck. In one minute the ship sank with 222

This

souls. The steamer's boat was instantly lowered for the purpose of making an attempt to save such as might be floating, but it unfortunately swamped alongside.' The following particulars are added by those who were on the deck of the Nottingham. When about 15 miles to the westward of Holyhead, the weather calm but rather thick, one of the men on the watch saw a ship bearing down upon the Nottingham. She had no light at her mast, while the steamer had three. He reported the fact to the second mate who was then at the wheel; the mate hailed the ship and was answered. He desired her to starboard the helm. they thought was not done. A voice from the ship (supposed the Captain's) requested the steamer to starboard her helm. At this instant, the "Governor Fenner" struck the Nottingham amid ships. In less than 5 minutes she filled with water and disappeared. The steamer became quite motionless, after the shock, the people on board her could not make the least attempt to succour those on board the ship which sunk bow foremost. The cries of the people of the wreck were heart-rending, but they soon ceased, and all was still. The steamer's starboard side was completely stove in, the paddle, shaft and wheel shivered to pieces; the starboard engine broken and funnel carried away; 17 cows were killed; 7 beasts and 78 sheep thrown overboard, and 11 died before the vessel reached the port-on the same evening the wreck of the Nottingham was fallen in with by another steamer, towed into the Mersey-and now lies in the Clarence dock, an object of curiosity to thousands of spectators. When the collision took place, the passengers of the "Gov. Farming" were all below in their berths, but must have been aroused by the shock, So short however was the interval between the collision and the singing, that, though all probably rushed towards the deck, few, if any, could have reached it. The mate when he found the ship's destruction inevitable, attempted by running aft to rescue his wife, to whom he had been married but a few daysunable however to affect his object, he saved himself in the manner related by the captain The crew of the Nottingham are of opinion that the steamers helm instead of being put to starboard must have been put to port, and to this error attribute the collision."

REGISTRATION OF THE BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL-The Act of Parliament for the registration of births applies to all the members of the Royal Family, no less than to the community. The birth of the Princess Royal was duly entered in the books of the parish of St. George, Hanover Square, on the 22d December, by the registrar of births for the Belgrave district, who attended at Buckingham Palace for the purpose.

FEB. 1.-Viscount Melbourne returned to town from a visit to her Majesty at Claremont. H. R. H. Prince George of Cambridge arrived in town from a visit to her Majesty the Queen Dowager, at Sudbury-hall.

2.-H.R.H. Prince Albert spent the forenoon in shooting in Claremont Park.

H. R. H. the Duchess of Kent dined with H. R. H. the Duchess of Gloucester.

3.-Her Majesty and H.R.H. Prince Albert, with the Princess Royal, returned to town from Claremont, at 2 o'clock. The Queen held a Court for the reception of addresses of congratulation on the birth of a Princess, from the City of London. Similar addresses were also presented to H.R.H. Prince Albert, and H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent.

4.-The Queen held a Court at Buckingham Palace for the reception of addresses from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The deputations had afterwards audience of his H. R.H. Prince Albert, to whom they also presented congratulations.

5.—The Queen held a privy council, at which it was ordered that the name of H.R.H. Prince Albert should be inserted in the Liturgy.

Her Majesty pricked the list of Sheriffs for the counties of England and Wales, during the present year.

The Queen and H.R. H. Prince Albert honored Covent Garden with their presence.

6.-Her Majesty the Queen Dowager arrived at Marlborough-house with her suite, from Sudbury-hall. Her Majesty and H. R. H. Prince Albert sent to enquire after the health of his Grace the Duke of Wellington.

7. (Sunday.)-The Queen and H. R. H. Prince Albert attended divine service in the Chapel Royal, St. James'. On leaving the Chapel, her Majesty and H.R.H. Prince Albert visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager.

H.

8. His Majesty the King of the Belgians arrived at Claremont from the Continent. R.H. the Duchess of Kent visited her Majesty. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager and H.R.H. the Duchess of Kent sent to enquire after the health of the Duke of Wellington.

9. His Majesty the King of the Belgians arrived at Buckingham Palace from Claremont, on a visit to the Queen.

10. The ceremony of christening H. R. H. the Princess Royal took place this day, at Buckingham Palace. The guests honored with invitations for the state banquet to celebrate this

important and interesting event were invited for half-past six o'clock. All the company appeared in full court-dress. The Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Albert entered the green drawing-room at an early hour; a few minutes after the arrival of the Queen Dowager, her Majesty and the entire party proceeded to the throneroom, which had been prepared in the greatest splendor for the christening. The throne had been removed, and an altar erected in its place within the alcove, the front and sides hung with crimson velvet richly ornamented with gold lace. The back of the altar was decorated in the same splendid style, having the initials I.H.S. in the centre, embroidered in gold enriched with deep rays. The back was finished with a carved gilt bower forming an elliptic arch. The gold communion plate from the Chapel Royal, St. James', was arranged on the altar, a large gold salver being placed in the centre, with a fine representation in alto relievo of" The Last Supper." The font, very elegant in form and exquisitely finished, was placed a short distance from, and in front of the altar. It is silver-gilt, the body is of the shape of a water lilly, and supports a large shell, the rim of which has on the inside smaller water lilies apparently floating on the edge. The base, divided into three compartments, bears on one side the arms of the Princess Royal in a lozenge, surmounted by her Royal Highness's coronet; the others, the arms of her Majesty and Prince Albert; over the coats of arms are cherubs executed in full relief. The font was placed on a handsome circular marble table having the royal arms executed in mosaic at the top. The table itself stood on a small raised platform placed on a large carpet of crimson velvet embroidered and bordered with gold. Candelabra on gilt pedestals were on either side the altar, and within the alcove two cut glass chandeliers, another chandelier of the largest size being hung in the middle of the room, and candelabra on pedestals richly carved and gilt, lined the sides of the apartment. The seats for the company were of crimson satin, damask, and gold.

The water contained in the font was brought from the River Jordan. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury performed the ceremony of christening the Princess Royal, assisted by the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of London and Norwich, and the Dean of Carlisle. The Queen and H.R.H. Prince Albert, were on the left of his Grace. Her Majesty was dressed in