12 MARCH 1831, Page 13

• THE KING AND THE BILL. — When the plan of the

Ministers was first communicated to the King at Brighton, the large reform which it included staggered the King greatly ; but afterwards, on considering the measure, his Majesty signified his entire assent. This was done in a letter extending to seventeen pages, which was, we understand, one of the most able state papers that have been lately produced.—Briyhion Gazelle.—[Part of this statement only is true. The King was not staggered, as our contemporary asserts, His Majesty certainly went through the Reform Bill, and made many notes upon it, which were embodied in an able letter to Earl Grey ; but the suggestions made by his Majesty were with a view to prevent the possibility of reasonable objection as to the details of the Bill, and not from any surprise or dis- satisfaction in his Majesty with respect to its principle. It is quite true that the King's letter is an able state paper ; and it may be referred to triumphantly in refutation of the opinion of one of the honourable mem- bers for Boroughbridge, who seems to imagine that a King cannot be a man of sense as well as others of his fellow-creatures.—Courier.] Co RPORATION ROJ3BERY.—The corporation of Canterbury have petitioned Parliament in favour of the Bill, which, according to Sir Charles Wetherell, is to rob them of their rights. The petition was presented to the House on Thursday, by Mr. Watson. This is the way to cure the " film."

CAMBRIDGE AND LONDON UNIvEasirms.—Cambridge has deter- mined to petition the King not to grant a right to confer any academical distinctions, designated by the same titles or accompanied with the same privileges, as the degrees now conferred by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. THE SPEAKER'S LEvEEs.—The Speaker's last Parliamentary levee, for the present session, takes place to-day.

Lumeseaztosr.—The parishioners of Lambeth, in honour of tile Bill which bestows a couple of members on them, had a brilliant illumi- nation on Thursday night.

CAPTAIN BATHURST AND LORD VISCOUNT STUART.—The Dublin papers mention the arrest of these gentlemen, for the purpose of pre- venting a hostile meeting, which it was apprehended must be the effect of a letter writen by Captain Bathurst to his Lordship. They were found with some difficulty, and bound over in 500/. each, and two secu- rities iu 1001. each.

CLAltE.—William Richard Mahon, the brother of O'Gorman Mahon, has already announced himself as a candidate for the representation of this county.

Ma. SIHEL.—This celebrated Irish orator has been returned for Milborne Port, instead of Mr. George Byng ; he took his seat on Tuesday. Milborne Port is under the influence of the Marquis of Anglesey.

AURORA BOREALIS.—On Monday night, at nine o'clock: a very beautiful aurora was visible at Worcester. It was at first of a crimson hue, but afterwards changed to a pale colour, with a long brilliant stream of light passing through it. THE THETIs.—When the Druid, which arrived at Portsmouth on Sunday, left Rio Janeiro, a diving-bell was preparing to be used at the wreck of the Thetis, to endeavour to save the specie; but from the very heavy swell that set in, there were but slight hopes of saving any part of it. The ship and stores were totally lost. The Druid has brought the officers and crew of the Thetis.

Mo NSTE as AT BATTERSEA.—A learned gentleman has discovered the Hydra of the ancients at Battersea. The reptile to which this formi- dable name has been applied, puts out heads as fast as did that which cost Hercules so much labour to overcome. Cut off one, and forthwith out spring a couple ; split him up the middle, and each half becomes a perfect hydra,of somewhat more lengthy proportions than his sire or mother. To -quiet the apprehensions of young ladies who may happen to pass from London to Richmond by the steam-boat, we must add, that there is not much danger of the Battersea Hydra swallowing the Monu- ment, even without the inscription—it is only an inch long.