17 DECEMBER 1853, Page 9

The increased urgency of affairs in the East, coupled with

the new animation likely to be given to public affairs at the opening of the year by the Reform Bill movements in the Ministry, and the stimulus which a harsh winter always imparts to political ardour, is likely to bring the real a public" on the field. Perhaps the Newcastle meeting on Turkey, which we have already mentioned, may be regarded as foretokening a revival of action in the limbs of the body politic. The Newcastle meeting was remarkable for its genuine character. Of course the largest number, in an open political assemblage, was furnished by the most numerous class; but masters came as well as men,—for, by the by, there are no strikes in Newcastle. The middle class was fully represented, and probably this may be considered the first spontaneous middle-class meeting on the subject. It was got up by no extraneous impulse—not a stranger present—no Mr. Urquhart. No party was unrepresented- " Tories " came as well as Liberals. No notable was remarkable by his absence ; except Mr. Blacked, the Member, whose illness was already as well known as his sentiments. The interest which the gentlemen of the district took in the subject was shown by their number, and by the fact that they were at the trouble to come half an hour too soon to get seats. In short, it was really a local meeting, fully representing the place. This gives importance to the energetic character of the language adopted ; and for, as we are not aware that Newcastle is unlike the rest of the country, the meeting may be deemed a genuine expression of English feeling.

The Gazette 'of last night formally announces that the Queen has been pleased to appoint Major-General the Honourable Sir George Cathcart, IC.C.B., now serving as a Lieutenant-General at the Cape of Good Hope,) to be Adjutant-General to the Forces, vice Lieutenant-General Sir George Brown) K.C.13 resigned; with date of 12th December 1853.

DesPatches have been received at the Admiralty, and published in the -lournals of this morning, from the Behring's Straits division of the ships -LIM-search of Sir John Franklin. They have been forwarded by Captain ;Piederick of the Amphitrite; which on the 28th October was at St. Fran- 1n her return from Behring's Straits. The despatches include the 1,*11;ire o the doings of the Plover and the Rattlesnake among the ice. lkintilitt no tidings of Sir John Franklin. :i.aagnithe recommendation of Lord Aberdeen, the Queen has granted a Atelnainia of 100/. a year to Mr. Alarac A. Watts, "in consideration of the cadivicablie has rendered to literature."

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