Illisctliantous.

Last Tuesday's Gazette announces several appointments. The Queen has appointed a Commission to inquire into the constitution and govern- ment of the British Museum. The Commissioners are, the Earl of Elles- mere, the Bishop of Norwich, Lord Langdale, Lord Wrottesley, Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, Sir Charles Lemon, Sir Roderick Impey Mur- chison, Andrew Rutherfurd, Esq., Joseph Hume, Esq., Samuel Rogers, Esq., and Richard Monekton Milnes, Esq. Her Majesty has also appointed a Commission to inquire into the state and operation of the law of Marriage. The Commissioners are, the Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Honourable James Stuart Wortley, the Right Ho- nourable Sir Stephen Lnshington, D.C.L., the Right Honourable Anthony Richard Blake, Sir Edward Vaughan Williams, and Andrew Rutherfurd, Esq., Lord Advocate of Scotland.

The same Gazette sets forth the intended arrangements for extending episcopal control in Australia. The see of Australia is divided into four distinct dioceses, to be called the Bishoprics of Sydney, Newcastle, Ade- laide, and Melbourne. Dr. Broughton, heretofore Bishop of Australia, is henceforward to be Bishop of Sydney and Metropolitan Bishop in Austral- asia, subject to the general supervision of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The several Suffragan Bishops are Dr. W. Tyrrell, Bishop of Newcastle, Dr. A. Short, Bishop of Adelaide, and Dr. C. Perry, Bishop of Melbourne. Her Majesty has also constituted the Cape of Good Hope and its de- pendencies a Bishopric; and has conferred the see upon Dr. R. Gray, with the designation of the Bishop of Cape Town.

These Bishops, whose appointments have long been announced, were for- mally consecrated in Westminster Abbey, on Tuesday.

The Royal consideration has been extended to the widow and family of the lets Dr. Chalmers; to whom the Queen has granted a pension of 2001. a year. The announcement was made by Lord John Russell in the fol- lowing letter- " Madam—I have the satisfaction of informing you, that the Queen, taking into her consideration the piety, eloquence, and learning of the late Dr. Chalmers, has been pleased to command that a pension of 2001. a year should be settled upon

you and your daughters out of her Majesty's Civil-hat." Allow me to add, that I trust this act of the Queen may render the remainder of your life as tolerable as the loss of so eminent and excellent a partaer will permit,. "I have the honour to be, Madam, your obedient faithful servant, "J. Rossitu..'' The Edinburgh Witness publishes a posthumous essay on the subject of public education, by Dr. Chalmers, the last composition from his pen. " The paper originated," says the Witness, "in a conversation which took place in London on the National Education scheme, between the lamented deceased and the Honourable Fox Mettle; when the latter, struck by the

breadth and general applicability of the Doctor's views' urged him to com-

mit them to writing. Dr. Chalmers did so whilst at Whitfield, Glouces- tershire, on his way home; and the following valuable document—emi- nently practical in its nature, and suited, we should think, in a country such as Scotland, to unite the suffrages of the majority in all denominations —was the result. For our own part, we regard it as a legacy of sound, well-weighed advice to our church and country, to which both would do well to serve themselves heir." This document we subjoin entire. "It were the best state of things, that we had a Parliament sufficiently theo- logical to discriminate between the right and the wrong in religion, and to encourage or endow accordingly. But failing this, it seems to us the next best thing, that in any public measure for helping on the education of the people, Go- vernment should abstain from introducing the element of religion at all into their part of the scheme,. and this not because they held the matter to be insignificant

—the contrary might be strongly expressed in the preamble of their act—but on the ground that, in the present divided state of the Christian world, they would

take no cognizance of, just because they would attempt no control over the re- ligion of applicants for aid,—leaving this matter entire to the parties who had to do with the erection and management of the schools which they had been called upon to assist. A grant by the State upon this footing might be regarded as being appropriately and exclusively the expression of their value for a good secular education.

" The confinement for the time being of any Government measure for schools to this object, we hold to be an imputation not so much on the present state of

our Legislature as on the present state of the Christian world, now broken up into sects and parties innumerable, and seemingly incapable of any effort for so healing these wretched divisions as to present the rulers of our country with aught like such a clear and unequivocal majority in favour of what is good and true as might at once determine them to fix upon and to espouse it.

"It is this which has encompassed the Government with difficulties, from which we can see no other method of extrication than the one which we bate

ventured to suggest. And as there seems no reason why, because of these unre-

solved differences, a public measure for the health of all, for the recreation of all, for the economic advancement of all, should be held in abeyance, there seems

as little reason why, because of these differences, a public measure for raising the general intelligence of all should be held in abeyance. Let the men therefore of all churches and all denominations alike hail such a measure, whether as carried into effect by a good education in letters or in any of the sciences; and, meanwhile, in these very seminaries, let the education in religion which the Le- gislature abstains from providing for, be provided for as freely and amply as they will by those who have undertaken the charge of them. "We should hope, as the result of such a scheme, for a most wholesome rival- ship on the part of many in the gevat aim of rearing on the basis of their respec- tive systems a moral and Christian population, well taught in the principles of the gospel, along with being well taught in the lessons of ordinary scholarship. Although no attempt should be made to regulate or to enforce the lessons of re- ligion in the inner hall of legislation, this will not prevent but rather stimulate to a greater earnestness in the contest between truth and falsehood—between light and darkness—in the outer field of society; nor will the result of such a

contest in favour of what is right and good be at all the more unlikely, that the families of the land have been raised by the helping hand of the State to a higher platform than before, whether as respects their health, or their physical comfort, or their economic condition, or last of all, their place in the scale of intelligence and learning.

"Religion would under such a system be the immediate product not of legis- lation but of the Christian and philanthropic zeal which was obtained througout society at large. But it is well when what legislation does for the fulfilment of it object tends not to the impediment, but rather, we apprehend, to the furtherance, of those greater and higher objects which are in the contemplation of those whom) desires are chiefly set on the immortal wellbeing of man. "(hi the basis of these general views I have two remarks to offer regarding the Government scheme of Education.

"1. I should not require a certificate of satisfaction with the religious progress of the scholars from the managers of the schools in order to their receiving the

Government aid. Such a certificate from Unitarians or Catholics implies the direct sanction or countenance by Government to their respective creeds, and the responsibility, not of allowing, but, more than this, of requiring, that these shall be taught to the children who attend. A bare allowance is but a general tolera- tion; but a requirement involves in it all the mischief, and I would add, the guilt, of an indiscriminate endowment for truth and error.

"2. I would suffer parents or natural guardians to select what parts of the education they wanted for their children. I would not force arithmetic upon them if all they wanted was writing and reading; and as little would I force the Catechism, or any part of the religious instruction that was given in the school, if all they wanted was a secular education. That the managers in the Church of England schools shall have the power to impose their Catechism upon the children of Dissenters, and still more, to compel their attendance in church, I regard as among the worst parts of the scheme. The above observations it will be seen, meet any questions which might be put with regard to the applicability of the scheme in Scotland, or in regard to the use of the Douay version in Roman Catholic schools. "I cannot conclude without expressing my despair of any great or general good being effected in the way of Christianizing our population but through the

medium of a Government themselves Christian' and endowing the true religion, which I hold to be their imperative duty, not because it is the religion of the many, but because it is true.

"f he scheme on which I have now ventured to offer these few observations I should like to be adopted, not because it is absolutely the best, but only the beet in existing circumstances.

"The endowment of the Catholic religion by the State I should deprecate, as being ruinous to the country in all its interests. Still, I do not look for the general Christianity of the people but through the medium of the Christianitya

of

their rulers. This is a lesson taught historically in Scripture, by what we rat there of the influence which the personal character of the Jewish monarchs had on the moral and religions state of their subjects; it is taught experimentally, by the impotence, now fully established, of the Voluntary principle; and last, and most decisive of all, it is taught prophefical(y in the book of Revelation, when told that then willthe kingdoms of the earth:—(Basileiai, or governing powers)— become the kingdoms of our Lord Jesus Christ, or the governments of the earth beteme Christian governments. THOMAS CHALMERS."

At the East India House, on Wednesday Captain Eastwick was elected a Director, in the room of Major-General Robertson, deceased.

The Marquis of Londonderry met with a serious accident on Sunday afternoon : as he was riding past the house of his son, Lord Castlereagh, in Chesham Place his horse fell, and rolled over him. He was quickly extricated by a Policeman, and taken in: it was found that, though much bruised, his Lordship had sustained no fracture, and he was well enough to be removed to Holdernesse House the same night.

We understand, from authority on which we can rely, that the Dunford

rrertY near Midhurst, where the Honourable Member for Stockport M. Cobden] was born, and indeed which may be considered as his patri- Monial estate, has been purchased either by or for that gentleman.—Sessese Advertiser.

The Globe quotes a letter by Mr. C. R. Wold, a connexion of Sir John Franklin, who avers that all the alarm which has been created respecting the Arctic adventurers is groundless- " Sir John," he says "was provisioned for the summer of 1848; and when he sailed no one contemplated hearing from him earlier than October or November 1847, unless some unforeseen accident should compel his earlier return. If he succeed in passing Behring's Straits at the end of August or in September or October 1847, we shall not learn his success earlier than January or February 1848. There is therefore, no cause as yet for flying to his rescue. His absence has not yet equalled that of Sir E. Parry on his second voyage; and there does not, in fact, exist at the present moment more reason for apprehension than there Was when the expedition sailed. The not having heard from Sir John is to be looked upon as more an earnest of success than of failure."

The continuance of the favourable weather, together with the very large importations of foreign grain and flour, combined to produce a remarkable Stagnation in the business at Mark Lane on Monday. Scarcely 1,000 quarters changed hands; and the arrivals of home-grown wheat, though exceedingly limited, were still more than sufficient to meet the demand. In order to effect sales, therefore, the dealers were obliged to submit to a seduction in price of from eis. to 8s., and in some few cases even to 10s. A further reduction took place on Wednesday. The arrivals have been ex- ceedingly large at Liverpool; and on Tuesday it was found impossible to make any progress in sales, even at very reduced rates.

Private letters from New York show the correctness of the estimates put forward last November as to the amount of export to this country. It is anticipated that 7,000,000 bushels of wheat will come in between the 1st of May and the 1st of September. Should there be a fine season in America, the surplus next winter will be enormous. Although some per- sons entertained doubts whether the Western States would not find that they had parted too freely with their produce, yet the rapid succession of arrivals exhibited no indioation of a check; indeed, the Erie Canal and its avenues were crowded to their utmost capacity.

Mr. William Chambers of Edinburgh, writing from Dusseldorf, makes the following satisfactory report of the crops in Germany- " After having made a pretty extensive tour through Prussia, Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Upper and Lower Austria, Bohemia, Saxony, Hanover, and some lesser

states in Germany, also Belgium I am glad to say that everywhere the crops look remarkably well, and hold out the promise of a good or at least an average har- vest- In Bohemia I saw more extensive tracts of ground under potato crop than elsewhere; the plants seemed strong and healthy; and I was informed that, on examination, nothing like taint had been discovered in the young tubers. In Hanover, and the part of Prussia where I now am, the crops of barley are heavier than I have seen them in any other quarter of Germany. Rye is universally ripening, and in souse places will soon come under the sickle. All speak of the great show of fruit: for the last three weeks cherries and strawberries have been offered for sale in all the Omni we have passed through."

The Correspondent de Nuremberg states that some speculators having attempted, by fraudulent manceuvres, to run up the price of grain in the Munich market of June 20th, the police had obtained information of the roguery, and the grain belonging to the operators had been confiscated.

The faubourg of St. Germain has been thrown into consternation by the resolve of the young and beautiful Princess La Tremouille to appear on the stage! Every effort has been used to dissuade her, but in vain: she persists in her deter- mination to make a debt at the Theatre Francais in one of Rachel's parts on the day that she becomes of age; and if through the influence of her family, the doors of the Francais should be closed against her, she has declared her intention of appearing at the French Theatre in London or St. Petersburg.—Brighton Gazette.

The exhibition of Winterhalter's pictures of the Queen and Royal Family at Bt. James's Palace closed on Wednesday. Upwards of 100,000 persons viewed them. On Tuesday there attended 7,000, and on Wednesday more than 10,000 people.—Globe.

A treasure has just come to light in Woolwich Arsenal. Some workmen were moving boxes which had remained in the stores since they were sent home from the Continent after the battle of Waterloo: one was very heavy; it was opened; and within were found four smaller boxes filled with doubloons of gold, to the value of 3,2001.

An extraordinary scene occurred at Vauxhall Gardens on Tuesday evening, on the occasion of a visit paid by the Basjemans, the exhibiters at the Egyptian Hall. On entering the gardens, the savages appeared spell-bound; every muscle seeming to be collapsed, while they stood shading their eyes with their hands at the brilliant light The first astonishment over, the party simultaneously ut- tered one loud continuous yell. They were less actively moved by the succeed- ing entertainments, though even then they seemed scarcely able to breathe with wonder. It was reserved for the fireworks to produce the crowning effect. The savages had been taken into the area to keep them free from the crowd which pressed upon them; the ascent of the first rocket appeared to fill them with de- light; as the plot thickened, they became violently excited; to excitement suc- ceeded fear, for at the grand final explosion they shrieked, buried their faces in

i the earth, and shook n agony, until they seemed almost mad. It took some time to recover their equanimity.

The New Orleans correspondent of the Morning Chronicle mentions an inquiry in the mouth of every one meeting a friend, "Have you seen Santa Anna's cork leg ?" "You are doubtless aware that we have that trophy—taken from Santa Anna's carriage at Cerro Gordo, now in New Orleans."

Mr. Feargus O'Connor has purchased the estate of the late Mr John Walker, at Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire; which was sold by auction. The property con- sisted of 300 acres, and was knocked down for 9,0001. It is said that it is to constitute another of Mr. O'Connor's "happy homes for the industrious." There was found dead lately on the banks of Palganny, alias the Water of Badenock, near Drumlanford House, a heron, the stomach of which contained thirty-nine fine burn trouts.—Ayr Advertiser.

A female elephant, which had long amused visitors to the Surrey Zoological Gardens, had just died, from disease of the langs. The proprietor recently suffered another heavy loss, that of a valuable lion.

One Roahaud has been convicted at Paris of uttering falsified shares of the Paris and Strasburg Railway. A person named Beaume was very clever at al- tering the numbers on shares, putting a higher value on them; these Rouhaud disposed of, defrauding various persons to the extent of 80,000 francs. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, a Sae of 100 francs, and to be exposed in the pillory. A murder of an unusual kind, with other violences, has been committed at the village of Barrhead. A party of labourers employed in the construction of a rail- way marched at night through the streets of the village, beaded by one M'Leay, an Irishman, who was tipsy and noisy, and insulting in his behaviour to the in- habitants: suddenly, some one rushed through the mob and stabbed htLeay to the heart. Several other persons were stabbed—busied in the turmoil; a villager who had come to his door to inquire what was the matter, and a labourer who was returning home from his work. It is suspected that these crimes were com- mitted by two men; but the motive does not appear; and the men escaped.

In April, the Carrick brig left Sligo for Quebec, carrying two hundred emigrants. In the St. Lawrence, on the 19th of May, a heavy gale was encountered; and during the night the vessel was driven upon a dangerous shoal, about sixty miles Eastward of Cape Rosaree. In the course of two hours she went to pieces. Of the emigrants, 170 perished; the remainder, with all the crew except a boy, saved themselves by clinging to the spars and boats.

Two other emigrant-ships have been lost. The Imogen was wrecked near the island of Scatterie, on the 20th of May, by running ashore during a thick fog: the emigrants (175 in number) and the crew effi3cted a safe landing. The Zenobia was lost off Nanadian; she had 300 passengers, but all were saved.

The ship Loostank, from Liverpool, bound to Quebec, with 350 passengers, out forty-nine days, pat into Miramichi in distress; 117 of the passengers having died on the passage, and the crew not able to work.

A Nova Scotian paper reports the wreck of the ship Miracle, bound from Liverpool to Quebec, upon the Magdalen Islands. There were 408 passengers on board; sixty-four were drowned, by the swamping of two boats; thirty had died of fever daring the voyage.

Number of Spring deaths. average.

Zymotic (or Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagions) Diseases sos .. .154 Dropsy, Cancer, and other diseases of uncertain or variable scat 98 99 Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses . 135 ... 158 Diseases of the Lungs, and of the other Organs of Respiration 263 275 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 32 29 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion 74 70

Diseases of the Kidneys, dm 15 s

Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, &c. 15 10 Rheumatism, diseases of the Bones. Joints, fix. IS 8

Diseases of the Skin, Cellular Tisane, &c s 2 Old age ss 57

Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 35 28 — — Total (including unspecified causes) 92t 914

The temperature of the thermometer ranged from 92.00 in the sun to 34.50 in the shade; the mean temperature by day being colder than the average mean temperature by 2.70. The mean direction of the wind for the week was South- south-west. Results of the Registrar-General's return of mortality in the Metropolis forth. week ending on Saturday last.—