4 APRIL 1829, Page 4

THE COURT.-Lord Eldon had an interview with the King on

Saturday, which lasted about four hours. The Duke of Wellington went to Windsor on Monday afternoon, and the Duke of Cumberland on Tuesday morning. Lords O'Neil and Lorton had separate audiences yesterday. A communication took place on Tuesday, from the Duke of Wellington to the Duke of Newcastle : an attempt is made to attach some importance to the incident. His anti-Catholic Grace had entertained a project of going to Windsor, to present a petition or petitions to the King, at the head of a pro- cession of carriages and pedestrians. Such a thing might have been thought imposing ; but the scheme was blown up, by his Majesty's signifying his plOusuie that the petitions should be transmitted through the Home Secretary ! Mortifying enough ! and this determination of his Majesty formed the subject of the communication from the Duke of Wellington to the Duke of Newcastle.

The Duke of Cambridge has transmitted his proxy to the Duke of Welling- ton, in favour of the Catholic claims. The Duke of Cumberland intends leaving England as soon as the measure is passed. The illustrious Duke, it is reported means to reside entirely on the Continent, and not to return again to this country.-Morning Chronicle. The Times says that Mr. Stratford Canning retires from the duties of our ambassador at Constantinople, and is to be succeeded by Mr. Robert Gordon, brother of Lord Aberdeen. The Morning Chronicle observes that Mr. Gordon's mission is to be special, and does not imply the recall of Mr. Strat- ford Canning. It was last week mentioned that Baron O'Grady, of the Irish Exchequer, had been raised to the British Peerage. The Morning Chronicle throws some doubt upon the fact. His Lordship "has arrived in town ; but it is

said he has been called _away from the circuit, not to take a part in the business of the House of Lords, but to watch the bill for the regulation of the

office of Clerk of the Pleas, about which office it may be remembered he was engaged in a contest with the Government, not likely to recommend his pro- motion. He had nominated his son or brother to the Clerkship ; but a quo warrant° was brought, and the appointment avoided. The emoluments are enormous, and the office a perfect sinecure." Mr. Bankes, the unsuccessful candidate for Cambridge at the last general election, and son of the member for Dorset, was on Monday elected one of the representatives for the borough of Marlborough, in the room of Lord Brudenell, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. FASHIONABLE PARTIES.- On Sunday, the Dowager Marchioness of Hert- ford gave a dinner to the Duke of Cumberland. The Earl of Dudley enter- tained the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne at dinner. On Monday, the Countess of Sefton had a large evening party. On Tuesday, the Duchess of St. Albans t'.mve a grand ball. Time Dowager Viscountess Hampden gave a splendid ball and supper. On Wednesday, the Marquis of Anglesey enter-

tained the Duke of Norfolk and a distinguished party at dinner. Lord Car- rington had a grand dinner party. Lady Rivers gave a ball and supper. Mr.

Wilbra•nm Egerton had a dinner party. Prince Lieven ente. Mined the Duke and Duchess of G oucester and a large par y at dinner. The Dowager Mar- chioness of Salisbury had a grand aNsembly in the evening. On Thursday, the Dowager Countess of Clare had an evening party. The Countess of Arran had a select evening party. On Friday, the Duke of St Albans enter- tained a larg • party at dinner. The Hon. Mrs. Hope gave an evening party. The Morning herald remarks, that " not more than one party has been given this season, out of four given up to the same period last year."

The Duke of Northumberland dined with the Lord Mayor of Dublin on Saturday ; but only after having received an assurance that no political toasts should be given. Lord Winchilsea, or somebody for him, has contradicted the original report that he drove to the field of battle at Battersea in his coach and four : he went in a chariot and pair.

Lord Dudley, we hear, is upon' the eve of quitting England for a long Coatinental tour.

AGITATION IN HEREFoRDsturac.-The county of Hereford have had a meeting to petition the King to refuse his assent to the Roman Catholic Re_ lief Hill. Sir G. Cornwall, one of the late representatives of the county, de- fended the measure, and was supported by several other gentlemen. The Reverend Mr. Davies declaimed against the manner in which Anti-Catholic petitions were got up under the influence of the clergy. The meeting now got into confusion and uproar; and was dissolved by the High Sheriff, with- out coming to any decision.

Mr. Halcomb's projected Anti-Catholic meeting in Hyde Park has been given Up.

AN ABSENTEE TAX.-We understand that it is the intention of the Govern- ment, after the passing of the Roman Catholic Bill, to bring forward a mea. sure to compel half-pay officers, and other State pensioners, to reside in Eng. land, or to be subjected to a heavy tax.-Morning Herald. The intended improvements in Fleet-street, opposite St. Dunstan's Church, are to commence forthwith.

WINDSOR CASTLE.-It is said that the whole of the sum of 214,000/., which has been lately granted by a vote of the House of Commons for Windsor Castle, was not intended to be applied to the carrying on the works, but that a great portion of it is reserved to pay for the furniture and fitting-up of the King's state apartments.-Morning Chronicle.

CMMON COONCIL.--At a meeting On Tuesday, it was stated that Govern- ment had agreed to the continuance of the tax upon coals of 6d. per chaldron in addition to that of 4d. for a period of twenty-one years beyond the present • term, in order to meet the expenses of the approaches to London Bridge, which are estimated at nearly 1.000,000/. A resolution was passed directing the Select Committee of the Corporation to watch the proceedings of the Lords' Committee on the coal trade.

Scorns!" Hospersdr..-The anniversary dinner was held on Saturday, in the Freemason's Tavern. The Duke of Clarence presided, and was supported by the Earl of Darnley, Lord Saltoun, the Lord Chief Baron of Scotland, the Right Hon. Sir G. Murray, M.P., Sir M. Stewart. Bart., M.P., Sir Gabriel Wood, Hon. W. Fraser, Mr. Keith Douglas, M.P., Mr. William Dundas, M.P, and a number of other gentlemen. The royal Chairman presented the King's annual donation of 100/., and other subscriptions were received to the amount of 322/.

BISHOPSGATE NATIONAL SCII0OLS.-Sermons in behalf of this charity were preached on Sunday, in Bishopsopate church,-in the morning by the Bishop of Chichester, and in the evening by the Rev. E. Gray. The collection ex- ceeded 120/.

SMALL DEaroas.-The Earl of Romney presided at the Thatched-house at the annual meeting on Wednesday of time Craven-street Society for the Relief of Small Debtors. The Report stated, that 1,116 debtors were re- leased during the last nine months of the past year, at the average expense of 3/. 4s. 14d. each person. To this Society the late King gave a donation of 2000/. in the fiftieth year of his reign, to enable the unfortunate debtors to partake of the festivities of thejubilee.

Jews' Hoserrat.-The anniversary dinner was held on Wednesday, in the City of London Tavern,-Mr. Byng the member for Middlesex in the chair, in the absence of the Duke of Sussex. The subscriptions received in the room amounted to 6301.

CITY DISPENSARY.-The anniversary meeting was also held at the City of London Tavern, on the same evening,-the Lord Mayor in the Chair. The amount subscribed was pretty large.

DUTY ON WHEAT.-The import-duty is now 16s. 8d. ; which, taking into ac. count the present price of wheat on the Continent, amounts to a prohibition.

Poureouese Revues.-There remain at Plymouth, ready for instant embarkation, about four hundred Portuguese of different ranks, civil and military, who last winter formed part of the now dismembered national depot in that town. Vessels are said to be engaged to convey them from England to the Netherlands.

REPAIR OF YORK MINSTER.-The alTIOUnt Of Subscriptions received is stated in the York Herald of Saturday to be 38,5004 The London subscription exceeds 7000/. The Bishop of London gives 3001.; Mr. R. F. Wilson 2001.; and various gentlemen give 100/.