4 JANUARY 1851, Page 14

The celebrated astronomer Schumacher died on the 28th December, at

Altona.

The Duke of Newcastle has relapsed into a state which "gives no hopes whatever of his recovery " ; the local papers state that tie family surgeon is of opinion that he "cannot possibly servive much longer."

Viscount Alford, M.P. for Bedfordshire, died on Thursday evening, at his seat, Ashridge Park, near Hemelhempstead. He had been in decli- ning health for the last two years ; and, with his wife, he had spent the winter of last year in Egypt ; but returned without any improved pros- pects of life.

John Hume Cust Alford was the eldest son of the Earl of Brownlow, by his first marriage, with Sophia, second daughter and coheir of the late Sir Abraham Hume, Bart., and Lady Amelia Egerton. He was born the 15th October 1812; and in 1841 married Lady Marianne Margaret Compton, eld- est daughter of the Marquis of Northampton ; by whom he leaves issue two sons, the eldest of whom is in his ninth year. The noble Viscount was Colonel of the North Lincoln Militia. He was first elected Member for Bedfordshire at the general election in 1836, in con- junction with Lord Charles Russell ; and he continued to represent that county in the House of Commons in the successive Parliaments of 1837, 1841, and 1847. His Lordship was a Conservative in politics, and a zealous supporter of Sir Robert Peel until the repeal of the Corn-laws. Since he came into possession of the Earl of Bridgewater's large property, on the death of the late Countess, Lord Alford displayed the warmest regard for the wel- fare of his tenantry, and expended a considerable sum in providing schools for the education of the children of the poorer classes. His Lordship was one of the principal knights at the celebrated tournament at Eglintoun Castle.

DEATH OF THE QTJARTERMASTER-OF.NERAL TO THE FCIROES.

It is our painful duty to state that the fears we entertained of this gal- lant officer's approaching dissolution have been too soon verified. Sir Willoughby Gordon died this morning, at a quarter before eight.— United Serriee Gazette, Jan. 4 ; second edition.