Alflistellaneous.

A Frankfort paper mentions a report, that Prince Albert will, on the occasion of the marriage ot the Grand Dutchess Olga, return the visit which the Em- peror of Russia paid to Queen Victoria, her Majesty being unable to do so in person.

The Sun states that Lord John Russell has requested his political supporters in the House of Commons to assemble at his house, Cheshain Place, today.

The King of lia...over completed yesterday his seventy-fifth year. The King of Saxony has conferred on Mr. Colquhoun the rank of Commander of the Civil Order of Merit of Saxony.

The Emperor of Russia's new yacht, building at East Cowes, is to be named the Queen Victoria.

A correspondent of the Times states that Sir Robert Peel is not to fill up the appointment of the Lord Chamberlainship, now vacant in consequence of the resignation of the Earl Delawarr; the reason being, the uncertainty which exists as to the duration of his Government A correspondent of the Morning . Herald _understands "that another meeting of Protectionist Peers is to be held in a few days."

Yesterday's Gazette announces the appointment of the Venerable Francis Lear, B.D., to the Deanery of Sarum Cathedral.. According to the Morning Post, opposition was given on Wednesday, for Corn- law reasons, to the reelection of the Duke of Bedford and Earl Fitzwilliam to offices in the Bedford Level Corporation. The Duke of Bedford, the Governor, escaped, by a majority of 24 to 12; bat Earl Fitzwilliam, a Conservator, was re- jected, by 22 to 14. We have learned that General Armstrong, the American Consul at Liverpool,— a distinguished officer in the American service, who had been second in command to General Jackson in the late war,—roseived letters of recall by the Cambria. The recall of General Armstrong is an indication of opinion, on the part of the United States Government, that the Mexican war may be a protracted one, and that the aid of an experienced commander is required.—Dubin Evening Post.

Prince Napoleon Louis Bonaparte, since his arrival in London, has addressed a letter, of which the following is a translation, to the French Ambassador- " London, May 20. 1840.

"M. le Comte—I come frankly to declare to the man who was the friend of my mo- ther, that in quitting my prison I have not been actuated by any idea of renewing against the French Govermnent a war which has been disastrous to me, but only to be enabled to go near my aged father.

"Previous to my taking this step, I made every effort to obtain front the French Go- vernment the permission to go to Florence, and I offered every guarantee consistent with my honour; but, ending that all my applications had proved unsuccessful, I determined to have recourse to the last expedient, which the Due de Nemours and the Due de Guise adopted in similar circumstances under Henry the Fourth.

"I beg, Monsieur Is Comte, that you will inform :the prowl Government of my peaceable intentions; and I hope that such a spontaneous assurance on my part will shorten the captivity of my friends, who still remain in prison. "NAPOLEON LOUTS BONAPARTE. "TO Monsieur Is Comte de Ste. Anlahe."

The library of the late Mr. Beckford is to be removed, together with some of his choicest paintings, to Hamilton Palace. The Duke of Hamilton has com- menced for their reception a spacious and elegant library, forming in itself a sepa- rate feature- but there will be a continuous range from the present long state- gallery, through the Old state-apartments, to the new Beckfordean Library and Tribtme.—Bath Journal.

George Clarke, a pedestrian, has succeeded in walking 1,500 miles in 1,000 successive hours, at Norwich.

Mr. Peter Purcell, the extensive mail-coach proprietor, and originator of the Royal Agricultural Improvement Society, died last week, at Dublin. Mr. Purcell is reported to have left property worth 170,0001.

Donizetti, the composer, is now in a private asylum for the insane, near Paris.

A warrant has teen issued by the Secretary-at-War authorizing the enlistment of men for limited periods of service.

Eighty-three gentlemen have entered the Army during the preceding month; thirty-four of whom have purchased their commissions at prices varying from 1,260/. to 450/. each, and amounting in the aggregate to no less a sum thee 21,9401.—Globe.

A circular, dated the 23d May, has been _issued from the War Office to Colonels of Militia, regulating the manner in which applications for pensions to discharged sergeants are to he made. Sergeants who have served uninterruptedly twenty years as non-commissioned officers, and shall be certified on their discharges to be sixty. years of age and upwards, will not be required to appear personally before the Commissioners of Chelsea Hospital. Those who have not served that period, or are under the age of sixty, must appear personally before the Commissioners.

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By the Gladiator, which arrived at the Cove of Cork on Sunday morn- ing, the Times received reports of the various evolutions performed by the experimental squadron up to the 28th of May. The details are too pro- fessional to be generally appreciated; but the business allotted to each day, and some of the more prominent results, may be specified with interest to many of our readers.

Since leaving Portsmouth, the rendezvonoof the squadron had never been made known by signal; but each captain or commander had it in a sealed letter, which letter was not to be opened except in the event of parting company. If it be said, however, that the cruising-ground was between the latitude 48° and 490 N. and longitede 9° and 10° W., it will be enough. Trial No. 1, May 15—" Trial of sailing with the wind abaft." At 11 h. 30 m, wind E. by S.; force of wind from 3 to 2, with a slight swell from the Eastward.; the signal was made to try rate of sailing, and the course to be steered was W. half N. At 1 o'clock the wind veered to due East. The trial terminated with the ships in the following order—Vanguard, Superb, Albion, Queen, Rodney, St. Vincent, Trafalgar. The trial of sailing was very uninteresting, except that the Rattler was decidedly the best of the steam-vessels.

No. 2, May 16,—" Trial of sailing on a wind." At 2 p. m. the lee division— namely, Queen Rodney, and Superb—started. At 4 h. 30 m., Rodney being ap- parently the best ship, was ordered to tack, with a view of ascertaining if she could cross Queen's bows; Superb being unquestionably at the time the windward ship. Rodney, however, failed to do so; and the recall was then made. All the steamers except Rattler were found missing today, as was also the Brilliant.

No. 3, May 17.—Today being Sunday, the squadron was ordered to keep sta- tion and make and shorten sail as necessary to do so. This proved an excellent mode of ascertaining what one-ship 'could " spare " another. Rattler did re- raarkably well under sail. The other steamers in company—namely Gladiator, Retribution' and Scourge (the latter three having rejoined)---did but little; and if they had been under steam would have done less, for the screws of the one and the paddle-wheels of the other would have been half the time out of water. In short, with the exception of Rattler, whose sailing qualities appear to have been much improved, the steamers have done nothing under sail, and have retarded the progress of the squadron considerably since leaving Portsmouth. If bound to an enemy's coast, the sailing-ships, in weather like today, Would have had to wait for them; and if they had been under steam on their arrival there, they would have been useless for want of coals. Terrible, Cyclops, and Brilliant, still keep out of sight; so their sailing qualities as yet remain untried.

No. 4, May 18.—The manomivering consisted of forming the line of battle.

No. 5, May 19.—" Trial of sailing on a wind." At 10h. 30in. Rodney, Van- guard, Superb, and Albion, having previously run down to leeward between six and seven miles, hauled to the wind, per signal.' The wind steady from S. W. by W.-' the St. Vincent under easy sail heading N. W. by W.; the force of wind was foll7, with a short bead-sea; and the sail carried at starting was single-reefed 'topsails, fore and main topgallant sails, jib, and spanker—a press of sail which on no other occasion has been carried. Scarcely had they started when Albion split her maintopsail; shortly afterwards Superb's main tack went, followed quickly by her maintopsail sheets and jib and spanker. The race was thus left to Rodney and Vanguard, and a More interesting one has never taken place. First, the ships were well matched; next, the sail carried was excessive; and lastly, both ships were handled beautifully. The Times correspondent gives the race to the Rod- ney. The Rattler, was the only one of the steamers in company; and she keeping her station admirably, and otherwise doing well.

No. 6, May 20.—Some observations were made today on the motion of the dif- ferent ships in heavy weather. The result is, that Albion rolled five times to Trafalger's once, and rolled her main channels under, taking the sea in on her

quarter-deck; in short, it was frightful to look at her. Superb rolled her main- deck ports in, and filled her ward-room from the officers" cabins. Vanguard rolled-heavily, but not so much as Albion or Rodney, Queen was best of the

Symonites. St. Vincent rolled 27°-to starboard and 20° to port; was very easy, but shipped a good deal of water on her lower deck, from the newfangled way of

securing the ports with screws, instead of the old port-bar and forelock. Ro&ey behaved well; and, take her in every respect, is the best two-deck ship among II& Queen was obliged occasionally to set her reefed foresail, to prevent her falling of so much to leeward. Rattler was the only one of the steamers with us, anti making very good weather.

No. 7, May 2L—Nothing calling for notice occurred.

No. 8, May 22.—The wind and sea having considerably abated, the St. Vincent fired her middle and lower deck guns from her stern-ports; the reason why she

did not exercise before being owing to the dangerous illness of one of the men, who is now convalescent. She lost a great part of her stern ornaments during the exercise; and her stern galleries were loosened and suffered proportionally. This cruise will be a most expensive one to the Government, and an almost ruinous one to the officers' messes by reason of the many breakages. Gladiator and Scourge rejoined the squadron this evening; Cyclops, Retribution, and Ter- rible being still missing. May 23,—No evolutions: the ships permitted to communicate with each other. No. 9, May 24.—The great feat of the day was Rattler beating Brilliant two miles to windward in four hours. It really was painful to see so noble-looking a corvette do so badly. Query, would either of the other steamers have done half as much? Every day proves more and more their inutility under sail alone. No. 10, May 25.—The squadron exercised at general quarters, firing blank cartridge.

No. 11, May 26.—" Trial of sailing on a wind," between Brilliant, Superb, and Rattler, steamers. Brilliant appeared to move without life: even her sails re- quired to be set by signal from the Commodore; and yet by diagram and by eye she held the first place. Superb was next.

No. 12, May 27.—Last night, at eleven o'clock, the unusual sound of " Lash up hammocks," followed by beating to quarters, was heard, and the night-signal to engage was hoisted at the mizen. Hammocks were up and stowed; stools, tables, &c., cleared away, and the first gun fired in ten minutes. Three rounds were fired; and in less than an hour from the first signal the ships had resumed their former appearance, hammocks were piped down, and at midnight the watch was called. The effect was very pretty: the night fine, a little swell from the Nortlivrard, and force of wind 3. 'the squadron was in the prescribed order of sailing, under double reefed-topsails, foresail, main trysail, and spanker. No ac- cident is reported; and taken altogether, it most be considered a very creditable performance. The Vanguard's firing was the best sustained. Trafalgar fined a running broadside admirably. Brilliant fired a broadside which told well; and the heavy guns of the steamers produced an involuntary shudder as their deep re- port caine booming along. - No. 12, May 28.—" Trial of sailing on a wind," between the Queen and the Albion. Albion was the winner.

On the general result of these experiments the Times has the following remarks-

" We publish a series of communications from the squadron of evolution, which form a most striking contrast to the observations we had unfortunately occasion to make on the sluggish performances and inefficient command of the trial- squadron last year. On the present occasion the whole arrangement of the cruise, the nature of the evolutions, the evident improvement in the ships' companies and the masterly handling of the vessels, have produced most interesting, satisfaCtory, and instructive results. The severe gale which blew in the Channel immediately after the squadron had left Spithead defeated one of the principal objects of this cruise, which was to try the powers of the large steamers under sail, and to put in practice some novel combinations of naval tactics produced by the union of first-class steamers of war with a squadron of line-of-battle ships.. But the acci- dental cause which frustrated this project and dispersed the pnnemal steam por- tion of the fleet has served to exhibit in a mosfstriking light the vast inferiority of our best steamers to ships of the line at sea, and the inconveniences attached to this whole class of vessels. With the exception of the Rattler, which is, we believe, fitted at this time with Wooderoft's screw propeller, and which distin- guished herself on all occasions, under sail as Well as steam, the large steamers have proved huge incumbrances to the fleet. The Terrible and Cyclops were missing; for they had, in fact; put back into Plymouth to refit after the first gale; the Retribution, though less shaken by the gale, parted company on the 17th of May ; and the Gladiator was the only steam- frigate that held on with the fleet; and upon her joining the signal was made to take off her paddle-floats. The Devastation had proceeded at once on a particular service. As an experimental steam-cruise, the failure is complete; but it is all the more instructive. We have never affected to undervalue the importance of steam-vessels as auxiliaries to a fleet, more especially in operations near land, or in rivers, &c.; but it is clear that very large steamers constructed on the present system are comparatively useless at sea. If this fleet had been ordered to proceed to the coast of America on a rapid hostile expedition, or if it had been engaged in one of those terrible chaces of an enemy's squadron which have so Often tried the whole patience and energy of our seamen, the preseece of the steamers would have defeated the object: they would have retarded the squad- ron,and perhaps proved useless for want of coals on their arrival at their destina- tion. The Rattler, indeed, the only screw-propelled steamer of the squadron, must be excepted from these observations; and the experiment is highly favourable to that ingenious mode of applying steam-power. But, generally speaking, the advan- tage has been in favour of the practical utility of small rather than of first-class steamers; and none of them have, as seagoing ships, the indispensable qualities of the man-of-war under canvass. This experiment has therefore greatly strength- ened the conviction we have repeatedly expressed, in opposition to the doctrines of the Prince de Joinville, who holds that steam-vessels are destined to supersede the ancient bulwarks of the navy."

"The squadron," continues the Times, "will probably reach the COTO of Cork about the 9th of June; where some experiments will be made in landing the ma-

rines of the squadion; the field-pieces, and a large party of seamen on Spike Is- land: and another similar demonstration is also projected on Whiddy Island, in Bantry Bey, whereahe shore is more difficult of access. As, however, it is in- tended very shortly te reassemble the whole squadron at Portsmouth, for several important reason*, these operations may possibly be postponed. We may hope that the evolutions of the combined steam-squadron and ships of the line will still be tried, as they may be applied with increased rather than diminished utility within reach of our coasts.

The Agincourt, East Indiaman, which arrived at Gravesend on Tuesday, brings accounts of the loss of the William Rathbone, another lndiaman, by tire, on the 8th May; in 82° North latitude and 36° West longitude, while the vessel was on her homeward voyage from Calcutta. The fire broke out in the hold among the cargo; but how it originated is not known. The crew used every means to save the vessel, but in vain. Fortunately, the Agincourt wait in company, and all the people of the William Rathbone reached her in safety: from her deck they wit- nessed the total destruction of their own ship, which blazed furiously: Om cargo consisting of rice, sugar, jute, and other Last India produce of an infhonmabte kind. The splendid summer weather, so propitious for out-door enjoyments, thinned the town on the first days of Whitsun week. The steam-boats were crowded with pleasure-seekers, bound not only to Greenwich and Gravesend, but to Vauxhall and Cremorne Gardens; both of which places of amusement opened on Whit Monday. The Theatres generally offered no very striking novelties to countervail the attractions of a clear sky and genial weather.

The Lyceum was the only one on this side the water that provided any entertainment for the nonce; and this was an amusing piece, though of a didactic sort, called The Dustman's Belle; in which Keeley figures in a fantail hat and short gaiters, and Mrs. Keeley is his sweetheart," the dust- man's belle" of the area, who is very near losing her swain through his ac- cession to fortune. The acting of Keeley and his wife is capital; and the piece was quite successful. Drury Lane, the Haymarket, the Princess's, and the Adelphi, relied on their ordinary attractions; but at Astley's, the Sikhs were again van- nuished; and at the Surrey, Madame Vestris and Charles Mathews ap- peared. On Wednesday, Carlotta Grisi danced at Drury Lane, for the first time this season, in the last new Parisian ballet, Paquita ; and de- lighted the public with her graceful feats of agility and her charming pan- tomimic expression. The ballet is a splendid affair, though without much of novelty either in the story or the dances; but people go to see Car- lotta Grisi, and are enraptured with her performance. At the Italian Opera, Grisi, Lablache, and Mario, have been singing the musk of Mozart and Cimarosa: Lablache has again appeared as the deaf Geronimo in Ii Matrimcnio Segni°, in which his acting and singing are Wee inimitable; and on Thursday Don Giovanni was performed to an immense house. The next "grand coup" is to be a splendid ballet, of which Lalla Rookh, in the person of Cerito, is the heroine. It will give scope for magnificent pageantry, and some novel devices in dancing, of Irmdoo origin.

At the French Plays, the saucy Dejazet now delights the visiters with her nonchalant sprightliness and ease. She appeared last night in two favourite parts.

Among the exhibitions that attracted the terriers in town, the Panorama of the Battle of Sobraon, painted by Messrs. Burford and Scions, was the only novelty; and a well-timed one. It is a spirited and effective picture: the mixture of Indian and European costumes, with the array of military operations and all the "pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war," (cannot fail to render it popular. But the beautiful view of Constantinople is far more interesting. The Colosseum and the Diorama are perennial attractions.

The " Niederrheinisehes Blusikfest," or Lower Rhine Musical Festival, took place this year at Aix-la-Chapelle. Mendelssohn was the conductor, and Jenny Lind the great vocal attraction. Among the other artists engaged were, Herr JInertinga, the tenor, from Munich, Herr Conradin, the baritone, from Frankfort, and Herr Henger, the basso, of Aix-la-Chapelle. "The choir and orchestra, who Tolunteered for this festival, consisted of 500 vocal and 130 instrumental per- formers. The men were amateurs, collected from Dusseldorf, Cologne, or Aix-la- thapelle; but the ladies were nearly all of Aix-la-Chapelle and neighbourhood, and, it is said, belong to the most respectable families." "The festival was limited to two days, Sunday and Monday; but a grand rehearsal took place on Saturday, to which subscribers to the fete were admitted. The music chosen was all from the great German masters, with one exception. On the first day Haydn's Oratorio of The Creation, and Mozart's Symphony, No. 5, were given; and on the second day, Weber's Overture of Oberon, a Symphony of Beethoven, and Handel's Alexander's Feast." Jenny Lind has created as great a furore in Germany as in her own country. The sober Germans gave vent to their enthu- siasm with all the extravagances of music-madness; and the fair vocalist was fain to stop her ears, so vigorously were they assailed by her strong-winded sere- naders.

BANK Or ENGLAND.

An Account, pursuant to the Act 7th and 9th Victoria, cap. 32, for the week ending on Saturday the 20th day of May 1846.

19905 Dirral•THENT.

Notseissued £27,993,880 Government Debt ..... LI1J 15,100 Other Securttles 2,064.900 Gold Coin and Bullion 12,062,597 Silver Bullion 1,931,263 — £27,993,860 E27,993,680 HANKINS DEPARTMENT.

Proprietors' Capital £14,353.000 Government Seeurities, (ta- llest 3,378.878 eluding Dead Weightannuity)£13,008,065 Public Deposits* 3,228.640 Other Securities 16,460.493 Other Deposits 16,163,620 Notes 8,043 360

Seven Day and other BRIs 890,192 Gold and Silver Coin 704,212

£40,218,330 E40,216,330 • IntludingEzehequer, Savings Banks, Commissioners of NationalDebt&Dividend Accounts. Number of deaths.

Zymotic (or Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious) Diseases 126 • • • Dropsy, Caneer,and other diseases of uncertain or variable seat 91 . • • Diseases of the Brain, Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses 144 • • . Diseases of the Lungs, and of the other Organs of Respiration 279 • • • Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 41 . • • Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion 72 ... DIseases of the Kidneys, skc 13 • • • Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, fie 13 • • •

Rheumatism, diseases of the Bones. Joints, fix 9 • • • 6

Diseases of the Skin, Cellular Tissue, fie. Old Age 20 60 Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance . 23 • • • 21 — — Total (including unspecified causes) 835 ... 892 ... 968

The temperature of the thermometer ranged from 91.0° in the sun to 34.2° in the shade; the mean temperature by day being warmer than the average mean temperature by 3.2°. The mean direction of the wind for the first five days was North-north-west, and for the remainder of the week South-west.

Spring Annual average. average. 162 98 155 ... 167 271 26 63 7 9 ... 26

Results of the Registrar-General's return of mortality in the Metropolis for the week ending on Saturday last—