Her Majesty was, we arc told, greatly pleased with time
good humour and honesty of the Mayor on her late visit to Oxford. On time Queen's arrival, the Mayor was observed driving at a quick rate in his little open carriage to the inn where her Majesty stopped, to offer his con- gratulations without loss of time. Some experienced friend luckily made him pause, and got him into a shop, where he was properly rigged out for the occasion. One of the city functionaries brought him the mace, another was seen carrying the robes of office. At length he was properly rigged out, and waited on the Queen in due style. After the usual introduction, the Mayor energetically asked, " How is the King?" On receiving her Majesty's answer, " In perfect health," he replied, "Glad to hear it—God bless him. The King and I are six weeks, off and on." Finding himself not at once understood, he ex- plained, that the days of the birth of his Majesty and himself were within six weeks of each other ; and that the King had the advantage of him, being six weeks older. The Mayor would have continued the conversation, had lie not been warned by some officious friend that it might be reckoned indecorous; but he declared that her Majesty was so condescending that be could talk to her as easily as to persons in any other rank of life ; and her Majesty was heard to praise the blunt but the sincere mariners and greeting of the Mayor of Oxford.—Courier.
A strange story appeared in the Times last week, of the detention of the Honourable Edwin Lindsay, a brother of the Earl of Balcarras, in the Island of Papa, one of the Shetland group. It was stated that he was cruelly treated by persons employed to keep him there, and that several attempts to get him away had been thwarted. The reason for his detention was not given. It is said that Mr. Lindsay is in London, and that he declares he has been twenty-five years in the island, having been most cruelly used there. He is now fifty years old, and was for- merly in the Madras military service. The Architectural Society had their first soiree of the season on Monday, at their rooms in Lincoln's Inn Fields. The attendance of the members and their friends was very numerous. The business of the evening was opened by the President reading a paper, containing a brief summary of the advantages which had resulted from the forma- tion of the Society ; and expressing regret at the fact that it was not supported as it ought to be by the elder members of time profession. It was observed, that the conduct of Sir J. Soane formed an eminent exception to the general apathy evinced by the leading architects towards the institution; for he not only by personal exertions, but also by liberal pecuniary contributions, had materially assisted the Society in effecting their objects. A notice appears in:Tuesday's Gazette, which states that plans and designs for the New Houses of Parliament having been delivered into the office of the Woods and Forests, in some cases with the names and addresses of the parties affixed to the same, under an evident mis- conception of the notices already issued in that respect, the attention of architects is directed to the particulars stated for their guidance in the London Gazettes of the 21st, 2.4th, and 2Sth July, 18th August, and 11th September last ; a non-compliance with which will occasion the rejection of their designs.
The currency of India is about to be simplified by the abolition of the Madras Mint, and the coining a new rupee at Calcutta, which will be current throughout all India. It is made broader and thinner than the present sicca rupee, to prevent the drilling and plunging with lead which is practised to a considerable extent with the thick coins now in use.
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