IftisctIlaneous.

We have heard with satisfaction that her Majesty's Ministers have made such an arrangement as will increase the income of Mademoiselle D'Este to 1,0001. a year; being equal to that which she enjoyed during the life- time of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.—Morning Chronicle.

The death of the Earl of St. Germains, recorded this week, will occasion some moves in the official circles, by occasioning Lord Eliot's elevation to the Upper House. The old Earl was seized with a spasmodic attack, of a kind to which he was subject, early last week; and he expired on Sa- turday night, or early on Sunday morning. William Eliot, Earl of St. Germains and Baron Eliot of St. Germains, county of Cornwall, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, was third son of Edward first Lord Eliot, by Catherine, only daughter and heiress of Mr. Edward Elliston. He was born on the 1st of April 1767, so that he was at his death within a few months of attaining his 78th year; and he succeeded to the family honours and estates on the death of his brother, John first Earl St. Germains, 17th Novem- ber 1823. The deceased Earl was married no fewer than four times,—namely, first, to Lady Georgians Augusta Leveson Gower fourth daughter of Granville first Marquis of Stafford, and sister of the late Duke of Sutherland, on the 1st November 1797; who died on the 24th March 180G: secondly, on the 13th Fe- bruary 1809, to Letitia eldest daughter of the late Sir William Percy Ashe A'Court, and sister of Lord Heytesbury, the present. Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland; who died 20th January 1810: thirdly, on the 7th March 1812, to Charlotte eldest daugh- ter of the late Lieutenant-General John Robinson, and granddaughter of the late Earl of Powys: and she. dying, 3d July 1813, the Earl married, fourthly, on the 30th August 1814, Susan sixth daughter of the late Sir John Mordaunt, and aunt of the present baronet; who died on the 5th February 1830. The de- ceased had issue by his first marriage, namely, Edward Granville Lord Eliot, and three daughters. In politics Lord St. Germain was a Conservative ; and he

rconsiderable election interest in the county, having before the Reform iells,eredurned four Members to the House of Commons; but of late years his Lordship had not interfered in the opinions of his tenantry. Lord Eliot, Member for East Cornwall and Secretary for Ireland, who now suc- ceeds to the Earldom, was born on the 29th August 1798; and married in 1824 to Lady Jemima Cornwallis, third daughter of Charles second Marquis of Cornwal- lis; by whom he has a family of seven children, his eldest son, Edward now Lord Eliot, having been born the 2d April 1827.

It is generally rumoured in political circles, that Mr. Sidney Herbert will succeed Lord Eliot as Secretary for Ireland, and Mr. Corry will replace Mr. Herbert as Principal Secretary of the Admiralty.—Globe.

Mr. Baron Gurney, in consequence of continued ill health and increas- ing weakness, has sent to the Lord Chancellor his resignation of the high office of one of the Barons of the Exchequer, which the learned Baron has filled for some years with great ability and satisfaction to the bar and the public.—Standard.

The lucrative post of Queen's Proctor, vacant by the death of Mr. Iltid Nichol, is to be conferred upon Mr. Francis Hart Dyke, son of Sir Percival Hart Dyke. Mr. Dyke is connected by marriage with Sir John Nichol and Sir Herbert Jenner Fust.

It is reported that Dr. Lushington is to represent the British Govern- ment in the Mixed Commission for inquiring into the "right of search." It is to be hoped that so marked a leader among the Anti-Slavery party will not be the sole " representative of the British Government "; unless the British Government means to stand confessed as nothing but the re- presentative of Exeter Hall.

The City of London Mercantile Committee on Postage have forwarded to Mr. Rowland Hill 10,0001., part of the amount raised towards the Na- tional Testimonial ; reserving a public presentation of the residue until the collections in many parts of the United Kingdom be completed. In like manner, Mr. Hill defers his formal acknowledgement.

A correspondent of the Morning Chronicle describes " an important do- cument" just printed, and draws very large inferences from it- " Only fifty copies of it have been issued from the press, and these are said to be intended only for the members of the Privy Council. The document is of great length, and forms more than 200 folio pages. The object of it is to show the operation of Sir Robert Peers tariff. It contains statements, in columns, of the Customs-receipts upon each article imported for each of the four years preceding the new tariff.It contains also a similar statement of the receipts since that tariff came into operation. The advocates of free trade will rejoice to learn that the gross receipts for a year under the new tariff exceed those of any other of the four years accounted for, by 100,0001. The receipts upon some articles of import are ludicrously illustrative of the absurdity of the duties levied. Some articles have yielded not more than twopence' and several have not yielded more than sixpence or a shilling. The document contains a separate classification of all articles which have not yielded to the revenue 1001.; and it is intimated that the duty upon all of these will be recommended by the Premier for abolition. A still farther reduction upon the tariff generally is contemplated; and the various clas sifications of articles in the document referred to intimate that great changes are contemplated, although they afford no clue to the Premier's intentions. The greatest secrecy has been observed with regard to this important paper; upon which Sir Robert Peel, no (limb; intends to base his tariff-alterations for the en- suing session."

-Viscount Ranelagh has published a pamphlet entitled Legal Orders and Constitutional Rights, as defined by the Earl of Aberdeen, in which he re- prints a correspondence that passed between himself and Lord Aberdeen ; the dates extending from the 27th May last to the 22d December. The subjects are Don Carlos and Viscount Ranelagh.

Lord Aberdeen begins by telling his correspondent, who had made some propo- sitions on the part of Don Carlos for the marriage of the Prince's son with the Queen of Spain, that lie forwarded those propositions to Madrid, but that he did not approve of them ; that the French Government concurred in his opinion; and that he had received no answer from Spain; which was indeed hardly to be ex- pected, since the propositions were so vague as to be scarcely intelligible. In the shape of regrets and so forth, Lord Ranelagh advocates, without explaining, the propositions; and Lord Aberdeen repels them.

Further, Lord Ranelagh complains that special instructions, issued by Lord Palmerston, prohibiting the Viscount's presentation by British Ministers at Fo- reign Courts, still remain unwithdrawn; and he says, (29th November,) " I am not now premature in hoping that I no longer remam under an apparent stigma, cast upon me only on account of my firm attachment to principles so long and so ably maintained by your Lordship and the leading members of her Majesty's pre sent Administration." Lord Aberdeen looks into the records of the Foreign Offim, and finds, " that the instructions in question were not called for by any principles or opinions entertained by your Lordship, but were issued because, after having joined the army of Don Carlos, you had actually taken part in operations in the course of which the Carlists were engaged with a portion of the British co operating force, in the neighbourhood of Bilbao.' For this cause also, your Lordship was forbidden to appear at the Court of his late Mljesty.'

He does not know to what " principles" Lord ilanelagh alludes. In reply the

Viscount declares, that he never, directly or indirectly, came into collision with the troops of his Sovereign." The principles which till now he had ima- gined Lord Aberdeen, in common with all Conservative statesmen, to have maintained, " were those of legal order and constitutional right, as opposed to rebellion, anarchy, and bloodshed." Leaving the pretensions of Don Carlos to be disposed of by the Spanish people, Lord Aberdeen declares that there is a total divergency between his convictions and those of Lord Ranelagh—" I have never ceased during the last ten years to regard Don Carlos as an usurper: against whose anarchical and rebellious attempts my best wishes have been invariably expressed for the cause of ' legal order and constitutional right." However, in consequence. of Lord Ranelagh's distinct contradiction, the prohibition of his presentation at Foreign Courts is cancelled. Lord Ranelagh wishes to publish the correspondence. Lord Aberdeen replies, "As I conjecture that the suppression of the correspond- ence would be more painful to your Lordship than its publication would be dis- agreeable to me, I leave you to do as you think proper"- only he hopes that no part of it may be suppressed. Lord Ranelagh wonders h'ow any gentleman can hink of garbhng a correspondence to be given to the public.

The Morning Chronicle having animadverted on the expense of the luxury called battue-shooting, and on the injury which it causes to agri- culture, a correspondent of that journal suggests a plan by which the aristocracy may obtain all their amusement without equal injury- " It occurred to me, that an equal gratification might be purchased, without any detriment to the country at large, and at considerably less cost to the land owners themselves, as it would entirely do away with the necessity of keeping u preserves, retaining gamekeepers' watchers, &c. &c., were they to adopt the plan sin about to propose. Yon must know, Sir, that I am a butcher, and reside in a respectable neighbourhood within five miles of the Metropolis, and am, thank Heaven, doing a very excellent and extensive business; so that I am obliged to slaughter a large number of animals weekly. Now I propose, and should be most happy to allow a limited number of the nobility and gentry, on their paying me a moderate annual subscription, to visit my slaughter-house, and there have- the felicity of terminating the existence of any of those herbiferi most common ly devoted to man's consumption they might choose ; either with the knife in, the regular way of business, or by means of the rifle or pistol, as might be most gratifying to the destructive propensity of the particular individual. Those making use of these latter weapons, I need hardly add, must be approved shots„ and must be able to plant the bullet well into the head: but this remark is super- fluous, as nearly all our nobility can do this. I have a long court-yard sur- rounded with high walls ; so that no accidents can occur from a ball missing the object at which it was aimed, and where the animals might be let out one by enc. or in droves, as required."

It will perhaps startle some of our readers to learn that his Grace the Duke of Wellington has been much occupied lately in the development of an ingenious plan for the fortification of London. His Grace is said to be persuaded, that on the death of Louis Philippe there is too much reason to apprehend that there will be. war with a neighbouring kingdom, whose belligerent tendencies have been lately. expressed in no measured terms; and lie wishes London to have the same security as Paris, namely, the security against being taken by a coup-de-main. We have this on unexceptionable authority.—Historscal Register.

The Paris Presse mentions a report, on what authority we know not, that the English Minister at Washington has broken off all relationa with the Govern- ment of the United States, and demanded his passports. The Prase, however,. admits that the news stands in need of confirmation. We have reason to believe that it does not rest upon any authority at all. The rumour obtains no credit in London, as it is thought that no news can have been received since the last regu- lar mail.—Globe.

From Mr. Charles Willick's Annual Supplement to the:Tithe Commutation Tables for 1845, we gather the following general results. The average prices for" last year were 51s. 3d. per Imperial quarter, for wheat; 33s. 8d. 1, e barley:

20s. 7d.oats.

The average prices for seven years to ehristmas Cast amount to

is. 7d. per Imperial bushel, or 60s. 8d. per Imperial quarter, for wheat; 4s. lid. „ 77 32s. 10d. >2 IP barley; 2s. 9d. ?I ff 22s. Od.' e oats. Each 1001. of rent-charge in 1845 will amount to 1(131. 17s. 1l d., or 5s. 6d. per- cent less than the amount of last year.

We believe that fourteen vessels are advertised to sail from Liverpool for China, against seven at this date last year. This shows that the Chinese treaty works well. There is also a slight increase in the ships laid on for Calcutta.—Chester - Courant.

Alluding to the false report about the death of the Em r Nicholas, the-

Journal de la Hoye, of the 18th instant, says—" We learn m a good source, that all the accounts which have been recently published respecting the state oF health of the Emperor of Russia are mere fabrications. That Monarch has not even been indisposed."

Letters recently arrived at Munich, from Rome, state that the Pope is in a most alarming state. His Holiness is upwards of seventy-nine years of age.Frank- fort Postal Gazette, Jan. 17.

Every day this week the papers have contained reports about the aged Earl of Mornington, who has been seriously ill with an irritating complaint, and the necessity of a surgical operation was apprehended. He has, however, slowly im- proved, and the worst fears have abated.

We are happy to learn that the health of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, is con- siderably improved, and that hopes are entertained of his complete recovery.— Bury Post.

We regret to learn that accounts have been received in town from Paris stating the serious indisposition of the popular composer Balfe, who is at present in the French capitaL—Sun.

The Globe describes a serious accident which occurred to Mr. Gully about three• weeks back. " After returning from hunting: and while yet wearing his red coat, he entered a lair, in which there were two heifers, luckily tied up by their heads..

Having got between the animals, as he had often done before, they became en- raged, reared up, got him down under their feet, and inflicted a severe wound on his thigh before he was rescued. Fortunately, they were so closely confined by their necks, that they could not use their horns, or the consequences would have been fataL The injuries they did effect were such as to have confined their victim to his bed for some time."

It is stated that Mr. O'Connell will certainly proceed to Belgium shortly before. Easter, about the middle of March, on a visit to his daughter, Mrs. Fitzsimon; who, with her family, is wintering at Ghent.

Mr. Pritchard, accompanied by Mrs. Pritchard and their youngest tichild, on Friday from Southampton' i in the royal mail steam-packet the Avon. Mr. Pritchard received his sealed instructions from the Foreign Office late on Thurs- day.

It is reported that Dr. Wolff, whose arrival at Tehran is already known, will return home through St. Petersburg.

Letters from Madeira, of the 1st instant, mention that among the many Engiiek. visiting that island is Mr. Sheridan Knowles; who was about to deliver a course of lectures on dramatic poetry.

The King of the French has given Mr. Mitchell, the manager of the English plays in Paris, a valuable gold snuffbox, for the pleasure he had afforded the Royal Family by the representation of Hamlet; and to Mr. Macready a very splendid poniard, the hilt of which is enriched with diamonds and other precious stones.

The King of the French has given the sum of 201. towards the funds of the new Catholic church in Lambeth.

Miss Jane Porter has received:a richly-carved easy chair covered with crimson velvet, a present from the booksellers, publishers, and authors of New York, in testimony of admiration for her writings.

Mr. James Waterhouse Smith, who died at his house in the Regent's Park on the 5th instant, has made the following munificent bequests of sums in the Three per Cent Consols—To the British and Foreign Bible Society, 2,000/.; to the Society for Promoting. Christian Knowledge, 2,0001.; to the Metropolitan Church- building Fund, 2,000/4 to the Middlesex Hospital, 2,0001.; to the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Esta- blished Church, 1,0001.; to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 2,0001. He has directed the whole to be paid, free of duty, within three months after his decease.

The following characteristic reply from the Duke of Wellington to an ap- plication for admission at Strathfieldsaye, (not on the part of the Times,) will show that his Grace at least will not allow the Royal privacy to be unduly dis- turbed: " Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. —, and begs to say he does not see what his house at Strathfieldsaye has to do with the public press."—Times.

A correspondent of the Times, referring to some remarks in that paper, deems it necessary to explain the reasons why Dr. Andrew Bell, well known as the founder of the Bell system of teaching, did not live with his wife; who still

survives. Mrs. " separation from her husband was caused solely by the greatest cruelty and oppression practised towards her. Dr. Bell did not scruple to subject her to personal violence, and he debarred her as much as he possibly could from the commonest necessaries. Fortunately for Mrs. Bell, her property was settled upon herself, otherwise the grasping cupidity of her husband would have taken from her the means of existence."

It is calculated that a new comet, discovered by M. D'Arrest, will be seen in England on the 17th February next, with the naked eye, or at least with a com- mon telescope.

Signs of approaching spring are noted. A swallow's nest with an egg in it has been found in Ireland, by a person who saw the parent birds. Primroses in full bloom have been plucked from an open hedge at Silverton, in Devon.

At a meeting of the Syro-Egyptian Society, on Tuesday evening, Mr. Silk Buck- ingham, by way of settling the question as to the descent of the Irish from the rhcenicians, mentioned a fact which had come within his knowledge, of a gentle- man from Fez, who, by means of the language of the mountaineers of Atlas, with which he was intimately acquainted, kept up a conversation with two Irishmen in their native idiom. He also knew of a Dublin lady who by means of the Irish language conversed freely with the mountaineers of Atlas in their native idiom; these mountaineers being the descendants of Carthaginians who had taken refuge in ancient times in the Atlas range, and preserved the dialect of their Phoenician forefathers.

The Old Greyfriars Church at Edinburgh, in which Robertson and Erskine preached, and where Walter Scott attended in his boyish days, has been completely destroyed by fire; while the New Greyfriars, another church under the same roof, las not had a much better fate. The fire broke out about half-past nine o'clock on Sunday morning, and was not subdued till two in the afternoon; by which fine the Old Church was completely gutted, the stone pillars even being partially 'destroyed by the heat; and the New Church was almost as badly injured, a portion of the roof and some of the galleries and seats only being saved. The confla- _gallon is supposed to have originated by the overheating of the flues of the Old G reyfriars, a fire having been kindled on the Sunday morning very early and left unattended. There were four engines present, and a number of the Military from the Castle; but a want of water prevented much being done to check the flames. _sloppily, the churches formed an isolated building. Neither had any pretensions to architectural beauty. A table used by John Knox has been destroyed.