firtistellaneous.

We are authorized to state, that at a meeting of several noblemen and gentle- men, members of the Church of England, held on Saturday last, it was resolved to take immediate steps for the purpose of obtaining parochial petitions from all parts of England and Wales against the Maynooth Endowment Bill Morning Past.

The contemplated retirement and promotion of Naval officers, of which we have heard so much, will take place probably about August next. The number it will include and the details of the measure are not yet determined.—Globe.

, The Commission recently appointed to inquire into the expediency and useful- ness of remodelling and redistributing the Circuits of the Judges in England and Wales, have already, we hear, come to the determination of recommending to Go- vernment the division of the present Northern Circuit into two. Manchester and Liverpool, with their satellite towns, are, it is proposed, to form the new Circuit. The Commissioners have, moreover, we are informed, agreed to advise the Crown M create a new Court of Common Law at Westminster; and for that purpose to withdraw two Judges from the Courts of Common Pleas and Exchequer, and to appoint two additional Judges. These recommendations can scarcely fail to meet with the general approval of the profession and of the public.—Morning Chronicle. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the merits of the atmospheric gielof railways have reported strongly in its favour. On the Kingstown and eny railway, near Dublin, in spite of defects inevitable in a first structure, the plan has worked well for nineteen months, with severe gradients, and with curves that would have been impossible for locomotive engines. The Committee "have no hesitation in stating, that a single atmospheric hue is superior to a double loco- motive line both in regularity and safety; inasmuch as it makes collisions impos- sible except at crossing-places,. and excludes all the danger and irregularity arising from casualties to engines or their tenders." There is ample evidence, say t he Committee, to justify the adoption of the atmospheric line at present: if t way. practicable to postpone all railway legislation until farther trial be made, it wou.:1 be best to do so; but that is impracticable. The Committee " venture therefore to express their opinion to the House, that in deciding between com- peting lines of rail ray, those which have been set out to suit the atmospheric principle ought not to be considered as open to valid objection merely on account of thew having gradients too severe for the locomotive; nor should they be tested in coMparison with other lines solely by the degree of their suitableness to the use of the locomotive." " While your Committee have thus expressed a strong opinion in favour of the general merits of the atmospheric principle, they feel that eaperieoza can alone determine ander what circumstances of traffic or of country

the preference to system should be given."

Seidl the Globe—" It is confidently rumoured, that in addition to Lord Loose dale, the Earl of Liverpool and the Marquis of Exeter have determined to re- sign their situations, and vote against the Maynooth Bill in the House of Lords. The Earl of Lonsdale is Postmaster-General; the Earl of Liverpool,Lord Stewaid of the Household; and the Marquis of Exeter holds the chief office in Prince Albert's Household." To this the Morning Post adds, that soon after Lord Lens- dale's accession to the Earldom, he tendered his resignation of office; he was only induced to retain it for a time on a representation that by so doing be would serve the public; and therefore his resignation now could not be regarded as an expression of opinion, but only as the fulfilment of an old intention. The Standard says that the tale is quite unfounded • The week's obituary announces the death of the aged Earl of Stamford and Warrington. George Harry Grey was born in 1765; succeeded to the titles and estates in 1819; married in 1797 Lady Henrietta Charlotte Elizabeth Charteris, eldest daughter of Francis late Lord hick); by whom he bad two sons and three daughters. His eldest son, George Harry, born in 1802, wits summoned to the Mouse of Peers in 1882, by the title_ of. Baron Grey of Gray. He had married,

in 1824, Lady Katharine Charteris, fourth daughter of the Earl of Wemyss and dying in 1835, he left a son, George Harry Lord Grey; who succeeds to the Earldom. The late Earl was Lord-Lieutenant, Custos Rotulorum, Chamberlain, and Vice-Admiral of the County Palatine of Chester.

Mr. Forbes Mackenzie has issued an address to the electors of Peebles-shire, so- liciting reelection. His notorious change of opinion on the Maynooth grant has cauusseedd some amusement at the passage in which he says—" 1 will always main- tain the same political principles which I have constantly professed, and which I have fully announced on former occasions." He is to be opposed by Mr. Carmichaeli. son of Sir Thomas Carmichael.

The name of Sir Andrew Leith Hay, Member for the Elgin Burghs, lately ap- peared in the Gazette, his goods having been sequestered; he has not sheen him- self in Parliament; and a correspondence on the subject appears in the Scotch papers. The Town-Council of one of the burghs (Peterhead) very pointedly ask the gallant Knight when he is to appear in the House of Commons and attend to the interests of his constituents? to which Sir Andrew replies only by acknowledging the receipt of the letter.

A deputation of Italians resident in London have presented to Mr. Thomas Dun- combe a medal, beautifully engraved by Mr. Wyon, commemorating the death of the brothers Handlers and their fellow-sufferers at Cosenza, and bearing an in- scription in Italian; of which the following is a translation— ...re Thomas Slingsby Duncombe, Esq., 11. P. ; because he honoured with generous. words in Parliament the memory of their brethren slain for the sake of Hunan faith, at Cosenza, In 1844; because he mentally upheld the rights of the Italian exiles, basely. and with fell intent, violated in their private correspondence by the English Govern- ment; because he hurled back the slander aimed at one of their countrymen in pallia- tion of that enormous breach of hospitality—many Italians, in public meeting assembled, voted this slight but dearest pledge of their gratitude and applause."

There were several errors in the official lists of the voters in the division on Mr. Ward's motion on Thursday week; some were rectified in the table in the last Spectator, but two more have since been discovered. Mr. Pattisom did not vote with Mr. Ward, but was absent; and Mr. C. R. Fox was not absent, but voted for Mr. Ward's motion.

Mr. Thomas Clarkson has issued a long and affectionate address " to the in- habitants of the Northern States of America," reiterating several of the old rea- sons against the annexation of Texas. He advises the people of the North to pe- tition Congress, stating, that as a body of foreigners are to be admitted into the- Union, that provision of the fundamental constitution which gives undue weight. to the Southern States by allowing them to compute in their population (se the basis of representation) two-fifths of their slaves ought to be altered.

As yet no official intimation has been given of the suspension of the Reverend Mr. Monckton. The intimation, therefore, that the Bishop of London has pro- ceeded without the sanction (as stated in the Times) of the promoter of the ant* is not correct—Standard.

Four Hindoo Brahmins are resident in London, for the purpose of studying ins- dicine at the London University, that on their return they may diffuse a Imo. • ledge of the science among their countrymen. Two are sent over by the Indian.. Government, one by a public subscription among the inhabitants of Calcutta, and one by a wealthy Hindoo philanthropist, Ungatque Singh. One of the young gen- tlemen took part in a swimming-match at Holborn Baths on Tuesday; but his. strength seemed somewhat impaired by the climate.

Speaking of Mrs. Salmon, the Standard says—" We regret that this well-cele- brated vocalist is suffering from the extremest poverty. A sum of 1201. was raised some time since by subscription, and invested in an annuity of 121., which ie paid to her in weekly instalments( of 4g. 70. And this sum has been her sole ' -? means of dependence. Her Majesty, with her usual benevolence, has transmitted a sum towards her relief; and many charitably-disposed persons have followed the august example."

Madame Grisi has incurred a severe judgment, pronounced by the Paris Tri- bunal of Commerce, on the 24th April. She had refused to play the part of Elisetta in the Mairimorrio Segreto, on the occasion of M. Lablache's benefit; and the performance was thus prevented. It was alleged on her side that shr was only engaged to perform the parts of first soprano; but that rule, the Court decided, must be taken with some exception in the works of the most illustrious composers: Madame Grisi had herself recognized such an exception, by perform- probabperf ing this very part of Elisetta; and thou h she had done so in London under pro-

test against the precedent, she had ormed it several times in Paris without reservation. The value of the le receipts was estimated at 11,000 francs or, deducting expenses, at 10,000 francs; and half of that sum was actually paid to Signor Lablache by M. Vatel. The Court adjudged that M. Vatel should deduct 10,000 francs (400E), from monies owing to Madame Grisi; and she was also condemned to pay all the costa.

The statement which appeared last week, that Mr. Chalon and five other artists had left this country for the United States, tarns out to be a fabrics • tion: the only ground for it was a day's trip to Gravesend made by the painters.

A letter from Milan, of the 21st ultimo, states that the Pope, a few days pre- viously, had called together a congregation or meeting for secular purposes in Rome, at which it was determined not to allow railways within the Papal States,. either those having their origin there or as connecting links with the adjoining: countries.—Times.

TheNew York Sun relates a frightful wreck—that of the steam-boat Swallow

on a rock, at night, in its way from Albany to New York. The boat was broken in two, and the remnants took fire. The scene, with 350 passengers on board,. many of them ladies, may be imagined. Of that number, however, 204 are known to have been saved in other steamers and boats; many of the rest must have perished.

The Argo (American) packet-ship of the 8th April brings the account of the blowing up of a steam-packet on the North River, with the loss of sixty or seventy lives; most of them ladies, who were at tea in the cabin when the accident hap-

pened. I have not time for more.—Havre Correspondent of the Morning Post. Two interesting astronomical phenomena will take place next week. On Tuesday evening there will be an annular eclipse of the sun, partially visible in

this country; and on Thursday afternoon will commence the iransit of the planet Mercury across the disc of the sun, visible throughout Europe.