naturally expected that a successor would be selected from among his colleagues in office. The lapse of a fortnight was suffered to intervene, after the subject had been mentioned in Parliament, before any arrangement appeared to have been formed. On Wednesday, the 11th of April, however, Mr. Canning received the final and decided commands of his Majesty to form an Administration, of which he, as the first Lord of the Treasury, was of course to be the head. Mr. Canning, after having received the full and complete authority of the Sovereign, immediately wrote a letter to each of his colleagues to apprise them of the fact, and to express his anxious wish that the public service of the country might still continue to enjoy the important advantages it had so long derived from their talents, experience, and zeal. The first answer to this communication which Mr. Canning received was from Lord Bexley, and it expressed the direct adhesion of that Noble Lord to the new Administration. The reply of the Earl of Westmoreland came next, stating his inability to give a decided answer to the proposal, until he was informed who was to be the Prime Minister. This naturally excited some surprise, which was considerably increased when the replies of the Duke of Wellington, of the Earl of Eldon, of Earl Bathurst, of Lord Melville, and of Mr. Peel arrived in succession, each expressing the same want of information, and nearly in the same terms. Mr. Canning, on this, immediately wrote again to each of the above distinguished persons, informing them that the King had been graciously pleased to appoint him to the situation of first Minister of the Crown, and excusing the omission in his first letter, on the ground that he had imagined the information to have been in effect conveyed by the contents of that letter in a manner which could scarcely be misunderstood. To this communication the general reply was-an expression of apprehension that in the administration of affairs, questions would arise which might produce in a Cabinet constituted, as was proposed, collisions painful to the feelings of the individuals immediately concerned, and likely to be injurious to the public service; and announcing upon this ground an intention to resign. Mr. Peel's reply differed from those of his colleagues, inasmuch as he confined himself to the simple announcement of his intention to retire from office. He, however, soon after waited personally on Mr. Canning, in whose mind he fully succeeded in removing any suspicion that personal dislike towards himself formed any part of the motives by which he, individually, was actuated. Lord Bexley's final reply was also of course distinguished from the others. He had acceded in the first instance, as we have already stated, to the proposed arrangement. He now ascribed

the change of his intentions to the determination adopted by so important and numerous a body of the friends with whom he had already acted. On Thursday, the 12th, the seven distinguished individuals just mentioned, sent their formal resignations to his Majesty.

The following official personages have also sent in their resignations:-The Duke of Montrose, Lord Chamberlain; the Marquis of Graham, (his son,) Vice-Chamberlain; his Grace the Duke of Dorset, Master of the Horse; the Marquis of Londonderry, a Lord of the Bed Chamber; Lord Lowther, one of the Lords of the Treasury; Sir John Beckett, Judge Advocate General; Sir Charles Wetherell, Attorney-General; the Earl of Shaftesbury, Chairman of the Committees of the House of Lords; the Right Hon. C. Arbuthnot, Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests; George Dawson, esq., Under Secretary of State for the Home Department; Lord Downes, Surveyor-General, Ordnance Department; Sir H. Hardinge, Clerk of the Ordnance; Lord F. Somerset, Secretary to the Master-General; and Mr. Wallace, Master of the Mint.

Who are to supply the above appointments has been the chief subject of conversation for the past month; and every day has brought a fresh report. In the mean time the Duke of Clarence has been appointed Lord High Admiral, with a Council, but without a seat in the Cabinet; Sir John Copley is to be the new Lord Chancellor, and has been created Baron Lyndhurst; and the publick are anxiously expecting the announcement of the other appointments.

We have never known a change of Ministry, which has excited stronger and more general feelings of regret. What the result may be on political measures, it is at present impossible to say. Mr. Peel's retirement is deeply lamented. Lord Eldon has received a large portion of abuse, both from the "Liberal" and Tory Press; but few men have ever retired from that high office, who justly deserved a higher character for the ability, the diligence, and the incorruptible integrity, with which its duties have been discharged.

SALES OF THE DUKE OF YORK'S PROPERTY.

The third Sale of the Duke of York's effects, by Mr. Christie, took place March 27-30. The property sold, consisted of jewellery, fire-arms, &c.

A beautiful ink-stand silver-gilt, manufactured by Mr. Lewis, the cover formed of a figure of a bagpiper with his dog, and other animals, finely chased, sold, after much competition, for 171.

A Coronation spoon, of curious design, and exquisite chasing, set with pearls, and imitations of coloured stones, obtained 23 gs.

of persons to the spot, though some of the neighbours state that the smoking appearance has been partially visible at intervals, for the last three years. On the shore underneath, a great ponderous stone, having the metallic appearance, is found, which is used for ships' ballast, and is commonly called iron stone, having much the appearance of that metal. This phenomenon is no doubt the result of martial pyrites, a species of coal composed of sulphur and iron, which, becoming decomposed by the late rains, combustion (its natural characteristic) has taken place. The Dorset County Chronicle states, that on the 29th of March, smoke was observed to issue from four apertures, besides those already mentioned. On the 31st a considerable quantity of the cliff fell into the crater, the smoke thus received a temporary check; but on the 3d inst. it burst forth with renewed vigour. Hutchins mentions a like smoking appearance of the cliffs at Charmouth, about three hundred years ago, and supposed from a similar cause as the above, pyrites being found on the spot. Near the town of Wednesbury, in Staffordshire, and Dudley, in Worcestershire (says Parkes) there are masses of coal on fire, which have been burning for ages, owing probably to the decomposition of pyrites. We read also of a combustible ground of this kind near Baku, in Persia, where the followers of Zoroaster perform their devotions. The carbonated hydrogen gas that arises from this ground is so abundant, that the priests have conducted it by hollow canes into one of their temples, where it burns continually, and is looked upon to be the sacred flame of universal power.

March 23.-A trial, which had long previously excited much public interest, on account of the respectability of the parties, and the peculiar circumstances of the case, came on at the Lancaster Assizes. The three de

fendants, Edward-Gibbon, William, and Mrs. Wakefield, with Edward Thevenot, a Frenchman, were indicted for a conspiracy in unlawfully carrying off Ellen Turner, (an heiress to considerable property,) and with causing the said Ellen to contract matrimony with Edward Gibbon Wakefield, against the consent of her father, &c. Witnesses were called to prove that the defendants, by stating Miss Turner's mother to be extremely ill, had induced the Misses Daulby, of Liverpool, where she was at school, to suffer her to accompany Thevenot (representing himself as the servant of a Dr. Armstrong) for the purpose of going home; that the two Wakefields met them at Manchester, and there Edward represented to Miss Turner that her father was ruined by the failure of banks, at the same time offering to advance 60,000l. to relieve him from his embarrassments if she would marry him; it appeared that before she would decide, she desired to see her father, which was agreed to, and

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they proceeded to Carlisle, where a letter was shown her as from Mr. Grimsditch, the family solicitor, desiring her "to shew the same fortitude that her father had evinced on the occasion of his losses;" that she was thus induced, under the influence of terror at the impending destruction of her family, to accompany Edward to Scotland, and in the hope of preserving them from ruin the marriage at Gretna took place. Mr. R. Turner and Mr. Crichley, two uncles of Miss Turner, and Mr. Grimsditch, proved following the parties to Calais, and bringing her home. Mrs. Wakefield was implicated in the conspiracy, by advancing money to her sons-in-law to carry their objects into effect, and by gaining information as to the absence of Mr. Turner from home.-When Miss Turner was called on to give her evidence, Mr. Scarlett objected, as she was legally the wife of one of the defendants;" but Mr. Baron Hullock decided that he should admit her evidence, even if this was a valid marriage, as there were cases where the evidence of wives against their husbands was admissible, and to reject her evidence here (said the learned Judge) would involve an incongruity, of which the law cannot certainly admit: the young lady was then examined, and proved the facts as stated; she admitted that she repeated her consent to the marriage before several persons, and that she believed herself the lawful wife of Edward-Gibbon Wakefield, till informed to the contrary by her uncles and Mr. Grimsditch at Calais. For the defence, the principal reliance was, that by the law of Scotland the marriage was legal; and several witnesses were called to prove that Miss Turner appeared throughout the journey as a free agent, that she had acted from inclination, and had had no restraint put upon her.The trial lasted till eight in the evening, when Mr. Baron Hullock proceeded to charge the Jury. In adverting to the separate cases of these defendants, he thought the Jury could entertain little doubt of the guilt of the two Wakefields; but the case as regarded Mrs. Wakefield stood on a different ground, as she might not have known precisely the arrangements and full intentions of all the other parties, when she advanced the money, and made the inquiries as to Mr. Turner's absence. His Lordship was proceeding to sum up the evidence in detail, when he was informed by the Jury that they had made up their minds upon the facts.After a conference among Counsel, it was agreed to take a verdict of Not Guilty upon the third count of the indictment, which insinuated the use of force, there being no evidence to sustain that part of the charge. The Jury retired for twenty minutes, and returned with a verdict of Guilty against the three Wakefields. (Thevenot has absconded.) The two male prisoners were then committed to Lancaster gaol, to be brought up for judg ment on a future day.

GAZETTE PROMOTIONS.

War-Office, March 26.-Staff. -Brevetmajor J. Gurwood, 19th Foot, to be Dep. Adj.-Gen. to the Forces in the Windward and Leeward Islands (with the rank of Lieut.-col.)

-April 9. 45th Foot, Capt. J. Cole, to be Major.-56th ditto, Major J. Peddie, to be Major. Unattached: Major John Elliot Cairnes, 56th Foot, to be Lieut.-col of Inf. : R. W. St. John, Esq. to be Agent and Consul-gen. at Algiers; Major-gen. Wulf, of the Artillery, to be Col.-Commandant.

Whitehall, April 17. His Royal Highness William Henry, Duke of Clarence, to be High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging.

Members returned to serve in Parliament. Berwick-upon-Tweed.-Sir Francis Blake, Bart. vice Gladstone, whose election has been determined to be void. West Looe.-Sir C. Hulse, vice Buller, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. Rev. W. Adamson, Kilkishem R. co. Clare. Rev. C. L. Band, Sheldon P. C. with Combrawleigh R. Devon.

Rev. A. Bayley, Edgcott R. Northampton. Rev. A. Beckwith, Collingham R. York. Rev. E. R. Benyon, Downham R. Essex. Rev. T. Bradburne, Toft R. with Caldecott V. annexed, co. Cambridge.

Rev. C. Hall, Routh R. York.
Rev. C. Johnston, Feliskirk V. York.
Rev. G. W. Jordan, Waterstock R. Oxon.
Rev. M. Keating, Ventry R. co. Kerry,
Ireland

Rev. J. Kempthorne, Wedmore V. co. Som.
Rev. W. Lloyd, Lillingstone Lovell R. co.
Oxford.

Rev. M. Lowther, Maker R. York.

Rev. A. M'Laine, to the Parish of Ardnamurchan, Scotland.

Rev. W. Mayd, Wethersfield R. Suffolk. Rev. G. Montagu, South Pickenham R. Norfolk.

Rev. C. Musgrove, Halifax V. co. York. Rev. H. J. Ridley, Kirby Underdale R. co. York.

Rev. W. H. Roberts, Clewer R. co. Berks. Rev. P. Saumarez, Great Easton R. Essex. Rev. T. Shepherd, Cruxeaston R. Hants. Rev. C. R. Smith, Withiel-Florey P. C. co. Somerset.

Rev. T. Stacey, Gelligaer R. Glamorgansh. Rev. G. F. Tavel, Great Fakenham R. Suffolk.

Rev. T. Westropp, Bruree V. co. Limerick. Rev. W. B. Winning, Keyshoe V. Bedfordsh.

CHAPLAINS.

Rev S. Burder, Chaplain to the Earl of Bridgewater.

Rev. E. Burton, Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford.

March 11. At Lebeck Home, Hotwells, co. Glouc. the wife of Daniel Farley, of Montreal, esq. a son.-12. In London, the wife of the Rev. Francis North, a son and heir.-14. At Woodleigh Parsonage, the wife of the Rev. R. Edmunds, a dau.19. The wife of Robert P. Tyrwhitt, esq. of the Middle Temple, a son.-22. At his house, Hyde-park-corner, the lady of Sir Edmund Antrobus, Bart. a dau.-24. The wife of Capt. Edw. Purvis, a dau. At Chertsey, the wife of Capt. Dixie, R. N. a son.-25. At the Rectory, Baxted, the wife of the Rev. A. C. Lawrence, a son.At Dover, the wife of Peter Hesketh, esq. "Rossall Hall, Lancashire, a dau.- -At Florence, the lady of Sir Hedworth Williamson, Bart. a son and heir.-27. At Livermere,

of

Suffolk, the wife of the Rev. Nat. Colville, a dau.-29. At Etton, the wife of the Rev. S. Creyke, a dau.In Mansfield-st. London, the Right Hon. Lady Petre, a son.

-30. At Mrs. Gapper's, College-green, Bristol, the wife of Capt. Edmund Gapper, R. A. a dau.- -Lately. At Southampton, the wife of Capt. Fred. J. Thomas, R. N.

a son.

April 1. In Gower-street, the wife of John Patteson, esq. barrister at law, a son. 3. The wife of the Rev. John Davison, Preb. of Worcester and St. Paul's, a dau.

-4. At Campsall Park, near Ferrybridge, co. York, Lady Radcliffe, a dau.-5. At Sneed Park, the wife of Thos. Daniel, esq. jun. a dau.11. At G. Byng's, esq. M.P. St. James's-sq. the Lady J. Thynne, a son.

Oct. 10, 1826. At Hertford, the Rev. Rob. Ridsdale, Rector of Knockin, co. Salop, and Vicar of Kerdford in Sussex, to Audrey Harriet, eldest dau. of the Right Hon. Lord John Townshend, of Balls Park, Herts.24. At Poonah, Robert J. Luard, esq. BomGENT. MAG. April, 1827.

bay service, to Mary Anne, dau. of Majorgen. Sir Lionel Smith, K.C.B.

Feb. 22, 1827. At Malta, Lieut.-gen. St. Vincent Whitmore, to Isabella Maxwell, eldest dau. of Sir John Stoddart, President of the High Court of Appeal, and Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court, Malta.