sengers and crew, numbering 17 persons, escaped from her in the boats, but only to endure such horrible privations from famine and exposure that 15 of them perished.

The ship sprang a leak on the 19th of May, in terrible weather, and the exertions of the crew to reduce the water by pumping were thrown away. Recourse was had to the boats, but the jolly-boat went adrift in launching. Having obtained as much provisions and water as could be got at, the order was given for all hands to take to the long-boat. Of the three passengers, two were females. All being in readiness, the boat was pushed off, amid a heavy sea, which every moment threatened to ingulph them. Within an hour after their leaving they saw the ship go down head foremost. They kept the boat head to wind the whole of that night and part of the next day, when they hoisted sail, and made for a westerly course. On the third day their situation became alarming, the water and provisions were hausted; the master did all he possibly could do to cheer the men on, and one and all laboured to make way by pulling at the oars. The next day, however, passed, and following night, with the succeeding eight days and nights without sail appearing in sight. During that long space of time some miserably perished. On the sixth day two of the crew died from want; on the seventh, the two mates and the male passenger died. The eighth, several hands became delirious from drinking sea-water to quench their thirst, contrary to the earnest appeals of the master not to touch it. One

ex

The

seaman, whilst in this state, leaped overboard and was drowned. female passengers possessed extraordinary resolution, otherwise they must have quickly sunk under their awful privations. On the evening of the ninth day their frightful situation was discovered by a French brig, who, observing at a distance the helpless condition of the boat, bore down to its assistance and picked up the wretched people in lat. 50°, long. 32o W. Their condition when hauled on board was awful; some insensible and in a dying state. The master of the Frenchman placed every comfort he possessed at their disposal, applying every possible remedy to resuscitate those whose lives were in danger; two, however, never rallied, but shortly expired. In all, 15 persons perished by such horrible sufferings.

20. WRECK AT SEA.-Twentysix lives lost.-Intelligence has been received at Lloyd's that the ship Aurora, of Hull, had foundered at sea, in lat. 46° N., long. 38° W. The Aurora sailed from Hull on the 26th of April, with 24 passengers, and a crew of 18 men. On the 17th of May, the vessel having encountered strong adverse winds, it was found she was making water rapidly. Although no perceptible cause existed, the water gained fast on them, notwithstanding their exertions at the pumps; and on the morning of the 20th, it was found that she was going down. Attempts were then made to launch the boats, but the skiff was broken by a sea; the longboat was got afloat, and some of the crew jumped into her, and attempted to rescue the persons left on board; but failed in reaching

her, and were nearly swamped in the attempt. In the meanwhile the jolly-boat was got out, with a few of the crew and passengers in her, but they had but one oar. While the crew of the long-boat were baling her out, they saw the people on board the ship hastily make a signal of distress, and the vessel went down immediately, carrying with her 26 of her unhappy burden.

24. EPSOM RACES.-This great popular meeting enjoyed all the influences of fine weather and a large attendance.

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Of the principal races. the "Craven Stakes" were won by Mr. Milner's Grapeshot; "The Derby" by the favourite, Mr. Bowes' West Australian; 28 horses started; value of the stakes, 54251. The Oaks" were won easily by the favourite, Mr. Wauchope's Catherine Hayes ; value of the stakes, 38001. DESTRUCTION OF THE ADELPHI THEATRE, EDINBURGH.-The Adelphi Theatre, situated at the corner of Broughton Street and Little King Street, Edinburgh, was entirely destroyed by a fire which broke out about 5 P.M., apparently in the music-room. The flames speedily caught the scenes and proscenium, and thence communicated rapidly to the dry wood-work of the galleries and roof. The whole building was speedily destroyed, with all the valuable "properties" of the establishment, the dresses of the company, and the music and instruments of the band. The theatre was built 60 or 70 years ago, but was not much known, having been for many years leased by Mr. Murray, the lessee of the Theatre Royal, who thus prevented, dramatic competition.

30. ELECTION OF CHAMBERLAIN.

The election of a Chamberlain of the City of London, in room of Anthony Brown, Esq., deceased, gave rise to a fierce and prolonged contest. This honourable and lucrative post has usually been considered the reward of a long and useful exercise of the office of alderman; and on this occasion, Sir John Key, Alderman of the Ward of Bridge Without, and twice Lord Mayor, came forward as the corporation candidate. The spirit of reform and alteration was, however, stirring within the walls of London, and a numerous body of gentlemen of much influence wished to break down the ill precedent, and to elect an independent candidate. The gentleman they chose was Mr. Scott, many years a chief officer in the Chamberlain's department, in which his father also had previously been a respected member. The battle was hot and protracted, and for long favourable to Mr. Scott. Ultimately, however, the corporation influence prevailed, and succeeded in carrying the coveted offices by a majority of 271; the numbers being, for

Sir John Key............ 3185 Mr. Scott 2914 So large a number of the Livery have never before voted in a similar contest. The salary of this officer is 2500l. per annum.

SALE OF THE SPANISH GALLERY OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE. -The collection of Spanish pictures, the property of the late King of the French, has been sold in this country. Although containing some fine specimens, it was of far inferior value to that of Marshal Soult. Unlike that celebrated collection, it was not the fruit of rapine, but of fair purchase; the

greater number of the works having been bought by Baron Taylor, in 1835, at the time of the suppression of the Spanish monasteries. The principal masters, whose works gave value to the collection, were Zurburan, Velasquez, and Murillo. Of Zurburan, four companion pic tures, of sacred subjects, were bought by the Duke of Montpensier for 1700 guineas; the same Prince purchased also the "Virgen de la Faya," by Murillo, for 1500 guineas, and some other esteemed pictures, which will therefore be restored to Spain. The chief attraction of the sale was the "Nativity," by Velasquez, which was bought for 2050 guineas for our National Gallery. Some fine portraits by Velasquez brought from 250 to 300 guineas; a "Conception," by Murillo, 830 guineas; a "Magdalen," 840 guineas; a portrait of Andrea Andrade, the state verger of the Cathedral of Seville, by the same great artist, 1020 gui"Balaam and the Angel," by Alonzo Cano, 240 guineas. The entire gallery, which was disposed of in four portions, consisted of 528 pictures, and produced about 27,000l.

neas;

SALE OF THE "STANDISH GALLERY" OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE.— The collection of pictures belong ing to the ex-King, known as the "Standish Gallery," have also been sold. Some interest attaches to this collection. It was formed by the late Mr. Standish, an English gentleman, long resident in Spain. During Lord Melbourne's administration, Mr. Standish offered to present his collection to the nation, hinting at the restoration of an ancient baronetcy in his family. The Minister refused to "barter the honours of the Crown." Of

fended by this refusal, Mr. Standish bequeathed his gallery to the King of the French. By the course of revolution, it now came back to be sold in the country of the offended collector. The "Standish Gallery" contained some pictures of merit, and these brought high prices. The principal was a Portrait of the Infante Don Carlos," by Velasquez, 1600 guineas. "Portrait of Murillo," by himself, 330 guineas. A landscape by Watteau, with figures representing actors of the Comedie Italienne, brought the large sum of 700 guineas. The entire collection produced 10,000 guineas.

The dispersion of the family property of the unfortunate House of Orleans has been complete. Even the pictures of the Duchess of Orleans, collected by her deceased husband, have been sold at Paris, and for a comparatively small sum.

RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.-An accident occurred on the 5th of May, near the Hambleton Station of the York and North Midland Railway. An express train left the Milford Junction behind time, and endeavoured to regain the loss by extra speed. In consequence, the engine and tender ran off the line into a field, but as the couplingiron broke, the carriages went off on to the down line, but remained fixtures, and no one of the passengers was hurt. While the carriages were in this position, a goods train was observed approaching. There was no time to pull up, and it therefore ran into the wreck, doing further damage. The driver and stoker of the express train were found crushed to death beneath their engine.

It was the opinion of the coro

ner's jury, who inquired into the cause of the disaster, that it arose from the defective state of the engine and the line; they therefore returned a verdict-novel, in this country-against the Directors of the Company for manslaughter.

This unusual verdict was followed up by another. A porter at the Farnham Station of the South Western Railway was crushed between a newly-erected wall and an unexpected train, which conveyed the Hon. Francis Scott, the Chairman, and Mr. Beattie, locomotive superintendent of the Company, on official business. The coroner's jury returned a verdict of "Manslaughter" against Mr. Scott and Mr. Beattie. The accident, however, so palpably arose from carelessness on the part of the deceased, and with no possibility of avoidance by the accused, that the indictment was instantly ignored.

An accident of a novel and distressing character has occurred on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. A passenger-train had stopped at Lea Gate Station; persons wishing to leave the carriages there have to cross another line of rail to get to the platform. Some people being about to descend-an express train was in sight-a guard cried out, "Don't get out!" or "Don't get out on that side!" The exclamation was not understood, or understood in an opposite sense, and the express-train whistle being heard, the passengers thought a collision was imminent they rushed out of the carriages and tried to get across the rails; some succeeded, but two were struck down by the express and literally cut to pieces.

Numerous other accidents, involving death to the railway serVOL. XCV.

vants and injury to the passengers, occurred during the month.

CRIMINAL RETURNS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES-Some returns relating to crimes and offences have been laid before Parliament, which afford a favourable view of the condition of society.

Thus the total number of commitments in the year 1852 was 27,510, being considerably below the average, and 3899 fewer than in 1842. Of offences of the first-class -offences against the person-the totals continue nearly the same, there being an increase in murders and attempts to murder, and in concealment of births; but a great decrease in stabbing, wounding, &c. In the second-class of offences

against property with violence— there is a decrease, chiefly on burglary and house-breaking. In the third-class-offences against property without violence-there is a slight decrease. In the fourthclass-malicious offences against property-a decrease. In the fifthclass-forgery and offences against the currency-an increase. In the sixth-all offences not comprised within the previous classes-an increase of 22.9 per cent., chiefly arising from commitments for perjury under the new law, which makes parties to a cause witnesses. As regards punishment, the chief matter for remark is the great diminution of sentences to transportation-a difference not arising from a decrease of transportable crimes, but from the alteration of the law in respect to the infliction of that punishment. Of the crimes which still remain capital-now reduced to eight, of which high treason afford no recent example-the following are the convictions in the last ten years :-F

--

In the 61 capital convictions in 1852, judgment of death was recorded in 42 cases, so that the sentence of death was actually passed upon 19 persons only; and of this number, nine-seven males and two females were executed.

When the great facility and rapidity of communication in the present day, the general publicity of all occurrences, and the excellent organization of the police, are taken into account, these returns seem to be very satisfactory.

THE TABLE-MOVING MANIA.It is as wholesome-perhaps more so-to record the follies of mankind as their crimes, errors, and misfortunes; for while the latter may and frequently do arise from unconnected causes, or from unavoidable chance, the former must always be due to weakness or unreasoning. The record, therefore, which would convey no warning to the criminal, may shame the weak or awaken the inert.

A credulity, one of the most simple that has befooled society, has been turning the heads of a large portion, of the community. The wise contributed no small numbers to the simpletons; the scientific gravely expounded the

rationality of the farce; the divine and the pious claimed it for a power of the Creator, or solemnly imputed it to the workings of the Devil; the general laity, especially the women, beheld, wondered, and believed, and rejected every explanation that did not admit the fact as presumptuous self-sufficiency. The faith in question is termed "Table Moving." The public gravely believed that if a number of persons stood round a table— no matter what its material, form, or size, or its isolation or nonisolation-each pressing the tips of the fingers of the hands on the surface, while the little-fingers were interlaced into those of his neighbour's so as to form a continuous chain, there would, after an interval of uncertain duration, be originated a mysterious power or force, which would gradually set the table in a rotatory movement, continually increasing in speed, and hurrying along with it the adventurous experimentalists, until, terrified and exhausted, one of them should drop off and thus break the chain. As the marvellous power thus discovered was not originated by any artificial compound or philosophical apparatus, but was inhe