streets in the market plaće, overflowed, and taking their course down a narrow lane, bore down some strong garden walls, and did incredible damage; the cut from the river that turns the mill, being filled with the flood from the hills descending into the mill dam, drove down part of the mill, and carried one of the mill stones the distance of fifteen yards; the rain which lasted about four hours, was preceded by a terrible storm of hail, which was of a very extraordinary size, and attended with loud claps of thunder and lightning.

May 22. His Majesty went to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to

A bill for providing for the administration of the government in case it should descend to any of the children of his late royal highness the prince of Wales under the age of eighteen, and appointing a guardianship for the care of their persons. A bill for regulating of trials by juries. A bill for reducing the interest on the capital stock of the South Sea company, and providing against frauds in the officers and servants of that company.

A bill for the relief of the annuitants of the mercers company.

A bill to indemnify justices of the peace and constables in the due execution of their office, and preventing vexatious and litigious law suits.

A bill for correcting the style, and regulating the calender now in use.

A bill for the preservation of the game in Scotland.

And to several private and local bills. May 24. Being the birth day of his royal highness George prince of Wales, was observed with great marks of loyalty and affection.

May 31. A memorial was lately presented to his grace the duke of Bedford, one of his Majesty's principal secretaries of state, by his excellency the French am bassador, complaining of an attack made by an English man of war on the new factory which the subjects of his most Christian majesty had established since the great peace at Albreda, on the river Gambia; and demanding ample satisfaction for this insult on the first fort, which his nation had ever built on the coast of Guinea.

The season was very cold, and wet, for most part of this month, the corn in the ground being much damaged in many places by the rain, and above 600,000 acres were computed to remain unsowed; cattle also, especially the woolly kind, suffered greatly by the inclemency of the weather; one

farmer, particularly, in Sussex, lost 400 lambs by cold dews.

The great rains made land carriage so dear, that the poor and working people were greatly distressed by the high price of coals, which, in the wet season, at Derby rose from 4d. to 8d. per hundred ; at Rugby, Warwickshire, from Sd. to 14d.; at Northampton from 10d. to 1s. 6d. and in proportion at other inland places.

In consequence of the infection among the horned cattle raging in Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Westmoreland, the justices of the peace of the neighbouring county of Cumberland at their quarter sessions ordered the roads to be strictly guarded for preventing the introduction of cattle, hides, carcasses, or tallow from any adjacent English county. The distemper broke out also in the counties of Wilts and Oxford. In Cheshire they lost 30,000 cows since October last.

By a bill pending in Parliament, the number of horses drawing in carriage waggons, &c. was limited under a very heavy toll, which amounted almost to a prohibition, to four; and the commissioners of turnpikes within thirty miles of London, where the toll amounts to 150l. per annum, were compelled to erect a engine for weighing every waggon that passed, and were to levy 20s. for every one hundred weight, any carriage that travelled for hire should weigh above six hundred weight to be levied without abatement.

crane or

June 3. An order of Admiralty was issued for shipping off from Woolwich, on board the Garland sloop, and a transport, a large quantity of warlike stores for Nova Scotia.

June 5. A fire happened at Amesbury, Wilts, which consumed thirty-two houses. Damage computed at 10,0007.

June 6, The honourable East India company came to a resolution to take into their service fourteen ships for the present year, and contracted for cloth of the British woollen manufacture to the amount of 150,0007.

June S. This day his Majesty was pleased to order the Garter of his late royal highness the prince of Wales, to be presented to prince Edward. The vacant Garters of the dukes of Richmond and Montague, were to be presented to the duke of Somerset and earl of Lincoln.

June 12. At a trial of cannon on Putney common, a piece of six pounds bore, under 400lbs. weight, of a metal made at the new foundry at Chelsea, fired 300 shot running, with a pound and a quarter of powder each charge, in little more than three hours, re

riaing good in all respects; also a mortar of the same metal fired four bombs in a minate and three seconds, whereas those hitherto in use did not exceed four bombs is a quarter of an hour.

June 13. The House of Commons resolved that notice be given that the annuities payable at the Exchequer, after the rate of SI. 10s. per cent. per annum, and which, by an act of the 7th year of his present Majesty were charged on the additional duties on stampt vellum, parchment. and paper, was to be redeemed and paid off October 10, 1751, agreeable to the power of redemption in the said act.

The court of directors of the East India Company gave public notice, that on Dec. 31, 1751, they would pay and discharge all principal money and interest that should be then due on such East India bonds, as carried an interest of three per cent. per annum, from March 31, 1750, and were not brought in and marked as consenting to the terms and resolutions of the general court of the company, of April 25, 1750. After which December 31, 1751, all interest on the said bonds should cease.

June 15. Was tried at Woolwich, before Sir John Ligonier and the rest of the board of ordnance, one of his Majesty's six pounder brass cannon, out of which were fired 300 shot in three hours twentytwo minutes, after which the gun was searched, and found to be as good as before the trial.

M. de Villiers drove away the English Ohio company from the bank of that river. June 24. William Latton, esq. plenipotentiary and consul general to the emperor of Morocco, attended at the treasury, with the British captives lately redeemed from slavery in Barbary, when each captive received his Majesty's bounty of 51. per

man.

His Majesty went to the House of Peers, put an end to the present session of Parlia ment, and gave the royal assent to the following bills:

An act for the more effectually restraining the retailing spirituous liquors.

An act for granting 600,000l. out of the sinking fund, for the service of the year 1751.

An act for rendering justices of the peace more safe in the execution of their office; and for indemnifying constables acting in obedience to their warrants.

An act for encouraging the making potashes in the British plantations.

An act for continuing several laws, relating to premiums upon the importation of masts, yards, tar, pitch, and turpentine ;

to British made sail-cloth, and duties on foreign sail-cloth; and to the allowance upon the exportation of British made gunpowder.

An act for the abbreviation of Michaelmas term.

An act for the more effectual preventing of robberies upon any navigable rivers, ports of entry, wharfs and quays adjacent.

An act for ascertaining the admeasurement of wheat meal; and for making allowances to the East India company, for their charges in managing, &c. their reduced annuities.

An act to regulate and restrain paper bills of credit in his Majesty's colonies in America.

An act for the preservation of turnpike roads.

An act for making the more effectual an act passed last session, for the apprehending of persons in any county upon warrants granted by justices of any other county,

An act for the more effectual securing the duty upon tobacco.

An act for repealing the duties upon foreign linen yarn, and for granting other duties in lieu thereof.

An act to enable his Majesty to make leases and copies of offices, lands, and hereditaments, parcel of his duchy of Cornwall annexed to the same.

An act to continue several laws to prevent the spreading of the distemper amongst the cattle.

An act to continue several laws therein mentioned, for preventing rapine in the northern parts, for punishing persons going armed and disguised, to prevent the cutting of banks of rivers, or hop binds, setting on fire mines, pits, &c. unlawfully hunting red or fallow deer, for liberty to carry sugars from the colonies to foreign parts; for preventing frauds by bankrupts ; for encouraging the importation of naval stores from the American colonies, &c.

After signing the aforementioned bills, his Majesty prorogued the Parliament to August 13.

Supplies granted for the year 1751, 4,969,5351. 108.

By a contract with the

bank

1,020,476 4

6

By a lottery, and annui.

ties at 37. per cent

2,100,000 0

0

By a loan at 31. per cent. chargeable on the sinking fund Borrowed from the sinking fund

By an additional duty on spirituous liquors, as by the act, value not known

225,023 11 6

0

Total £6,201,499 16 0

The session of Parliament expiring, the honourable Mr. Murray was released from his confinement in Newgate.

About_the_latter end of the reign of Charles II, the poor's rates amounted to 665,3627. at this period they amounted to more than three millions yearly; entirely owing to the habitual luxury and idleness of the poor.

The French navy at this time consisted of three men of war of eighty-four guns, twenty-two of seventy-four, thirteen of sixty-four, and thirty-five of fifty-six and under.

M. Brossard, a country surgeon in France, lately discovered, that a species of the fungous substance found upon doddered oaks, called agaric, was so powerful a styptic as to stop the blood, even in amputations, without making any ligature.

July 10. Mr. Sergeant Belfield, recorder of Exeter, after obtaining the royal assent, presented the prince of Wales with the patent of the office of high steward of the city of Exeter, in the room of his deceased father, and with his freedom of the said city in a gold box of curious workmanship, which his Royal Highness accepted in a gracious and most obliging

manner.

July 11. The princess dowager of Wales was delivered of a princess, baptized by the name of Caroline Matilda, the prince of Wales, the princess Caroline, represented by viscountess Irwin, and lady Augusta being sponsors.

The admiralty gave orders for a general survey of the navy in all the yards and ports of England, and lord Anson, and admirals Boscawen and Rowley, were to inspect the same.

Anthony Weldon, esq. was made storekeeper of Chatham yard,

By the fall of two houses in Brewer'scourt, Shoe-lane, two men and five women were killed, and others much bruised.

The Spaniards built a fort on the island of Rattan, which we quitted by the peace, with a view to intercept all ships coming into the bay of Honduras to cut logwood.

Orders were issued from the lord chamberlain's office for the change of the mourning for the late prince of Wales on Sunday, August 4, the men to continue in black, and wear coloured swords and buckles; the ladies to wear black silk, or velvet, coloured ribbons, fans, and tippets.

St. Luke's hospital for lunatics was opened for the reception of patients.

Mr. Labelie, the Swiss architect of Westminster-bridge, in his new description of it, tells us, that the quantity of stone materials in that noble structure, is nearly double the quantity of the same materials in St. Paul's cathedral.

Mr. Keppel, commander of the British squadron in the Mediterranean, settled all the differences between this court and the Dey of Algiers, by waving the restitution of the money and effects taken from on board the prince Frederic packet-boat, on condition, that his Majesty's packet-boats should never be obliged to carry Algerine passports, but on producing their commissions should be at full liberty to pursue their voyage; and that the British merchants should enjoy the privilege of trading in all the ports and places belonging to the kingdom of Algiers, with fair and legal passports; with which they were allowed a proper time to furnish themselves.

The Parliament which stood prorogued to this day, was further prorogued to October 15.

Aug. 12. A fire broke out in a serge warehouse on Cotton's wharf, adjoining to the bridge-house, and consumed the dwelling-house of the master carpenter of London-bridge, three large warehouses,

in which above 4000 pieces of serges, baize, and flannels were burut, the damage computed at 40,0001.

Aug. 15. Mr. Blandy of Henley on the Thames, died of poison given by his daughter.

Aug. 28. The first stone in the foundation of Islington church was laid by James Colebrook, esq. one of the trustees for that work.

Aug. 31. In the weekly bill from Aug. 6 to 13, the number of burials was no more than 224, being much lower than any since 1665, and a proof of the extraordimary healthy season.

The pier of Westminster bridge next the Surrey side inclined near a foot from its true perpendicular.

From the middle of July to the end of August, about 8000 ounces of gold, and above 300,000 ounces of silver, were entered at the Custom-house, for exportation to Holland.

An order was issued by the king of Spain, at the pressing representations of Mr. Keene, the British minister, to all governors and commanders of ships in the Spanish West Indies, "Not to molest or interrupt the navigation and commerce of the English in the West Indian seas; nor to stop any vessels belonging to that nation, on any pretence whatever, unless actually found carrying on the contraband trade prohibited by treaties." Commanders of the King's ships or guarda costas were to be severely punished that presumed to disobey this order.

Sept. 2. The Dauphiness of France was safely delivered of a prince, who was called duke of Burgundy.

Sept. 4. An order of council was issued for all ships coming from the Levant into any port of his Majesty's dominions, to perform a quarantine of forty days, on account of the plague which had raged at Constantinople, where 70,000 people died

of it.

Aug. 7. A fire broke out at the seat of Hume Campbell, esq. near Colnbrook, in Buckinghamshire, which consumed all the rich furniture, &c. and was so fierce, that Mr. Campbell was obliged to get down from his chamber by a ladder, without his clothes. The fire broke out in his study, and was first discovered by a helper in the stables, who gave the alarm, and saved the greatest part of the family from being burnt in their beds.

Aug. 10. At Kingston in Jamaica, in the evening, the whole firmament appeared of a very livid colour, horrible to behold, and the greatest part of that night was at

tended with hard squalls of wind; about six in the morning of the 11th it blew very hard at north, which brought off great quantities of leaves and sprays of trees from the mountains to the ships which rode at anchor a mile and a half distant from the town, and were seen in the air like flocks of birds.

At half an hour after eight the wind shifted to the east, and after that to the south-east, when instantly it blew a hurricane which raised the sea in the harbour to a most surprising height, and in a few minutes it grew totally dark, so that at noon day the ships could not be seen that were driving foul of each other, and the men were scarce capable of keeping themselves fixed to any thing, the wind roaring as if the most tremendous thunder had been bursting, so that no man could be heard to speak. The height of the gale lasted till between eleven and twelve, when it something cleared; and on looking round, nothing was to be seen but death and destruction, numbers lying on the shore drowned, and others floating on the sides and pieces of wrecks, till the following afternoon. The violence of the wind was so great, that only three ships out of forty sail of vessels rode out the gale, viz, the Cornwall, Duncomb; the Mercury, Mat thews; and the Queen Mary, which suffered not the least damage. The proprietors of what small canoes were saved in the town, asked six and eight pistoles each to carry any man aboard or ashore, or to endeavour to save those that were perishing on the water. Of the vessels that were lost, some were driven ashore in the woods, overset and stove to pieces, to the number of twentyseven; and there were fourteen riding before the town without masts. Some days after several vessels arrived with jury masts, and in a very shattered condition, who met with the gale between Hispaniola and Porto Rico. At the same time the Fox man of war from the Havannah, Mr. Manning on board, with a great quantity of specie, was obliged to cut away all her masts, and let go all her anchors, and after driving over two or three quays, brought up between two rocks, where it pleased God to preserve their lives, although they had taken leave of each other, and were preparing for their last moments. They saved some of the specie. Another account adds, that the loss the inhabitants of Jamaica suffered amounted to 300,0002.

Aug. 11. An order of council was made for summoning the Parliament to sit for dispatch of business on the 12th of November.

The lords of trade and plantations ordered five ships to be got ready to sail for Nova Scotia with two companies of Lee's foot, and warlike stores.

By a list published of the ships employed in the whale fishery for 1751, it appeared that 167 went out, viz. thirty-two from Great Britain, thirteen from Hamburgh, three from Altona, two from Bremen, one from Embden, and the rest from Holland.

Orders were issued for repairing and augmenting the fortifications of Carlisle, and several towns in North Britain.

At Weyhill fair, best Farnham hops sold from 81. to Sl. Ss. per hundred, the second from 41. 158. to 67. the Kent and Sussex best from 51. 10s. to 67. 10s. and ordinary from 31. to 41.

Oct. 15. Both Houses of Parliament met at Westminster, and were further prorogued to Nov. 14.

Oct, 25. An eruption of mount Vesuvius began; on the 24th the whole cavity appeared in a blaze, and next day two streams of liquid fire descended in torrents towards the sea. The virtuosi, by observations lately made, calculated the duration of these irruptions to a few hours.

Oct. 26. His Majesty granted his royal charter for incorporating several of his Majesty's loving subjects therein named, by the name of the Society of Antiquaries of London.

A treaty of peace and commerce between his Majesty and the kingdom of Tripoli, was concluded and signed Sept. 29; and also a treaty of peace and commerce between his Majesty and the state of Tunis, was concluded and signed Oct. 19.

Oct. 29. The right honourable Thomas Winterbottom, esq. Lord Mayor of London, went to Westminster, and was sworn into his office with the usual ceremonies.

The commissioners for the navy, contracted for 10,500 load of timber for Deptford, Woolwich, and Chatham.

Nov. 9. The King reviewed in the Green park, St. James's, colonel Rich's regiment of foot, called the King's Tangier regiment, raised in 1680; there were present the duke of Cumberland, lord Cadogan, general Huske, and Sir Robert Rich. They made a very fine appearance, and after the review marched over Westminster bridge to their quarters in Kent.

Nov. 14. The King went with the usual state to the House of Peers, and opened the session with a most gracious speech. His Majesty was followed by a number of sailors belonging to the herring busses, with acclamations of" Long live the King;

Prosperity to the British fishery." These sailors were the crews of the Chesterfield, Bedford, and Shaftesbury busses, which had cockades in their hats, having just received their bounty money (given by alderman Janssen, for having caught the most fish this year) viz. 30l. for the Chesterfield buss, being the first prize, 207. the Bedford, and 157. the Shaftesbury.

Both Houses of Parliament presented loyal and dutiful addresses to his Majesty. A certificate signed R. Brooke clerk of the cocket, was published to confirm the evidence given at Guildhall, Oct. 22, about orders for oats, declaring that 33,000 qrs. had been brought into the port of London since October 14, the price 10s. 6d. to 14s. 6d.

Nov. 20. An order passed the House of Commons that the honourable Mr. Alexander Murray be again committed close prisoner to Newgate. Resolved also, that he do receive the said sentence at the bar of the House on his knees; and ordered, that the sergeant at arms do take him into custody for that purpose.

And a complaint being made to the House of a printed pamphlet, entitled, "The case of the honourable Alexander Murray, esq. in an appeal to the people of Great Britain, more particularly the inhabitants of the city and liberty of Westminster," the said pamphlet was brought up to the table and read; when it was resolved nem. con. "That the said pamphlet is an impudent, malicious, scandalous, and seditious libel, falsely and most injuriously reflecting upon, and aspersing the proceedings of this House, and tending to create misapprehensions of the same in the minds of the people, to the dishonour of the House, and in violation of their privileges.' Whereupon a resolution passed to address his Majesty to give directions to the attorney general to prosecute the author, printer, and publisher of the said scandalous libel, which was done accordingly.

Nov. 25. The House of Commons resolved to address his Majesty to issue his royal proclamation with a reward for apprehending Alexander Murray, esq. after whom diligent search had been made in town.

Dec. 8. Died her Majesty Louisa, queen of Denmark, youngest daughter of our sovereign.

Dec. 16. A new road was opened from Westminster bridge to Kennington common, cut through gardens eighty feet wide.

Dec. 19. The King went to the House of