Sept. 10. A large green shark was taken in the Tweed, a little above the bridge at Berwick, which was six feet long; it affrightened the fishermen greatly, who, before they saw it, imagined they had got a great hawl of Salmon, the net being so difficult to draw; as soon as it came near the shore, it made the water fly a prodigious height; and after they had disabled it a little, and got it into shoal water, it made a hole in the sand with its tail, which would have held a coach. Some of the curious, who had seen those creatures in both the Indies, said, this was an East-India one; and it was believed that it had followed the East-India fleet to the Forth, and taken off after the salmon up the river in passing by. A clasped penknife was found in his belly. Both from Genoa and Toulon we had an account, that our Mediterranean squadron had blocked up Bastia, the capital of Corsica, by sea. Sept. 21. The Parliament was further prorogued to Tuesday, Nov. 15. about five minutes after her, abreast of the fort. About three quarters after one the firing ceased, the garrison having struck their colours, and surrendered. They had in the fort, eight mortars of about fourteen inches diameter, and thirty guns, sixteen of which were eighteen, and the remainder about fourteen pounders. The Magnanime, though damaged in her rigging, yards, and masts, yet had only two soldiers killed, and eleven men wounded; of the garrison, which consisted of near 600 seamen and soldiers, only one was killed, and seven or eight wounded. The works of this fort were afterwards blown up. On the 29th of September, the resolution was taken to return to England with the troops, no attempt having been made to land on the coast of France. The following is an account of the ships that sustained losses in a late hurricane in North America; the Windsor lost sixteen guns; the Newark six guns; the Kingston sixteen guns; the Nottingham twelve guns and her mizen mast; the Invincible three men, and main and mizen masts; the Captain and Sunderland, their main and mizen masts; the Nightingale four men, twenty guns, and her mizen mast; the Cruizer three men, ten guns, and mizen The Leeward Island fleet arrived at mast. Portsmouth, being about 120 sail. Died at Kinver, a small village near Bridgnorth, in the county of Salop, one Robert Parr, aged 124. He was great grandson of old Thomas Parr, who lies buried in Westminster-abbey, and died in the reign of king Charles the Second. What is remarkable, the father of Robert was above 109, the grandfather 113, and the great grandfather, the said Thomas, is well known to have died at the amazing age of 152. Sept. 22. Arrived the Baltic fleet, consisting of 106 sail. Sept. 23. Sir Edward Hawke ordered the vice admiral with his division, composed of the Magnanime, Barfleur, Neptune, Torbay, and Royal William, frigates, bomb vessels, fireships, and cutters, to attack the isle of Aix, between the islands of Rhè and Oleron; the Magnanime led, and about twelve the fire began from the fort, with shells and great guns, and continued while our ships approached, till about ten minutes after one, when the Magnanime brought up within less than forty yards of the fort, where she kept an incessant fire for about thirty-five minutes, as did the Barfleur, which brought up This hurricane, it appears, lasted fourteen hours. When it began, the fleet was about forty leagues from Louisbourg; and towards the end of it, the ships were within two miles of the rocks and breakers, so that had not the wind suddenly shifted from south-east to south-west, they would, in all human probability, have been driven ashore, and totally lost. Sept. 29. Sir Charles Asgill, knight, and alderman, was chosen Lord Mayor of London for the year ensuing. Oct. 11. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, arrived in town from Germany. Oct. 21. A French fleet of seven ships were defeated off cape François by capt. Forest, with three ships. Sailed from Spithead, Sir Edward Hawke, in the Ramillies, and admiral Boscawen, in the Royal George, with eight more ships of the line. Other ships were to join them at sea. Oct. 25. Died, the learned Benedictine father Augustus Calmet, aged eighty-six, at his abbey of Senones, in France. He published near sixty volumes in his life time. The grand segnior Sultan Osman, died, and was succeeded by Sultan Mustapha, who made considerable changes in the of ficers of the Porte. Oct. 30. Died, Edward Vernon, esq. member for Ipswich, and formerly an admiral of his Majesty's fleet, whose gallant behaviour at Porto Bello, Chagre, &c. will ever redound to the reputation of the British arms; and whose patriotic spirit as a senator, will endear his memory to the British nation. Nov. 7. The Virginia and Maryland fleet, making about twenty-six sail, arrived in the Downs. Nov. 9. The Parliament was further prorogued to Thursday, the first day of December next. The right honourable Sir Charles Asgill, knight, attended with the usual pomp, and sworn into the office of Lord Mayor of London, before the barons of the Exchequer. Several houses were consumed by fire, at Limehouse. The mob at Newcastle, in Staffordshire, rose, on account of the high price of corn, and four of them were killed by the soldiers, and many wounded, before they would disperse; at Manchester they pulled down two corn mills, and twelve were killed, and fourteen wounded; at Stockport they sold the farmers grain at their own prices, and honestly accounted for the money afterwards. Nov. 22. Count Daun defeated the prince of Bevern, near Breslau. Dec. 1. His Majesty went with the usual state to the House of Peers, and opened the session with a speech from the throne. Upon which, both Houses presented congratulatory addresses. Dec. 5. The king of Prussia defeated count Daun at Lissa. Dec. 8. Admiral Holbourne, in his Majesty's ship Newark, arrived at St. Helen's from Halifax. He left lord Colvil with seven sail in those seas. William Whitehead, esq. was appointed poet laureat to his Majesty, in the room of Colley Cibber, esq. Dec. 14. The court martial for the trial of general Mordaunt, was opened. Dec. 15. Sir Edward Hawke, and admiral Boscawen, arrived, with their fleet from the bay, at Portsmouth, having taken no prize in their cruise. Dec. 16. Nine barns and out houses, with a large quantity of corn and timber, were consumed by fire, at Barnwell, in Cambridgeshire. Friday, February 17, was appointed by proclamation, to be observed as a day of fasting and humiliation, in England and Wales; Thursday, February 16, was appointed in Scotland; and Friday 17, in Ireland. Dec. 21. His Prussian Majesty retook Breslau; 144,000 florins were found in the Austrian military chest, and the magazines were well stocked. Thirty-seven pieces of Prussian cannon, which were lost in the action of the 22d of November, were retaken, and besides the artillery belonging to the place, forty-four pieces of Austrian cannon were found in it. Dec. 23. His Majesty went to the House of Peers, and gave the royal assent to the land-tax, malt, and Italian thrown silk bills, and one other; after which the House of Peers adjourned to January the 17th, and the House of Commons to January the 16th. Dec. 27. Great damage was done at sea, and upon our coasts, by the stormy wea ther of this and the preceding month, many vessels having been wrecked and driven on shore, particularly one of the trans ports from Clyde to Cork, with Highland troops, which was lost, and every soul on board perished. At Richmond, in Yorkshire, a mob committed many acts of violence, and disposed of the corn, &c. they found, at what prices they thought proper; but were, after some time, dispersed, and several taken into custody; and some days afterwards, twelve of their ringleaders were also apprehended. The like disturbances also happened in several other places this month. Dec. 28. This day died her royal highness the princess Caroline Elizabeth, third daughter of his Majesty, aged forty-five years, who had been in a bad state of health for a considerable period. A memorial of the actual force of France by land, and the services on which it was employed in 1757. The French army at the beginning of this war, consisted only of 157,347 men, not including the militia and the invalids. In the month of August, 1755, an augmentation was made of four companies of forty-five men each, in every battalion of the king's regiment, and of four companies of forty men each, in every common battalion of French foot; which made in all 29,620 men. About the same time an augmentation was made in the dragoons, which made up every regiment four squadrons of 640 men ; making in all 2560 men. In the month of December of the same year 1755, an augmentation was also made in the horse, of ten men in a company; in all 5560 men. The royal volunteers, and Fischer's corps, were also augmented; we do not exactly know to what number, but, according to our advices, this augmentation came to 680 men, or thereabouts. These several augmentations amounted to 38,420 men; and consequently the French army (without reckoning the militia and the invalids, above 67,000) was composed of 169,000 men. They raised two new regiments in the country of Leige; but, notwithstanding that, their regular troops were under 200,000 men. Paid off within that pe- The islands of Minorca and Corsica, with the colonies in America, took up 25,000 men at least; they embarked in the spring 3 or 4000 men for different services in the two Indies; marshal d'Estrées Amount in Jan. 1758 army, if the regiments had been complete, would have amounted to 92,000 men; marshal Richlieu's 32,665. A body of 6 or 7000 men must also be reckoned, which they were obliged to keep in garrison at Toulon, Marseilles, Cette, Antibes, &c. According to this calculation then, there were 160,000 regular troops employed; there will remain above 40 000 men for all the garrisons, from Sedan to the frontiers of Switzerland, as also for those of Rousillon and Guienne, without speaking of Flanders and the coast. Increase in the burials this year 441. Whereof have died, Under two years of age. Between two and five £. s. d. 74,780,886 8 2 3,000,000 0 0 77,780,886 8 2 500 0 0 77,780,386 8 2 The amount of supplies granted by Parliament for the service of 1758, 10,486,4571. 1758, Jan. 1. His Majesty according to annual custom, ordered 1000l. to be distributed among the poor of the parishes of St. Margaret, and St. John's, St Mary le Strand, St. Paul's, Covent Garden, St. Clement Danes, St. Anne's, Westminster, St. George's, Hanover Square, and St. James's. A fine equestrian statue of his Majesty king George II. by Van Nost, was erected on St. Stephen's-green, Dublin. A large detachment of matrosses marched from Woolwich for Portsmouth, to go on board the transports to sail for North America; major general Abercrombie, who was to relieve lord Loudon, with the several officers that had lately been promoted for the American service, were all to embark on board the men of war employed in this new expedition, the command of which was given to admiral Bos cawen. Jan. 5. Her late royal highness princess Caroline, was interred in the royal vault, 7095 in Henry VIIth's chapel, with the usual 2411 funeral honours. 948 Jan. 13. A cup and salver, intended to 687 be presented to captain Lockhart, was sent 1695 this day to Lloyd's, to be viewed by the 1906 merchants. It was curiously chased and 1906 embossed, with the seven French priva1710 teers, his own ship and arms. The salver 1418 was twenty-six inches diameter, with the 1024 following inscription: N "The gift of the two public companies, the underwriters and merchants of the city of London, to captain JOHN LOCKHART, commander of the Tartar, for his signal service, in supporting the trade, by distressing the French privateers in the year 1757." Jan. 16. The honourable House of Commons met, pursuant to their adjournment on the 22d ult. Jan. 17. Sir Charles Hardy hoisted his flag on board the Captain man of war, in order to sail immediately for New York. In consequence of a message from his Majesty, the House of Commons granted 100,000 to the king of Prussia, to be taken immediately out of the supplies of last year unapplied, and to be remitted with all possible dispatch. Jan. 21. A court martial was held on board the Newark, for the trial of 15 mutineers belonging to the Namur man of war, who all received sentence of death. SHERIFFS APPOINTED FOR THE PRESENT YEAR. Berkshire, Samuel Bowes, esq. Hertfordshire, J. Robinson Lytton, esq. Herefordshire, William Cope Gregory, esq. Kent, Thomas Whittaker, esq. Leicestershire, Shuckburgh Ashby, esq. Surrey, Edmund Shallett, esq. Sussex, J. Goble, esq. Warwickshire, William Dilk, esq. Worcestershire, C. Trubshaw Withers, esq. Wiltshire, Thomas Bennett, esq. SOUTH WALES. Anglesea, John Griffith, esq. Brecknockshire, Henry Mitchell, esq. Caermarthenshire, Rees Prytherch, esq. Cardiganshire, Abel Griffiths, esq. Caernarvonshire, Zacheus Jones, esq. Denbighshire, Robert Wynne, esq. Flintshire, William Davies, esq. Glamorganshire, Edward Matthew, esq. Merionethshire, William Wynne, esq. Montgomeryshire, John Lloyd, esq. Pembrokeshire, John Adams, esq. Radnorshire, Daniel Davies, esq. Jan. 29. His Majesty's ships Prince Frederick, Dublin, and Juno, sailed from Portsmouth with fifteen sail of transports with troops on board for New York. Feb. 5. All the estates and effects of the jesuits in the kingdom of Portugal were sequestered and an inventory of all the estates, moveable and immoveable, money, jewels, &c. of that society was taken, each of whom was allowed but ten sols a day for his subsistence. Feb. 19. About three o'clock this morning, admiral Boscawen sailed from St. Helen's in his Majesty's ship Namur of 90 guns; with the Royal William of 84; Princess Amelia of SO; Lancaster of 74; Trent of 36; Shannon of 36; Gramont of 24; and the Etna and Lightning fire ships; the Invincible of 74 guns, of the above fleet, missing her stays, ran ashore on a flat between the Dane and the Horse of Langdon harbour, to the east of St. Helen's, and, notwithstanding all the assistance that could be given, was lost. By an authentic list it appears that there passed through Islington turnpike for Smithfield market, from January 1, 1754, to January 1, 1755, oxen 28,602, sheep 267,565; and from January 1, 1757 to January 1, 1758, oxen 30,952, sheep 200, 180. By which it appears, that there was a decrease of more than 67,000 sheep in the last year, and an increase only of about 2000 oxen, which is by no means a just proportion. Feb. 20. Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick was joined by prince George of Holstein, with a body of Prussian horse, on whose arrival the whole army was put in [A. D. 1758.] GEORGE II. motion; the main army reached the confines of Verden, when the castle of Rottenberg surrendered, after six hours resistance, and the garrison of about 150 men were made prisoners of war. Feb. 23. The enemy quitted Ottersberg, leaving behind them all their artillery and ammunition. Verden was seized, and the French were preparing to evacuate Zell. On the approach of the advanced guard, they left Bremen, and his serene highness the general immediately took possession of it. The same day the prince being informed that the French general, count de Chabot, was posted with a considerable detachment at Hoya, a strong fort upon the river Weser, gave orders to the hereditary prince of Brunswick to repair thither with two battalions of Hanoverians, and two of the Brunswick troops, together with a few hundred chasseurs, hussars, and light troops, in order to dislodge the enemy from that post. As they had but one float, the passage of the troops took up much time. Feb. 26. The two generals, the marquis d'Armentieres, and the marquis de Rochepine, together with the garrison, evacuated the town of Zell. Feb. 28. The prince de Clermont, did the same at Hanover, observing good discipline, and without the least plunder. He distributed to the poor the corn and meal which remained in the magazines, whilst those, who commanded at Brunswick, burned all the provisions. The Foudroyant and Orphée men of war were taken by admiral Osborne. March 1. His grace the duke of Richmond ordered a room at Whitehall to be opened for the use of those who study painting, sculpture, and engraving, which contained a large collection of original plaister casts from the best antique statues and busts at Rome and Florence: where any painter, sculptor, carver, or other artist, had liberty to draw, or model, at any time; and upon application to the person that had the care of them, any particular figure be placed in such light as the artist should desire. And any young man or boy, above the age of twelve years, had the same liberty, by a recommendation from any known artist. March 5. Surat was taken by the English. March 9. The heavy artillery having arrived, the bombardment of Minden began, and the garrison, after making an unsuccessful sally in order to procure provisions, offered to capitulate upon honourable terms, which was rejected. 91 All the effects of the jesuits in France were sequestered till the eight millions they were condemned to pay to the heirs of a gentleman in the East Indies (of whose effects they had fraudulently got possession) be discharged, the interest of which, ever since they have had possession, will at least double the sum. March 11. At seven o'clock this morning Sir Edward Hawke, in his Majesty's ship Ramillies, got under sail at Spithead, with the following ships under his command, viz. Newark of 80 guns; Torbay of 80; Alcide of 74; Interpid of 64; and Union of 64. The admiral did not come too at St. Helen's, but having a fair wind, kept on his course, and in a few hours was out of sight. Mr. Henry Raine, of St. George's Middlesex, having in his life time, built and endowed an hospital, for forty girls taken out of the charity school, and maintained by his will, dated October 17, 1736, bequeathed 40007. in 3 per cent, annuities to trustees to accumulate, and improve the growing dividends, until the same should produce yearly 2101. to be disposed of in marriage por tions to two maidens brought up in his hospital, viz. (1001. and 51. for a wedding-dinner for each) who should have continued there four years, attained the age of twenty-two, and be best recommended by the masters or mistresses whom they may have served, for piety, industry, and constant conformity to the established church. The trustees gave notice, that the sum destined for this laudable purpose was.completed, and by an advertisement summoned the maidens educated in the said hospital, to appear on the 4th of next month, ́ with proper certificates of their past beha viour and present circumstances, in order that six may be elected of the most deserving, to draw lots on the first of May for the prize of 100l. to be paid on the 5th of November following as her marriage portion, to an honest man, a member of the church of England, residing in the parishes of St. George, St. Paul, Shadwell, or St. John, Wapping, and approved by the trus tees; at which time another girl was added to the five who had drawn blanks before; and to her who then drew the prize of 100%. was paid on her marriage the first of May following; the remaining five continued entitled to a chance twice in every year, when a new candidate is admitted, that every girl educated in this hospital, and careful of her character, may have a chance for this noble donation. March 14. Minden was taken by the French. By the capitulation the garrison, N 2 |