♦ * riA «» A o *^a -$ * jA «» A, r ^^> "C * fT ^<3* : , £■ ^ : » „ < # * °'.^ ?5 9* ^o< - . ^ ^ V ,3 5, ■* +P -\/ lN £ 9* *F V * b& V^ ^M aV ft \£ : r M£\%^ & ^ ./V^ %. * £ 9* W & ^ :, "W ^$ ° ^ ^^ - \& \\^ ' * ° ' ■>& o° <- " * ° ' * <** c5» ^ C T ^ V . , ^ Q V Y * , <^ >v « * jA s» A. ^ -a ~ "' aV .rv- f ** S «V*. v*n O^' ^, Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from The Library of Congress http://www.archive.org/details/newtabletofmemorOOreid THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY; * OR, RECORDER OF REMARKABLE EVENTS, COMPILED, AND ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. BY WILLIAM D. REIDER. Time in advance, behind him hides his wings, And seems to creep decrepid, with his age; Some years pass'd by — what then is seen ? — That his broad pinions are fleeter than the wind." * * * Time — mysterious chronicler! Knows not mutation ; — centuries Are to his being as a day, and days are centuries. H. K, White. PUBLISHED BY JOHN CLEMENTS, 21 and 22, LITTLE PULTENEY STREET. 184L v\\ f \ t — : , London * Printed by John Smith, 49, Long Acre. - Bt&fratfoit* 4 TO , JOHN SMITH, ESQ. Si r, With feelings of sincere gratitude for the interest you have evinced in my welfare, by affording me the means of bringing this Work, the result of considerable labour and research, before the Public, I most respectfully dedicate it to you, as a slight token of the sentiments of respect and esteem that I, in common with all who may have the happiness to become known to you, must ever entertain. I beg leave to subscribe myself, Sir, Your greatly obliged Servant, W. D. R EIDER. PREFACE. The Compiler of this Work had no intention originally of laying it before the public, having been commenced with a view of filling up a portion of his leisure hours; but submitting it to his friends, a hint was given, that if printed in its present form, it might, most probably, be favourably received. The Compiler perfectly agrees with the observation made by an eminent writer- 1 -" That the Public have a right to re< " quire of him who addresses them through the Press, and " thereby calls upon them to sacrifice a portion of their time " and attention, to render some account of his pretensions.'' The Compiler, therefore, begs leave to reply to the justness of that remark. The New Tablet of Memory, or Recorder of Re- VI PREFACE. markable Events, is comparatively of modern date: the writers of former days seeming to have been ignorant of the mode of recording the various circumstances that have transpired at different periods of time by dates. Even Homer, one of our greatest writers, has nothing like a Calendar to be found among his many productions ; and centuries seem to have passed, ere the invention of noticing the many occurrences of times past, by dates, came into use ; and even when authorities such as — Julius Africanus, Eusebius of C^isaria, George Cyncelle, &c. &c. had adopted the plan, they were not always to be depended on ; for, by neglecting to pay particular attention to the precise time of every event, the most fabulous accounts were handed down in future Records, and hence is to be attributed the frequent contradictions which are to be found on referring to Chro- nological Records. The Compiler having devoted above thirty of the earlier years of his life to the recording of passing events, begs to submit his Work to an indulgent Public, in the hope that, from the novel mode he has adopted of giving briefly a few particulars relating to some of the most interesting events, it will not be found wholly uninteresting. The use of such a Work will not be denied ; and if, after the most unwearied exertions in the course of compilation, the writer shall have succeeded in producing a Work in the least PREFACE, Vll interesting to the general reader, and the admirer of useful information, his efforts have not been in vain ; — for " 'Tis not in mortals to command success ; But we'll do more — deserve it. " In the compilation of a Work like the present, some errors will unavoidably occur ; but the Compiler hopes they will be of little consequence in the consideration of the utility of — The Tablet of Memory. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY; OH, SECTION I.— General Events. Abbeys and monasteries pillaged, 1069 Several Abbeys and Monasteries were pillaged of their plate and jewels, in the reign of William the Conqueror. One hundred were suppressed by Order of Council, 1414. Ten thousand Friars and Nuns turned out of the monas- teries in 1535. Monasteries dissolved by Henry VIII. to the value of £2,853,000. in 1540. Suppressed by the Emperor of Germany, 1785 ; and in France, 1790. ABBOTS, Execution of, 1539 They were the Abbots of Glastonbury, Reading, and St. John's. The Abbot of Glastonbury had such power, that not even a bishop, or aprince, was allowed to enter into the Abbey without leave of its owner, to whom this power was granted by Canute the Pane. There were 61 Abbots of this place, who sat among 1 the Barons in Parliament, and governed it successively for nearly 6)0 years. Richard Withing, the last, was, for refusing to surrender his Abbey to Henry VIII. and acknowledge his supremacy, condemned at Wells, and carried with two of his monks, on a hurdle to the Tor, or, St. Michael's tower, a high hill in the neighbourhood, where he was hanged in his robes. His head was stuck up over the gate of his abbey : and his body quartered, was exposed in like manner at Bath, Wells, Bridgewater, and Ilchester, ACHILLES, (The Statue of,) placed in Hyde Park, 1822 This statue, cast from the cannon taken on the victories of Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse, and Waterloo, was placed here on the anniversary of the battle last named. The weight of the statue is about 34 tons ; the height, some- what more than eighteen feet ; and erected on a grey granite; and the whole is 36 feet high. Owing to the immense weight, it was conveyed to its destined place by pieces of wood, in the form of rollers : and a portion of the Park wall taken down to admit of this ponderous Figure, the entrance to the Park being too small to admit it. A subscription of £10,000. was set on foot by the ladies of England, in order to erect this monument to British valour. It was, soon after its erection, found necessary to enclose it, to protect it from injury by idle, and evil-disposed persons. ACT, the Test and Corporation, repealed, 1828 ACT, The Adelphi Lottery, passed 1773 ACT, an, for uniformity of Weight, 1826 The Act for the uniformity of Weights and Measures, came into operation on the 1st of January, in the above-named year. No. 1- B THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. ADULTERY, the crime of, made capital 1 650 AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, Treaty of, October 7, 1748 By the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, a restitution of all places taken during the war was to be made on all sides. It was re-taken by the French troops in 1792; but they were driven from it by the Austrians, March 3, 1793. — Again, September 21, 1794. AFFIRMATION, (The Quaker's) first accepted as an Oath 1702 AFRICA conquered by Belisarius 533 AIR BALLOONS, invented by Gusuido a Jesuit 1729 AIR PUMPS, invented by Otto Gueruke, of Magdeburg ... 1654 AIR GUNS, ditto 1646 ALDGATE, Church yard of, dreadful Accident at 1838 Thomas Oakes, the grave-digger at the Churchyard above mentioned, met with his death from the foul air arising from a grave he was about to descend ; and Edward Luddott, a fishmonger at Billingsgate, in his generous effort to render him assistance in his perilous situation, unfortunately shared the same fate» ALLEGIANCE, the Oath of, first administered, 1606 Altered in 1689. ALERT PACKET, (The), loss of, April 23, 1823 The Alert' Packet, from London to Liverpool, was lost on the Welch coast, when 130 persons were drowned. ALESSANDRA, in Italy, seized by the French, 1798 Surrendered to the Austrians and Prussians, July 24, 1799. ALEXANDER, (The), English Man of War, of 74 guns, taken by the French, October 11, 1794 ALIENS, forbidden to hold Church Livings 1430 The Jury, for the trial of an Alien, is by law, composed of half foreigners. Pre- vented] from exercising any trade or handicraft by retail, 1483. Alien Bill passed, January 4, 1793. ALLIED SOVEREIGNS, (The), visit England, 1814 The Emperor of Russia, and King of Prussia, landed at Dover, from France, on the 7th of June, and remained until the 27th of the same month. They were splendidly entertained by the Prince Regent, the Lord Mayor of London, the University of Oxford, &c, and witnessed a Review of the Fleet at Portsmouth. The following distinguished persons were also in England at the same time, viz.: — The son of the King of Prussia, (Prince Henry), of Orange, of Mecklenburgh, of Bavaria, of Oldenburgh, and Metternich ; the Grand Duchess of Oldenburgh; Generals Bulow, Yorck, and Barclay de Tolli; Prince Blucher; and the Hetman Platoff. The city of London pre- sented the three last with swords, of the value of 200 guineas each. ALMANAC, the first one printed at Constantinople was, in 1806 Almanacks are of very ancient date, and were constructed so far back as the time of Ptolemy. Those of Regiomontanus, appeared about 1475, and 1506, and since that time, they have become more numerous. The Almanacks of the above-named author, which only contained the Eclipses, and the places of the different planets, were at one time sold, it is said, for ten crowns of gold. Engel of Vienna published an Almanac, from 1491 to 1500, with those of Bernard de Granolechs, of Barcelona, from 141(3 ; besides which, there are various M.S. Almanacs, of the 14th century in the British Museum, and of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY; d Buret de Montbrison, published the first Astronomical Almanacs in Fiance, and which he continued till 1700. In 1579, Henry III. restricted makers of Almanacs from prophesying of the State, or of individuals, directly or indirectly. A monopoly of the trade of Almanacs was granted by James 1. to the Universities, and the Stationers' Company : and Astrology undoubt- edly flourished under their patronage until after the early part of the 19th century, but not unopposed. In 1775, the imagined legal right of Almanac monopoly was destroyed by the determined oppositon of a bookseller named Caman, to the supposed exclusion of any other individual to enjoy it. Upon the question of right being brought before the Court of Common Pleas, it was decided against the Company: upon which Lord North brought a Bill into the House of Commons to renew the privilege. After ,an able argument by Erskine, (who contended for the public right) the House set aside the project by a majority of 45. The defeated monopolists, however, contrived once more to regain their imagined right. But the British Almanac, published by the Society of Useful Knowledge, in 1828, with numerous others, are fast diminishing the quantity of the Stationers' Almanac. The Almanac duty abolished in 1834. ALTHORP, Lord, and Mr. SHIEL, committed to the custody of the Serjeant at Arms, Feb. 5, 1834 The altercation which led to the arrest, sprung out of the discussion on the question, " Who is the traitor?" A Committee of Inquiry afterwards acquitted Mr. Shiel. ALUM, first discovered in Mines, in Tuscany 1460 First brought to perfection in England, 16,08. Discovered in Ireland, October 22, 1757. In Anglesea, 1790. AMBASSADORS, first sent to England by the Czar of Russia, 1556 The first Ambassador sent to Turkey, was from England, in 1636. The Portu- guese, arrested for debt, 1653. The Russian, arrested by a lace merchant, when a law was passed for their protection in future, in 1709. The first that arrived in Europe, from India, was from Tippoo Saib, to France, 1778. The first from the Ottoman Emperor, arrived in London, in Dec. 1793. AMBOYNA, Dutch cruelties to the English at, 1623 The Dutch having established factories on this island in the beginning of the seventeenth century, perfidiously massaaied the whole of the English settlers, and seized the island for themselves. It was, however, taken by the British in the course of the last war. AMERICA, discovery of, by Columbus, 1492 America took its name from America Vespucius, a Florentine, who having accom- panied Ojeda, a Spanish adventurer thither, and drawing up an amusing history of his voyage, insinuated therein, that he had first discovered that continent. But it was, no doubt, made by Columbus, a Geneose, a bold adventurer, a patriot, and a humane man. In 1765, Bills were passed for laying a Stamp duty on the British colonies in America, which laid the foundation of the quarrel between the colonies and the mother country, and ended in a total separation. This measure was no sooner known in America, than insurrections commenced there, and great murmurings at home: in consequence of which the Ministery retired, and the Act was repealed. New- duties were afterwards laid on paper, glass, tea, and other articles in America, on which the colonies revolted, and flew to arms. On the 19th of April, 1775, General Gage detached a party to seize some military stores at Concord, in New England, when several skirmishes took place, many were killed on both sides, and the British troops would, in all probability, have been cut off, had not a fresh reinforcement arrived to support them. The first genera] action which happened in America, between the King's troops and the Provincials, was at Lexington, ib. In the same year, took place the celebrated battle of Bunker's Hill, in which 300 British officers and soldiers 4 THi-: NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. were killed. In 1776, Boston was bombarded. The Congress declare the Americans free and independent States, ib. The Americans driven from Long Island, New York, with great loss ; and the City is afterwards taken possession of by the King's troops, ib. October 3, 1777, General Howe took possession of Philadelphia; and Lieut. -Gen. Burgoyne was obliged to surrender his army, at Saratoga, in Canada, to the American Generals, Gates and Arnold, October 17. A treaty of alliance was concluded at Paris, between the French king, and the American Colonies, in which their inde- pendence is acknowledged by the Court of France, Feb. 6, 1778. Early in the month of June, the Commissioners, the Earl of Carlisle, William Eden, Esq. and George Johnstone, Esq. arrived at Philadelphia, as Commissioners for restoring Peace between Great Britain and America, 1778. The Congress refuse to treat with the British Commissioners, unless the inde- pendence of the American Colonies were first acknowledged, and the King's fleet and armies withdrawn from America, ib. In 1783, provisional article* between England and America were made publicly known, and his Britannic Majesty at length acknowledged the independence of the whole of the Thir- teen United States of North America, and agreed to relinquish all claim to the right of governing them in future; so that, these very people, who but a short time before were denounced as contemptible rebels, were no longer to be treated as such, but as the future allies of England. On the 30th of November, 1783, the American Colonies were pronounced independent ; and on the 3rd of September, 1783, the Definitive Treaty of Peace with the Americans was ratified. AMIENS, the Peace of, between England and France, 1802 AMPHION FRIGATE, The, destruction of, September 22, 1796 The loss of the Amphion frigate was occasioned by her being blown up at Plymouth, and, in consequence of this dreadful occurrence, the whole of the crew unfortunately perished. AMSTERDAM, taken possession of by the French, Jan. 18, 1795 ANGLO SAXONS, first landed in Britain 449 ANHOLT, The Island of, attacked by the Danes, May 27, . 1811 The above island was attacked by a force of 4000 men, and repulsed by a British of ONE hundred and FIFTY ! after a close engagement of four hours. ANIMAL MAGNETISM, made its appearance in France, 1784 The practice of Animal Magnetism, or Mesmerism, as it was sometimes called from its inventor, Mesmer, exploded by the report of a Commission ap- pointed by the king of France to investigate its merits, consisting of four Physicians and five Members of the Academy of Sciences, including, among the latter, the celebrated Franklin, and no less celebrated Lavoisier. Mesmer affirmed, that Animal Magnetism was a fluid universally diffused, commu- nicable from person to person, and capable of curing all the diseases inci- dental to humanity; and Monsieur Deslon, a pupil of his, undertook to demonstrate its existence and properties to the Commissioners. After a great variety of experiments, however, the Commissioners agreed in unani- mously ascribing all the virtue possessed by this new panacea to the imagi- tion alone. A number of individuals were first operated upon with their eyes open, and, being afterwards blindfolded, were made to believe that the same operation was repeated when it was not. The result was, that the patients as often experienced strange effects when Magnetism was not used as when it was. The system has been recently attempted to be revived in Paris and London ; but only to be once more scouted as a combination of trickery and imposture. ANNOINTING first used at a Coronation in England 872 In Scotland, 1097. ANNUITIES for life regulated - 1777 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. O ANNUITIES, (or Pensions) first granted 1512 An annuity of £20. was given to a lady of the Court, for services done ; £6. 13s, 4d. forthe maintenance of a gentlewoman, 1536; and* £13. 6s. 8d. a competent sum to support a gentleman in the study of the law, 1554. ANTWERP, The City of, taken by the French 1792 Again March 26, 1793, by the Austrians, who found 93 pieces of cannon. — Again by the French, 1794. In the month of October, 1832, Antwerp was again destined to be the scene of bloodshed. On the 28th of that month, the advanced squadron of the French fleet arrived at Spithead, from Cher- bourg, to join the English fleet. Sailed from Portsmouth, for the coast of Holland, November 4, ib. An Order in Council issued for laying an embargo on all ships and vessels belonging to the subjects of the King of the Netherlands, in any port in the dominions of His Britannic Majesty, November 7, ib. Intelligence received in the City of the French army having appeared before Antwerp, November 20, ib. Heavy cannonade commenced against the Citadel, which was returned, but no damage done. Fort Laurent taken by the besiegers, December, ib. Citidel of Antwerp capitulated, and surrendered to the French, by General Chasse, Dec. ib. APPEALS to the Pope first made 1138 They were forbidden, in 1532. APOLLO FRIGATE, (The) loss of 1804 The Apollo Frigate was lost off Portugal, in consequence of which, the greatest paitof the crew perished, April 2. APOTHECARIES, exempted from Civil Offices 1702 ARCTIC EXPEDITION, The, first sailed and returned .. . 1818 ARMORIAL BEARINGS introduced into England 1 100 Armorial Bearings were invented by Henry the Fowler, Emperor of Germany. Pope Clement IV. died in 1268, and was the first person on whose tomb- stone arms were engraved. Charles V. ennobled the citizens of Paris, in 1311, and permitted them to use coats of arms. Pietra Sanita first thought of expressing the tinctures in armorial bearings, by marks, about 1590. They were first used to distinguish the nobility in battle. Taxed 1798. Again in 1808. ARMS, of England and France, quartered by Edward III. . 1358 The French arms were discontinued by the English Kings, January 1, 1801. Again altered, in consequence of the death of William IV. Queen Victoria being the successor of William IV. was excluded from the title of Queen of Hanover, in conformity with the interdict of the Salique Law, which enacts, " That none but males shall be allowed to sit on the throne of Hanover. " The same law is also observed in France ;-the Hanoverian horse is in conse- quence erased in the English Arms. It was confirmed in~the__r£ign of Pha- ramond, 424; first quoted, 1327. ARMY, the first standing one, in 1445 The first standing army, established in France, was by Charles VII. ARRESTS, Act to prevent vexatious ones, 1733 On the 17th of May, in the above year, an Act was passed to prevent vexatious, or litigious arrests. Again in 1779, when it was enacted, that no one should be arrested for less than £10.; and in 1810, again forbidden, under £20. or, on a Bill of Exchange, for £15. ASTURIAS, the Province of, rises against the French, May 30 1808 The province of Asturias having risen against the French, the Spanish prisoners in England were released, and assistance was promised by the English. 6 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY- ASYLUM, The Perth Lunatic burnt, May 9 1837 ATT1LA, (surnamed the Scourge of God) with his Huns, ravages the Roman Empire 447 AUCTION, the first in England about 1700 Elisha Yale, a Governor of Fort George, in the East Indies, made an auction of the goods he brought home with him. AURORA FRIGATE, (The) lost 1771 The Aurora was never heard of after. BAILEY, (Old) gaol distemper at 1772 The Old Bailey Sessions of this year proved exceedingly fatal to the Lord Mayor, one Alderman, two Judges, the greatest part of the Jury, and a vast number of the spectators, who caught the gaol distemper, May, 1750. Again fatal to several, in 1772. BAILEY, (Old) New Central Court at, established 1834 BAKERS incorporated in London 1307 BALLAST of the River Thames monopolized by Charles I. . 1636 BALLOONS, revived in France, by Montgolfier 1783 Two brothers, of the name of Montgolfier, residing at Annonay, a town of France, discovered, in 1782, the use of rarified air in floating Balloons, by a fire place suspended under them ; and on the 27th of August, 1783, they ascended in one at Paris. In another of these machines, absolutely left to itself, the Marquess d'Arlandes and M. Pilatre Rosier (who in the sequel unfortunately lost his life in one of these adventurous attempts) made an aerial voyage at Paris, ascending to the height of 3000 feet, on the 21st of November, 17S3. This machine was called Montgolfier, in honour of the inventors, and to distinguish them from balloons filled with inflammable air, in which, likewise, many perilous voyages were performed. On the 25th of November, 1783, Count Zambecarri, an Italian, made a descent from Woolwich. September, 15, 1784, M. Lunardi ascended in his balloon from Moorfields. January 7, 1785, Mr. Blanchard, and Dr. Jeffries, went from Dover to Calais in two hours. That intrepid asronaut Garnerin, made his second descent in this country, from Lord's Cricket Ground, on the 5th of July, 1802. He was accompanied by Edward Hawke Locker. His R. H.the Prince of Wales, and several ladies of distinction were present on the occa- sion. The balloon ascended in the most majestic manner; and having travelled a space of seventeen miles, they descended at five minutes past five o'clock, without the slightest injury, at Chingford, nearEpping Forest. Mr. Sadler of Bristol, ascended from Hackney, near London, in 1811: and crossed the Irish channel in 1812. The last balloon constructed by Mr. Sadler, was the largest ever made, and the car is capable of containing 75 persons. On the 21st of September, 1836. Mr. Green made an ascent in his new grand balloon. This stupendous machine was constructed under the immediate superintendence of Mr. Green, and is 157 feet in circumference ; the extreme height of the whole, when inflated, and the car attached, is 80 feet. It is formed of 200 yards of crimson and white silk, imported in the raw state from Italy, expressly for the purpose, and was dyed by Mr. Jaques, and manuafctured by Mrs. Soper of Spitalfields. It will contain 70,000 cubic feet of gas; and the weight of atmospheric air, sufficient to inflate it, is about 5,346 lbs. It is capable of carrying nine persons, which was the case on this ascent, viz.: — Mr. Hiddyard, Captain Currie, Mr. Holland, Mrs. Green, Miss Green, Mr. Gye, and Mr. W. Hughes, (sons of the proprietors), Mr. James Green, (brother of Mr. Green), and Mr. Green himself. The above completed Mr. Green's 221st ascent. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 7 BANDS (for Lawyers) first used 1652 The clergy commenced wearing them in 1652. BANKRUPT COURT, (The New) established, January 11 1832 The New Bankrupt Court was opened under the New Bankrupt Act, and the Judges appointed under the same, proceeded with the other Judges to West- minster Hall, to open the Term, with the usual formalities. BANK, Morland and Co.'s, stopped payment, March 20 ... 1832 BANKERS. Previous to the establishment of Banks, the Merchants lodged their money in the Mint, till the King made free use with it, in 1640; they next kept it in their houses, but they were robbed by their servants, who ran to the army, and where they were protected ; after this, it was lodged with the gold- smiths, who paid them 4d. per diem, per Cent. (£6. 0s. 5d. per Ann.) and lent it to others at a higher interest, and thereby became the first regular hankers in England, abont 1645. BARBERS. The profession of a baiber was first brought from Sicily to Rome, 299 years before Christ. They were incorporated with the surgeons of London, 1540, and separated again in 1744. BAROMETERS invented 1626 Wheel ditto, 1668; pendant ditto, 1695; marine ditto, 1700. BARTHOLOMEW FAIR, had its Charter granted, by Henry II. Bartholomew Fair, the Chaiter of which was held under a grant of Henry 11. was confirmed by the Charters of succeeding monarch s, all of whom limited its duration to three days, except the Charter of Charles I. which does not appear to specify any particular limit of time. The Fair was granted by Henry to the Priory of St. Bartholomew, to be held yearly at Bartholomew tide (the 24th of August) for three days, viz. the eve, the day, and the morrow, to which the clothiers of England, and the drapers of London repaired, and had their standings within the Churchyard of this Priory, closed in with rails, the gates of which were locked every night, and watched, for the safety of men's goods and wares. The ceremony of the Lord Mayor opening the Fair, has continued every year. In 1750, Bartho- lomew Fair was restrained, owing to the falling of a booth, which killed and wounded several persons. The toll was abolished in 1755. BARRISTERS appointed by Edward 1 1291 BASTARD CHILDREN, concealing the death of, made murder 1624 BATH STAGE WAGGON, The, burnt, May 20 1758 This unfortunate event took place on Salisbury Plain, by the wheels taking fire, whereby the whole of its valuable lading was consumed. BATH, (Knights of the) grand dinner given to, at St James' Palace, April 12 1831 The Knights of the Bath, a militaiy Order in England, instituted by Richard II. who limited their number to four; but his successor, (Henry IV.) increased them to forty-six. Their motto was, tres in uno : signifying the three theological virtues. This Order received its denomination from a custom of bathing, before they received the golden spur. The Order of the Bath, after remaining many years extinct, was revived under George I. by a solemn creation of a great number of Knights. The ceremonies at the creation of a Knight have been various: the principal was a box on the ear, and a stroke with a sword on the shoulder : they put on him a shoulder belt, a gilt THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. sword, spurs, and other military accoutrements : being thus armed, he was led to the church. Camden describes it, — that the person kneeling, was gently struck on the shoulder by the Prince, and accosted in these words ; — " Rise, and be a Knight, in the name of God." The Order was divided into three Classes: — 1st. Knights Grand Crosses; 2nd. Knights Commanders; and 3rd. Companions. BEHEADING of Noblemen first introduced into England . 1074 BELLS. The history of Bells is very ancient. We are told by Strabo, that market days were, formerly, announced by a bell ; and this custom is even now used in some parts of the country ; and Pliny also says, that the tomb of an ancient king was hung round with bells. Sheep, likewise had bells suspended from their necks, to frighten away the wolves ; in our own time, this custom is still kept. Paulinus, it is thought, was the first person who introduced bells in churches, in the year 400. The large bells were fiist mentioned by Bede, in the year 680; previous to that time, wooden rattles were made use of to call the followers of Christianity together. Hand bells were used as far back as the time of King David, and were suspended from a rail, or stand, and struck by small hammers. Bells "are also used to announce the arrival of any great personage, &c. &c. They were introduced into the Abbey of Croyland in 1109; the first Abbot of which, gave six bells to that monastery, viz. two great ones, which are named Bartholomew and Beladine: two of a middling size, called Turketullum and Beterine; and two small ones, called Pega and Bega. He also caused a great bell to be made, called Gudla, and tuned to the other bells, which produced a beautiful harmony scarcely equalled in England. It is a fact that, in the earlier time of Popery, bells were actually baptized with the holy oil: and these ceremonies being finished, it was the belief that they possessed the power of driving the devil out of the air, to still tempests, and keep away the Plague. This plan is still followed in some Roman Catholic countries, when they give the bells the name of some saint, and which was used to be done in England. The passing bell was rung for two purposes : one to bespeak the prayers of all good Christians for a soul just departing, the ether to drive away evil spirits who stood at the foot of the bed, or about the house : and possibly this was the cause of the high price demanded for tolling the greatest bell of the church, for that being the loudest, the evil spirit might go further off. Be this as it may, it is very frequeut in England, that the neighbours might pray for the person departed. The following are the weights of some of the bells in Europe : — Empress Anne's, Moscow lbs. 432,000 Boris Godihufs, ditto 288,000 Novogorod, (Great Bell) 70,000 Amboise Bell, (Rouen) 40,000 Vienna ditto, cast from Turkish cannon .... 40,200 Erfurt, Prussian Saxony 30,000 Great Tom of Oxford 18,000 St. Paul's, London 1 1,400 Ghent, Flanders 11,000 Great Tom of Lincoln 10,400 Worcester Great Bell 6,600 York 6,600 Gloucester 6,000 Dr. Clarke says, " The Great Bell of Moscow, the largest one ever founded, is in a deep pit in the midst of the palace of the Kremlin. It is said to have fallen, in consequence of a fire, from a beam to which it was fastened. But this is not the fact. The bell remains in the same place where it was originally cast. It never was suspended : the Russians might as well attempt to suspend a first-rate line-of-battle ship with all her guns THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. W BELLS, History of, (continued.) and stores. A fire took place in the Kremlin, the flames caught the building erected over the pit where the bell yet remains, in consequence of -which the metal became hot, and water being thrown on to extinguish the fire, fell upon the bell, causing the fracture which has taken place. The entrance is by a trap-door, placed even with the surface of the earth. The bell is truly a mountain of metal: and so great is the superstitious veneration of the natives, that they would not allow even a grain to be filed off. The peasants visit the bell on festival days, as they would resort to a church : considering- it an act of devotion, and crossing themselves as they descend and ascend the steps. Dr. Clarke was unable to measure the base, that being b -.tried in the eaith : but within two feet of its lower extremity, the cir- cumference was found to be 67 feet, 4 inches, and a half. The bottom of the pit is covered with water. In the stoutest part, its thickness is twenty-three inches. They were able to ascertain this by placing their hands under the water where the rent had taken place. The bell is supposed by Dr. Clarke to have been founded in 1653, during the reign of Alexis, although the Russians for the most part maintain that it was cast during the reign of their Empress, Anne. This great and powerful Princess succeeded Peter the Great on the throne in 1725. The Turks have a very great aversion to bells, and prohibit Christians the use of them at Constantinople, pretend- ing that the sound of them would be troublesome to the souls of the departed. BELLMAN, first appointed in London 1556 BENEFIT SOCIETIES' ACT passed 1795 BERMUDA ISLES discovered 1527 Settled in 1612. BIBLE. The translation of this sacred volume was begun very early in this kingdom, and some part of it was done even by king Alfred. Adelmus translated the Psalms into Saxon in 709 ; other parts were done by Edfrid, or Ecbert, in 730; the whole by Bede in 731. Trevisa published the whole in English in 1357. Tindal's was brought hither in 1534; revised andaltered in 1538; published with a preface of Cranmer's, in 1549. In 1551, another transla- tion was published, which being revised by several Bishops, was printed with their alterations in 1560. In 1613, a new translation was published by authority, which is that in present use. The Bible Society was instituted, in 1804, for the purpose of diffusing the Sacred Scriptures over the world. In this cause, it has laboured with astonishing diligence and success. BILL, great riot at Nottingham on account of the rejection of, for the relief of the frame- work knitters, June 10, 1779 Great riots commenced at Nottingham, in consequence of the rejection, by the House of Commons, of a Bill for regulating the wages of the frame-work knitters. A person of the name of Mephringham, who had been the leader of the rioters, was shortly afterwards tried on the capital charge of pulling down a dwelling house; and a resolution, of a very daring character, was taken by his confederate to save him. The only witness to the fact of his pulling down the house, was one Benjamin Lavers : and in the dead of the night, this Lavers was surprised in his bed by three men in disguise, blind- folded, and compelled by threats of instant death, in case of refusal, to accompany them. From Nottingham he was carried to Charnwood Forest, in Leicestershire, and thence into Essex : the party sleeping in copses or woods by the day, and travelling only by night. Nor was the prisoner restored to his home and family till his keepers received information of Mephringham's acquittal. BILL OF RIGHTS passed 1689 No. 2. c 20 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. BILLS OF EXCHANGE first mentioned 1160 Used in England, 1307 ; the only mode of sending money from England by Law, 1381: regulated, 1698; again 1705; made felony to counterfeit, 1734; taxed , 1788; advanced, 1797; again 1804, and 1814. BILLINGSGATE made a free Fishmarket, 1699 BIRTHS and DEATHS, registration of began to operate, July 1, 1837 BILLS OF MORTALITY, (for London) began 153S BISHOP, the first that suffered death by sentence of the Civil Power 1405 BISHOPS, (Seven) committed to the Tower, June 8 1688 In consequence of James endeavouring to restore Popery in England, the Bishops, in remonstrating with him on the impropriety of such an act, were tried, and committed to the Tower : on which the Prince of Orange invades Eng- land, and James is compelled to abdicate. He retired to France, where he died. BLACK ACT, (The) passed 1723 BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE begun 1760 Blackfriars bridge, built by Mr. Mylne, was begun in 1760, and completed in 1768. Its length is 995 feet; the breadth of the carriage-way 28; and of the foot-paths, 7 feet each. It consists of nine Elliptical arches, the centre one of which is 100 feet wide: and both this, and the arch on each side, are wider than the celebrated Rialto at Venice ; but decay is already too visible. This noble structure is built of Portland stone, and cost £158,000. BLANKETS first made in England 1340 The best blankets made, are at Witney, in Oxfordshire. BLANDFORD ASSIZES, loss of life by the distemper 1730 Blandford Assizes this year proved fatal to the Judges, Sheriff, &c. who died of the gaol distemper. BLISTER PLAISTERS, invented, b. c 60 BLOOD, circulation of through the lungs, made public 1553 The circulation of the blood through the lungs, was first made public by Michael Servetus, a Spanish physician. Csesalpinus, published an account of the general circulation, of which he had some confused ideas, and improved it afterwards by experiments, 1569; but it was fully confirmed by Harvey, in 1628 : Servetus discovered the circutus minor : Harvey, the circutus major. BOARD WAGES first commenced with the King' servants, in 1629 BOCCACIO, The Decameron of, sold June 17, 1812 A volume in small folio, printed in 1471, was knocked down to the Marquis of Blandford, at the sale of the Duke of Roxburghe's Library, for £2,260. BOHEMIA, Queen of, visits England, May 17 1661 She died in 1662. BOOK SELLING by Catalogue began 1676 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 11 BOOKS burnt at Constantinople 1476 By this Goth and Vandal-like act, books to the number of 200,000 were burnt at Constantinople, by the order of Pope Leo I. Above 4,194,412 volumes were in the suppressed monasteries of France in 1770; 2,000,000 were oil Theology; the Manuscripts were 26,000; in the city of Paris alone were 808, 120' volumes. BOxMBAY nearly destroyed by fire, Feb. 27 1803 At this tire, many lives were unfortunately lost. BOTTLE CONJUROR, imposition of, at the Haymarket Theatre 1748 BOTANY BAY, Settlement first sailed from England, March 21 1787 BOW BELLS. The citizens of London have ever been proud of the bells of Bow Church, and it was from their extreme fondness for them in old times, that a genuine cockney has ever been supposed to be born within the sound of Bow bell. In very early times a worthy citizen, John Downe, left to the parish of St. Maiy-le-Bow, two tenements in Hosier-lane, now Bow-lane, for the maintenance of the great bell; these tenements are still saved to the parish. And in 1460, by an order of Common Council, the bells were to be rung regularly at 9 p. m., and lights were to be exhibited in the steeple during the night, to direct the traveller towards the metropolis. The bells, steeple, and church, all shared the common fate in the Fire of London, in 1666; but on the steeple being finished by Sir Christopher Wren in 1670, part of £400. paid by the city to the united parishes for the site of All-hallows church and churchyard, on which to build the present Honey-lane market, was appropriated to a set of bells ; Dame Dyonis Wilkinson having given £2000. towards erecting and beautifying the steeple. The belfrey was prepared for twelve, but only eight were placed : these from their continual use got sadly out of order, and after various repairs, it was reported in 1739 that the great bell was cracked; however, the peal was made good at the expense of £290. : but in 1758, a petition was pre- sented to the Vestry from several most respectable citizens, setting forth that on all public occasions the bells of Bow are particularly employed, that the tenor bell is the completest in Europe, but the other seven are veiy much inferior, and by no means suitable to the said tenor. Your petitioners therefore request that they may be allowed at their own expense to recast the seven smaller bells, and to add two trebles : this the parish permitted, after an examination of the steeple by Dance and Chambers, the two ablest architects of the day, who reported " that such additional weight, nor any weight that can be put upon the steeple, will have any greater effect than the number of bells now placed there." The present bells being thus raised by subscription, were first rung on the 4th of June, 1762, the anniversary of the birth of the late George III. The weight of the bells is as follows : — Cwt. qr. lb. ,17 11 1st Cwt. qr. lb. « 3 7 6th 2nd 9 2 7th 3rd 10 1 4 8th 4th 12 7 9th 5th 13 24 10th 20 2 26 .24 2 5 .34 2 6 58 22 There has been some fear expressed that the use of the bells would endanger the steeple : but from an examination, it does not appear that there is any cause for alarm. BOYNE, The, Man of War, destroyed at Portsmouth, May 1 1795 The Boyne Man of War, of 98 guns, was unfortunately destroyed by her taking fire at Portsmouth. Great mischief was done by the explosion of the magazine. 12 THB NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. BREAD, high price of 1754 Theassize of Bread was first appointed in 1523. In the year 1754, the quartern loaf was sold for 4d: in 1757, it rose to lOd. : and in March, 1800, 1*. 5c/.; when new bread was forbid to be sold, under a penalty of 5.9. per loaf if the baker sold it until it was twenty-four hours old. In January, 1801, the quartern loaf sold for 1*. lid. In July, 1810, it sold for Is. 5d. In July, 1815, the assize on bread was repealed; and in July, 1823, it sold for lOd. BREMEN, explosion at, Seperaber 10 1739 This dreadful explosion was occasioned by gunpowder, and caused the destruc- tion of one thousand houses, and the deaths of forty persons. BREWHOUSE, accident at Meux's, October 17 1814 By this accident, several houses in the neighbourhood were destroyed by the deluge. Many lives were lost, and the damage done by the waste of beer was estimated at eight and nine thousand barrels. It was occasioued by the bursting of two large vats. BRIBERY at Elections illegal 1696 Bribery at Elections was forbidden by Law in 1696, 1729, and 1735. BRICKS and TILES, taxed 1781 BRITISH LEGION, (The) formed 1835 The British Legion was embodied under Colonel Evans, for the service of the Queen of Spain. BRITISH ARCHITECTS, Institute of, founded, June 15... 1835 BROAD SWORDS forbidden by Law to be worn in Edin- burgh, July 24 1724 BROTHEL in London, allowed in 1162 They were greatly suppressed in 1545. Tolerated in France, 1280. Pope Sextus IV. licensed one at Rome, and the prostitutes paid him a weekly tax, which amounted to 20,000 ducats a year, 1471 : another erected near London, and put under the management of the Bishop of Durham. There were similar Institutions in different parts of Europe. BROUGHTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE, accident at, April 12, 1831 This event took place at the time when a party of the 60th rifles, consisting of seventy officers and men were passing over it, which falling suddenly, severely wounded several of them. BROAD SEAL of England first used 1049 BUBBLES suppressed, June 11 1720 The Mississippi bubble in France ceased, June 27, 1720, when its amount was £100,000,000 sterling. BUCKLES invented 1680 BUILDING with stone, brought into England by Bennett, a Monk 670 Building with brick, was first introduced by the Romans into their provinces. Introduced into England, about 886. Again by the Earl of Arundel, 1600: London, at this time being mostly built of wood, presented a most unseemly appearance. In 1580, the increase of buildings in London, and also to within three miles of the city gates, was strictly forbidden by the mandate of Elizabeth: also, that but one family should dwell in a house, 1580. The buildings from High Holborn, north and south, and Great Queen street, built nearly on the spot where the Elms stood, or the ancient Tyburn, in the time . THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. IS of Edward III. were erected between 1607 and 1631. In 1772, the number of houses and its suburbs were computed at 122,930 ; in 1791, they amounted to above 200,000. In St. George's Fields above 20,000 have been erected since 1772. BUILDER'S ACT passed, 1764; amended 1766 BUILDINGS regulated by Law, 1764, 1770, and 1772 BULLION, of gold and silver, first method of assaying 1354 BULL BAITING, first at Stamford, in Lincolnshire 1209 At Tutbury, in Staffordshire, 1374. BULL FIGHTS in Spain first used 1560 BULL RUNNING, at Tutbury, in Staffordshire, instituted . 1374 BULLETS of stone used 1514 Those of iron first mentioned in the Fcedera, 1550 : red-hot, first used at the siege of Gibraltar. BURGESSES first constituted in Scotland 1326 BURGUNDY, Dukedom of established 890 The kingdom founded, 413: again in 814: united to the German Empire, 1035: disunited by a revolt, and divided into four sovereignties, in 1074: BURIALS first permitted in consecrated places 749 In churchyards, 758. BURIALS taxed 1695, 1783 BURMESE, The, commence hostilities against the British possessions in India 1825 The Burmese having commenced hostilities against the British possessions in India, were defeated in a series of actions. Peace was established with them, on condition of their ceding to the British Government two of their frontier provinces, and paying one crore of rupees towards the expenses of the war. BURNING GLASSES. Burning glasses and common mirrors, the discovery of attributed to Tshunhausen, a Lusatian baron, 1680. BURWELL, accident at, September 8, 1727 At the above date, a melancholy event took place there. A number of persons, among whom were several young ladies of fortune, being assembled in a barn, to witness the exhibition of a puppet show, the place took fire, by a careless accident, when only five persons out of 160 escaped. The bodies of the unfortunate deceased, were so horribly disfiguied by the fire, and the falling of the roof, &c. that it was not possible for their friends to recognize them, and they were obliged to be promiscuously interred in one large grave. A tablet was also erected in the church, to record the unfortunate circumstance. BUTTER annually sent to London, from Yorkshire, Cam- bridge, and Suffolk, amounts to 210,000 firkins. BUTTONS and BUTTONHOLES of cloth prohibited by law 1 721 14 THE NEW TABLET QF MEMORY. BYE-LAWS of Corporations restrained 1504 BYZANTIUM, now Constantinople, founded or built, b. c. . 715 CABLES, a method of making them, invented in 1792 By this invention, twei.ty men are enabled to do the work of 200. The machine is set in motion by sixteen horses, and the cable is of the dimension for the largest ships. CABINET COUNCIL, first instituted, April 1670 CABRIOLETS introduced into England 1823 The one-horse carriages, denominated cabriolets, were introduced into Englaed upon the model of those plying at Paris. CALCUTTA, 123 persons perished in the Black Hole at, June 20 1756 CALENDAR. The Roman Calendar, from which ours i' borrowed, was composed by Romulus, who made the year consist of no more than 304 days: Numa Pompilus cor- rected his error by making it consist of Twelve lunar months, of thirty and twenty-nine days alternately, which made 354 days: but being fond of an odd number, he added one day more, which made it 365 days : and that the civil year might equal the sun's motion, he added a month every second year. Julius Caesar, as a farther improvement, made the year consist of 365 days, and left the six hours to form a day, at the end of every fourth year, which was added to the month of February. This Calendar was called the Julian, or Old Style, in opposition to the New Style, introduced by Gregory XIII. who finding the Julian gone too forward, cut off ten days from the Calendar: and to remedy this defect for the future, left out one Bissextile day every 100 years, making every fourth hundred a Leap Year. By Act of Parliament, to remedy the inconveniences arising from the differences of Style, this kiugdom adopted the Gregorian, or New Style, by leaving out eleven days of the month of September, in the year 1752. The New French Calendar commenced on the 22nd of September, 1792. According to it, the year commences at midnight, the beginning of that day in which falls the true autumnal equinox for the Observatory of Paris. The year is divided into Twelve equal months of thirty days each : after which, five supplementary days are added, to complete the 365 days of the ordinary yeai : these five days do not belong to any month. Each month is divided into three decades of ten days each: distinguished by 1st. 2nd. and 3rd decade. In this Calendar, the months and days of them have new names, taken from the circumstances of the seasons : the first of the three months of the year, of which the autumn is composed, from the vintage, is called Vindmiaire : the second Brumaire, from the mists and low fog-s which take place from Octo- ber to November. There are other particulars respecting this Calendar, which it is not thought necessary to detail here, and which, indeed, can be learned only by an Almanack. This Calendar has been abolished by the French government, and the old one was resumed on the 1st of January, 1806. CALICO PRINTING, and the Dutch loom, introduced into Britain 1 676 CALICOES first made in Lancashire 1772 CALICO first imported by the East India Company 1631 CAMBRIDGE UN I VERSITY chartered 536 Cambridge, once a city called Granta, built by Carsiurus ; founded in 900; town burnt by the Danes, 1010; University revived. 1110; streets paved, 1410; THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 15 again, 1544; Chancellor's court established by Queen Elizabeth; refused a degree to a Papist recommended by the king, February, 1687 ; a Senate house built, 1722; installation of the Duke of Newcastle, 5th July, 1749: the Duke of Grafton, 1768 : the statue of the Duke of Somerset erected in the Senate house, the 14th of July, 1756 : of George III. 1765: paved and lighted, 1789. CAMERA OBSCURA invented 1514 CANAL, in China. This canal runs from Canton to Pekin, in a straight line, upwards of 806 miles, having seventy-five locks, and forty-one large cities on its banks, and above 10,000 vessels on its surface : finished in 980 : 30,000 men were employed, and forty-three years were occupied in its completion. CANALS, &c. in England. Navigable rivers, and canals to join rivers, first made by Henry I. 1134, when the Trent was joined to the Witham. The Thames made navigable to Oxford by Act of Parliament, 21 James 1. 1624. The Kennet navigation, from Reading to Newbury, 2 George I. 1715. The river Lea made navigable from Hertford to Ware, and so to London, 12 George II. 1739. From Droitwich to the Severn, 1756. In Caermarthen- shire, 1756. The Duke of Bridgewater's navigation began, 1758, and opened 17th June, 1761. Northamptonshire navigarion began, August 7, 1761. From the Severn, near Tilton bridge, 1766. From Wilden Ferry, in Staffordshire, 1766. From Stourbridge, 1776. From Birmingham to Bilston, 1768. From the Lea to Limehouse, 1770. From the Dee to Nantwich, 1772. From Skipton, 1773, to Oxford, 1775. From Hider's Green, 1766. From Stroudwater to the Severn, 1775. From Apedale, 1775. From Ches- terfield to the Trent, 1777. From Leeds to Liverpool, 1770: consolidated 1783. Trent and Mersey canal finished, 1772, extending ninety miles; enlarged 1783. From Stroud to the Thames, began 1783. From the Thames to Leachlade, 1783. From the Severn to Leachlade, 1789. From Oxford to Coventry, 1769 : completed 1790. Over the Tame, near Birmingham, and the Coventry canal, with the Birmingham, &c. completed, by which the inland navigation between London, Bristol, Liverpool, and Hull, was opened, July, 1790. From Hereford to Gloucester, had £50,000. subscribed, July, 1791 : began November following. The Kennet and Avon opened, 7th July, 1799. Thames to Fenny Stratford, 28th May, 1800. From Paddington to the Grand Junction, 1800. Thames to Croydon, in Surrey, 1810. CANDLES, tallow, began to be used about 1290 Previous to this, splinters of wood served for lights. There was not any idea of ■wax candles in 1300. CANON LAW first introduced into England 1140 CANTERBURY PALACE, robbed, October 11 1778 CAPS. In 1571, a law was enacted, that every person above seven years of age, should wear on Sundays and holidays a cap of wool, knit made, thickened and dressed in England, by some of the trade of cappers, under the forfeiture of three farthings for every day's neglect, excepting maids, ladies, and gentle- women: and likewise every lord, knight, and gentleman of twenty marks of land, and their heirs, and such as have borne offices of worship in any city, town, or place, and the Wardens of the London Companies. CARDS and DICE double taxed, April 8, 1756 Additional, 1789. CARDINAL, title of, began to be used 308 Cardinals were originally the parish priests at Rome. College of, founded by Pope Pascal I. 817: did not elect the Popes till 1160: wore the red hat (to 15 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. remind them that they ought to shed their Mood, if required, for religion), and were declared princes of the church, 1222; the Cardinals set fire to the Conclave, and separated : and there was a vacancy in the Papal chair for two years, 1314. Cardinal Carassa was hung, by order of Pope Pius IV. 1560; as was Cardinal Poli, under Leo X.: the title of Eminence first given them by Urban VIII. about 1630. CARLTON HOUSE, splendid Fete given at 1811 At this fete many persons were severely hurt by the immense throng that attended it, June 20, 1811. A second also given at the same place to the Duke of Wellington, to which 2,500 persons were invited, June 21, 1814. CARRIAGES taxed '. 1747 Again 1776, 1782, and 1785. CASTLEREAGH, LORD, and THE HON. SPENCER PERCIVAL. They were accused of purchasing seats, whilst in the ministry. Not censured. CASTLES in England taken from the Barons 1 153 CATTLE, 94,000 head, and above S00,000 sheep, were sold in Smithfield during the year 1774 CAULIFLOWERS first planted in England 1603 CELERY introduced to the English tables in 1709 It was introduced by Count Tallai-d, during his captivity in England, after the battle of Malplaquet, in 1709. CEYLON nearly destroyed to revenge the Dutch cruelties . 1761 CHAIN-SHOT invented by Admiral De Witt 1661 CHANCERY, Court of, established 605 The present Court of Chancery was established by William I. 1066. The first person qualified for Chancellor, by education, was Sir Thomas More, in 1530, the office before being rather that of a secretary of state than the President of a Court of Justice. First reference to a Master in, owing to the ignorance of the Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton, about 1588. In May, 1811, Parliament passed an Act appointing a Vice- Chancellor, to assist the Lord Chancellor while attending his duties in the House of Lords. CHINA made at Chelsea 1752 At Bow, 1758: in several parts of England, 1760 : by Mr. Wedgwood, 1762: at Dresden, 1706. Porcelaine first spoken of in history, 1591. CHINA, Empire of, founded B.C. 2100 Although China was founded at the above date, its history does not extend above the Greek Olympiads : the first dynasty, when prince Yu reigned^ 2207, B. C. : before this time, the Chinese Chronology is imperfect: by some, Fchi is supposed to be the founder of the Empire, and its first sovereign, 2247, B. C. Literature there revived, and the art of printing practised, 206 B. c: the first history of China was published by Sematsian, 97 B C : first grant of the island of Macao, at the entrance of the river of Canton, to the Portu- guese, 1586^ the country conquered by the Eastern Tartars, when the Emperor and his family killed themselves, 1635 : an attempt to establish Christianity there by the Jesuits, 1692: the Missionaries expelled, 1724. It is fifteen times larger than Great Britain aud Ireland: and though not half the size of Europe, contains more inhabitants. CHAMP DE MAI, General Federation in the, July 14, ... 1790 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 17 CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL passed 1829 CHARITY SCHOOLS, first began in England 1688 One hundred and sixty schools were established within London, Westminster, and the bills of mortality, between 1688 and 1767» inclusive. Six thousand children met- at St. Pauls, May 2, 1782. CHELTENHAM MINERAL SPRING discovered 1740 CHEROKEE CHIEFS, Seven of them arrive in England . 1730 Three more in 17G2 : and three more in 1776. CHESAPEAKE FRIGATE, The, captured by Broke, June 1, 1813 The action of the Chesapeake frigate, (Captain Lawrence) and the Shannon, (Captain Broke) was one of the most sanguinary and determined actions ever fought. Captain Broke, having given orders for his men to board the Chesapeake, in the short space of twenty minutes, that vessel was strewed with dead bodies : and amongst them lay its unfortunate commander^ Lawrence. Captain Broke was severely wounded. CHILDREN forbidden by law to be sold by their parents... 1015 CHIVALRY began in Europe 912 CHURCHES, fifty new ones voted in 1711 CHUDLEIGH, Devonshire, accident at 1807 A dreadful accident happened at the above place, a small market town, consisting of about two hundred houses, which were (with the exception of seven houses, and the church) entirely consumed, without the loss of a human life. CINQUE PORTS vested in barons 1078 The Cinque Ports are five havens, that lie on the east part of England, towards France; they are Hastings, Dover, Hithe, Romney, and Sandwich, to which Winchelsea and Rye, have since been added. They have a particular policy, and are governed by a keeper, with the title of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and send Representatives to Parliament, who are called barons of the Cinque Ports. First received their privileges, 1216. CIRCUITS, Justiciary, established in England 1176 In Scotland, in 1712. CIRCUMNAVIGATORS OF ENGLAND, &c. The Circumnavigators of England, were Drake, in 1577= Cavendish, 1586 : Cowley, 1683: Dampier, 1689: Cooke, 1708: Clipperton and Sherbock, 1719: Anson, 1740: Biron, 1764: Wallis, 1766: Cartaret, 1766: Captain James Cook, 1768, 1772, and 1776 : continued by King, 1780 : Portlocke, &c. 1788: and Captain Hunter, 1788-9, in 137 days. The first that entered the Pacific Ocean, was Magellan, a Portuguese, 1520. Among the Spanish Circumnavigators, were Groalva, 1537= Avalradi, 1547: Mendana, 1567: Quiros, 1625. The Dutch Circumnavigators were, Van Noort, 1598 : Spit- bergen, 1614: Lemaire, 1615 : Scouten, 1616 : Tasman,1642: and Roggewin, 1721 : M. Bougainville's voyage, (the Frenchman) was in 1776; and several others have been undertaken since, particularly that of La Perouse. No. 3- D 18 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. CLAREMONT, purchase of 1816 Claremont was purchased by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests for Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales, on her marriage with the Prince of Saxe-Cobourg. It was bought of C. R. Ellis, Esq. for the sum of £69,000. CLERGY OF FRANCE, renounced their privileges, on the20thofMay 1809 Had all their property seized upon by the National Assembly, 1790, CLERGY. The celibacy of the Roman Catholic Clergy, first established by the decree of Pavia, which was afterwards supported by the edict of the Emperor, Henry II. in 1009, at the request of the Pope, John XIX. and their children declared serfs. At a council held at Toledo, it was ordered that every one, whether layman, or ecclesiastic, should be contented with one companion, either wife or concubine. CLERGY. In the year 1536, the clergy were excluded from being members of the Irish Parliament by the Act of Henry VIII.: of the British Parliament, in 1801, when the Rev. Home Tooke was forced to vacate his seat. CLOCKS and WATCHES, taxed, 1797 The tax was repealed in 1798. Three clockmakers from Delft, were the first who settled in England, 1568. The invention of clocks is ascribed to Pacificus, who lived in the 9th century; by others, to Boethius, in 510. Pendulum clocks were invented by Huyghens, in 1457- Clocks and dials were first set up in churches, 913; made to strike by the Arabians, 801; by the Italians, in 1300; a striking clock in Westminster, 1368, (afterwards in the House of Lords, till the late fire.) The first portable ones, 1530 ; none in England that went tolerably, until that dated 1540, maker's name N. O. now at Hampton Court Palace. Clocks with pendulums, &c. invented by another artist, (Fromantil) a Dutchman, about 1656. Repeating clocks and watches, invented by one Barlow, 1676 : neither clocks nor watches were general, until the year 1681 COACHES first used in England 1580 In 1601, an Act was passed to prevent men riding in coaches, it being considered as effeminate: began to be common in London, 1605: hackney ditto, began 1634, when a Captain Baily set up four : prohibited in 1635: fifty hackney coaches only were allowed in 1637: limited to 200, 1652: to 300 in 1654: to 400, in 1661 : to 700, in 1694, when they were first licensed: to 800, in 1710 : to 1000, in 1771- The number of coaches in the year 1793, made in this kingdom, amounted to 40,000, half of which were exported. By the duty on coaches, it appeared, in 1778, that 23,000 were kept in England, which duty amounted to £117,000.: and in 1785, it was £154,988. in England : whilst in Scotland, it was only £9000. Coach-tax commenced, March 25, 1747: it was increased 1776, 1782, 1785, and 1797. COALS discovered near Newcastle 1234 Coals were first dug there by a Charter granted to the town by Henry III. in 1280. Dyers, Brewers, &c. began to use sea-coal for fire, 1350: but on an application by the nobility, &c. Edward I. published a proclamation against it, 1398: it came into g-eneral use in London, in 1400. In 1773, 600,000 chaldrons were consumed, and 766,880 ditto, in 1788. There were, in 1792, 841,380 chaldrons: and Scots coals, 2249 tons: in 1793,800,510: in 1794, 788,744: and in 1795, 887,759 ditto, exclusive of cinders, &c. This immense duty yielded the Duke of Richmond £23,000. per annum. The THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 19 whole duty on coal in 1788, amounted to £306,728. The daily consump- tion in London, is about 2,300 chaldrons. COCHRANE, LORD. Lord Cochrane, in concert with the Honourable Cochrane Johnstone, De Berenger, Butt, &c. was convicted of a fraud on the Stock Exchange on the 8th of June, 1814, when he was sentenced to pay a line of £1000., to be imprisoned twelve months in the King's Bench Prison, and to stand one hour in the pillory; his Lordship asserted his innocence in Parliament, but was expelled, July 5, 1814. His constituents entered into a resolution to re-elect him, on the 25th of the same month. Escaped from the King's Bench Prison, and gave the casting vote against any extension of the grant to the Duke of Cumberland. Left England for the continent. In the Spring of 1827, Lord Cochrane joined the Greeks, and Sir Richard Church took the command of their armies about the same time. The general had previously commanded a battalion of Greeks at Zante. In 1831, Lord Cochrane succeeded to the Earldom of Dundonald, on the death of his father : and in 1832, the London Gazette of May 9, announced his restoration to the rank he held in the British navy. COCK LANE GHOST, imposition of 1762 Amidst the various impositions which have been practised at different periods, none ever attracted so much notice as the Cock Lane Ghost : and it is singular that such credulity could be carried on for such a period of time, without detection. We shall be as brief as the nature of the story will admit. A Mr. Kempe, it appears, a person of great respectability, and who resided in the county of Norfolk, was married to a young woman of that neighbour- hood: but dying in child-bed, her sister continued to assist him in his business ; the consequence was an intimacy with each other ; and on his quitting that line, in order to settle in London, she insisted on following him, even on foot, if a more comfortable conveyance was not provided, and she accordingly followed him to town; but being excluded by the Canon law from marrying, they cohabited together, and made their wills in favour of each other. Upon their arrival in London, they went to reside at Greenwich for a time, when Mr. Kempe took lodgings in town, near the Mansion House. While at this place, Mr. Parsons, the officiating clerk of St. Sepulchre's, observing one morning Mr. and Mrs. Kempe at prayers, standing in the aisle, shewed them into a pew. On the conclusion of the service, Mr. Parsons was thanked for his civility by the party, and asked if he could inform them of a lodging in the neighbourhood: Parsons consequently offered his own house, which was accepted. Soon after their removal to the house of Parsons, in Cock-lane, near Smithfield, Mr. Kempe went into the country, and the lady, who went by the name of Miss Fanny, took Parsons' daughter, (about eleven years of age) as a companion, who also slept with her. It was at this time that Miss Fanny had to complain of violent noises : when Mrs. Parsons pleaded igno- rance as to the cause, but she supposed it was nothing more than that of a shoemaker, who lived close by, (and who rose early to his labour) would make. A short time after this, on Miss Fanny again being disturbed, she arose from her bed, and enquired of Mrs. Parsons, if the shoemaker worked on the Sunday, (it being on the Sunday evening) ? on being answered, no, Mrs. Parsons was requested to come into the chamber, and witness the truth of her assertion. The Rev. Mr. Linden was also called in, but he excused him- self. Upon Mr. and Mrs. Kempe's removing from the house, the noises ceased. Unfortunately for Mr. Kempe, both Parsons, and the landlord with whom he now resided, were in indifferent circumstances, and had both of them become indebted to him ; and in order to obtain a re-payment of the debt from each, was obliged to sue both; from hence arose the contrivance of the plot afterwards brought against him. During the period he resided in the house of Parsons, the young lady became pregnant: and in the sixth month of the same, Dr. Cooper was engaged to attend her. He visited her till she was taken ill, which illness was thought to bean eruptive fever. The lodg- 20 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. COCK LANE GHOST, The, (continued.) 1762 ings proving inconvenient, others were procured in Bartlett street, Clevken well, to which place the patient was removed, a nurse having been previously engaged to attend her. It was now ascertained that the disease was the small pox ; and for the first four days, it was thought to be favourable, both by the Physician, and also Mr. Jones, who attended her; but the complaint changed for the worst, and her death was pronounced certain ; previous to its taking place, a clergyman was called in, in order to afford spiritual consola- tion. These facts were attested by Dr. Gooper and Mr. Jones, and con- firmed by the Clergyman who attended her. She expired on the 2nd of February, 1760, and was interred in the church of St. John's, Clerkenwell. After a lapse of two years, the report of the knocking and scratching in the night at the house of Parsons was asjain renewed, and various methods were tried to discover the cause. The noise seemed to proceed from beneath the bed, in which lay two children, the eldest of whom slept with Mrs. Kempe when in lodgings at Parsons' house. The wainscot was taken down, but the noise increased, and became more violent. The children were re- moved to another room, but the noise still continued throughout the night. The knocking and scratching still continuing to follow the children, the eldest was interrogated as to what it was like ; when she declared it was Mrs. Kempe. Suspicions were in consequence whispered that all was not right, and hints were thrown out that the deceased had not died a natural death. These reports were succeeded by a publication relative of Mr. Kempe's connexion with the deceased. Still the noises continued, and from the quarter already mentioned, so much so, as to throw the child into violent fits, and Parsons now gave it out that the spirit of Mrs. Kempe had taken possession of the child. The noises still increasing in violence, several persons sat up all night in the child's room. On the evening of January 13, between 11 and 12 at night, a respectable clergyman was sent for, who, on his arrival, addressing himself to the supposed spirit, desired he might be (if any injury had been done to the party) answered in the affirmative by a single knock; if on the contrary, by two knocks. This was immediately answered by one knock. He then asked several questions, which were answered, and the following particulars learned : — that the spirit was a woman, and her name Frances L ; that she had lived in fornication with Mr. Kempe, whose first wife was her sister, and that she had poisoned her, by administering arsenic in purl to her when confined by the small pox. It being still strongly suspected that it was an imposition, it was resolved to remove the girl to another house. This was accordingly done, the child being taken away to a strange house, to that mentioned in her hearing: and the reverend gentleman not wishing to condemn too hastily on this extraordinary circumstance, collected some of his friends, among whom were two or three Divines, with several other persons, and likewise two negroes. Having carefully examined the bed clothes, and being satisfied that there was no visible appearance of deception, the child, upon being put to bed, was found to shake extremely by the gentleman who had stationed himself at the foot. Having proceeded to ask a variety of questions, which were answered by the required knocks, and expressions of displeasure, by scratching, the following extraordinary conversation took place : — Q. Are you brought to an untimely end by poison? — A. Yes. Q. In what was the poison administered! — A. Purl. Q. How long before your death? — A. Three hours. Q. Is the person called Carrots able to give any information about the poison ? — A. Yes. Q. Are you Kempe's wife's sister ? — A. Yes. Q. Were you married to Kempe? — A. No. Q. Was any other person besides Kempe concerned in the poisoning? A. No. Q. Can you appear visibly to any one? — A. Yes. Q. Will you do so?— A. Yes. Q, Can you go out of this house ? — A. Yes. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 21 COCK LANE GHOST, The, (continued) .-. 1762 Q. Can you follow the child every where? — A. Yes. Q. Are you pleased at being asked questions? — A. Yes. Q. Does it ease your mind? — A. Yes. (Here a mysterious noise, compared to the fluttering of wings, round the room, was heard.) Q. How long- before your death did you tell Carrots that you were poisoned ? A. One hour. (Here Carrots, who had been servant to Mrs. Kempe, and was admitted to be one of the company, asserted, that the deceasrd had not told her so, being at that time speechless.) Q. How long did Carrots live with you ? — A. Three or four days. Q. If the accused should be taken up, will he confess ? — A. Yes. Q. Will you be at ease in your mind, if the man be hanged? — A. Yes. Q. How many Clergymen are there in the room? — A. Three. Q. How many negroes ? — A. Two. Q. Can you distinguish the person of any one in the room? — A. Yes. One of the Clergymen holding up a watch, asked whether it was white, yellow, blue, or black. (The watch was in a black shagreen case.) Q. What hour will you depart at in the morning? — A. Four o'clock. The noise at that hour, removed into " The Wheatsheaf," a few doors off, where it was heard in the bed-room of the landlord and landlady, which caused great terror to both. During the interrogations, one of the company placed himself by the bedside, and leaned on the bed ; a person on the other side of the room desired him not to sit in that posture, when the former replied, that " he came there to ascertain the truth of the affair, and he should place himself in any part of the room where there appeared the least suspicion." The individual who had leaned on the bed, requested Mr. Parsons to permit him to remove the child to his own house, at the same time promising that she should have a room to herself, a servant to wait upon her, and whoever her father pleased should be with her, which was refused. At seven o'clock on the following morning, the noise again commenced. Though many were inclined to believe the preceding statements the effect of supernatural agency, yet others considered it as nothing but a trick : and in consequence, it was determined once more to remove the child, which was accordingly done, to a house in Crown and Cushion court, at the upper end of Cow-lane, near Smithfield, to which place two clergymen, several gen- tlemen, and a few ladies had assembled. The knocking again commenced, when a gentleman began to speak angrily to the girl, hinting that he suspected it some trick of her's, upon which the child became uneasy, and cried ; the knocking now became louder than before ; and no answer could be obtained to any question whilst that gentleman remained ; but, after he was gone, the noise ceased until a little after twelve, when she was seized with a trembling similar to the approach or departure of the spirit. On the question when, and at what time the spirit would return, the answer was made by knocks, that it would return again before seven in the morning. A noise resembling the fluttering of wings was now heard ; after which, all remained quiet till between six and seven on Friday moining, when the knocks again commenced. At seven o'clock two Clergymen came, and the noise was repeated; several questions were then put, one by a female, an acquaintance of the deceased, who came out of curiosity, and who had seen Mrs. Kempe some time previous to her death. The question was, "how long before the death of the latter this individual had been to see her." The answer returned was three knocks, signifying as many days, which was true. The next question was, whether or not some one in the company then present had not a rela- tion who had been buried in the vault where Mrs. Kempe lay. This reply was made by one knock, in the affirmative. They then severally asked if it was their relation ; when all, excepting the two last, were answered no ; but to the last, the reply was by one knock, which was right. The replies caused considerable surprize to the company. 22 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. COCK LANE GHOST, The, (continued) 1762 On the evening of the 22nd of January, the girl was again removed, when she was conveyed to the house of the matron of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Every precaution was used to keep her being there a secret, and likewise to prevent any crowd from congregating round it, which would have greatly tended to obstruct the method adopted for detecting any imposition. About twenty persons sat up in the room, but no noise was heard till near six in the morning, when a noise commenced similar to the scratching of a cat on a cane chair. But a person in company having expressed an opinion that the whole of the affair was an imposition, caused some altercation with those who were of a different opinion, and which interruption caused the spirit to take its departure; upon which no further noise was heard. About seven o'clock, the child, who till now had appeared to be in a sound sleep, awoke in a lit of crying : and on being interrogated as to the cause, replied that her father would be ruined, should the affair be thought to be an imposture. She after this lay at a house, opposite the School House, in Cock-lane, at which place a person of distinction, two clergymen, and several others, were present. Between ten and eleven, the knocking began : and each inter- rogation answered in a similar manner to the former. To a question now put, Will you attend the girl to any place whither she maybe carried? — A. Yes. At eleven o'clock, as many distinct knocks were heard: and at twelve, the same number. On being asked if it were going away, and at what time it would return, seven knocks were given. Exactly as St. Sepulchre's clock chimed the hour of seven, the invisible agent knocked seven times. Every person was now put out of the room who could have the least connexion with the child; her hand being also laid on the outside of the clothes. The supposed spirit having previously promised that it would attend under the church of St. John, Clerkenwell, where the body was deposited, and give a token of its presence by a knock on the coffin, it was proposed to make thetiial of the real existence of the spirit; upon which Mr. Kempe, the undertaker, clerk, sexton, and two or three gentlemen, repaired to the church, and entered the vault, when the undertaker presently knew the coffin, which was taken from under the others, and easily seen to be the same. It having been given out that the body had even been displaced, the coffin was opened in Mr. Kempe's presence, and there was exhibited all the appearance of frail mortality. During this period steps were taken to find out the fraud. The girl had been removed from one place to another, and as constantly attended by the noises, though bound and muffled hand and, foot ; and, strange to say, they were often heard in rooms at some distance from where she lay. Being at last removed to the house of a gentleman, her bed was tied up in the manner of a hammock, a yard and a half from the ground, with her hands and feet extended, but not so as to cause any injury, and fastened with fillets for two nights, during which, no further noise was heard, and the affair was ended by her detection. On the 10th of July, Parsons, his wife, and one Mary Eraser, who acted as interpreter between the ghost, and those who examined her, the Bev. Mr. Moore, Curate of St. Stephens, and Mr. James, a tradesman, were tried at Guildhall, before Lord Mansfield, and a special jury, and convicted of a conspiracy against the life and character of Mr. Kempe. The trial lasted twelve hours; but judgment was respited, in order to take the opinion of the Twelve Judges on this curious affair. The sentence was deferred for seven or eight months ; and the Rev. Mr. Moore, and Mr. James, were discharged, on paying the prosecutor £300. and costs, which amounted nearly to as much more. The publisher of the narrative, (Brown), and Say, the printer, had previously compromised the affair. Parsons was ordered to be set in the pillory three times in one month, once at the end of Cock -lane; and afterwards to be imprisoned two years ; Elizabeth his wife, one year, and Mary Fiaser, six months, in Bridewell, and THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 23 COCK LANE GHOST, The, (continued) 1762 to be kept to hard labour. Parsons appearing to be out of his mind at the time for his first standing in the pillory, that part of the sentence was deferred to another day; when on other days of his public exhibition, the populace, instead of using him ill, took compassion on him, and collected a handsome sum for his use. The term of his confinement in the King's Bench Prison having expired on the 13th of February, 1765, he was liberated. The Rev. Mr. Moore, was so overwhelmed with grief, that he did not long survive the detection of the imposture. Mr. Moore was the person to whom the spirit made the promise of striking the coffin, and who in consequence visited the vault, accompanied by the celebrated Dr. Johnson, and another gentleman, COFFEE first brought to England 1641 Coffee was first brought to England by Mr. Nathaniel Conopius, a Cretan, who made it his common beverage, at Baliol College, Oxford. Brought to Mar- seilles, 1644. The first coffee house in England, was kept by one Jacob, a Jew, at the sign of " The Angel," in Oxford, 1650. Mr. Edwards, an English Turkey merchant, brought home with him a Greek servant, who kept the first house for making and selling coffee in London, 1652; and " The Rainbow," coffee house, near Temple Bar, was, in 1657, represented as a nuisance to the neighbourhood. COIF. The Serjeant's coif, was originally an iron scull cap, worn by knights under their helmets. Judge Blackstone writes, " that it was introduced before 1259, in order to hide the tonsure of those renegado clerks who chose to remain as advocates in the secular courts, notwithstanding they were prohibited by the Canon." COLUMBUS, the arrival of 1825 The Columbus, a timber ship, of colossal structure, went from Gravesend to Quebec, with a cargo of 6,300 tons. COMBINATION among Journeymen, Act against, June 21 1799 CONCERT, the first Subscription one, 1665 The first one was at Oxford. The first in London, 1678. CONTRACTORS with Government disqualified from sitting in Parliament 1782 COIN, The of England, first made round 1101 The first silver coinage at Rome 259 B.C.: before then, brass money was only used, a sign that there was not any correspondence with the East, where gold and silver were used some time before. Coin first used in Britain, 25 B. c. : in Scotland, of gold and silver, 223 A. c. First made round in England, 1101 : silver halfpence, and farthings, were coined in the reign of king John, and pence, the largest current coin. Gold first coined in England, 1087; groats first coined in Bohemia, 1301; copper money used only in Scotland and Ireland, 1399: Gold coined in England, 1345: groats and half groats, the largest silver coin, 1531. In 1347, a pound of silver was coined into twenty-two shillings: and in the year 1352, a pound was coined into twenty-five shillings: in 1414, they were increased to thirty shillings: in 1500, a pound of silver was coined into forty shillings; in 1530, they were extended to sixty-two, which is the same now. The money in Scotland, now the same as in England, began to be debased, 1344. Gold first coined in Venice, 1476. Shillings first coined in England, 24 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. in 1068: Crowns and half crowns first coined in 1551. Copper money introduced into France by Henry III. 15S0: the first legal copper coin introduced, which put an end to private leaden tokens, universally prac- tised, especially in London, 1609. Coppei monev introduced into England by Tames I. 1620: milling coin introduced, 1662: invented by Castaing, a Frenchman: halfpence and farthings first coined by government, August, 1672; guineas were first coined, 1673; silver coinage, 1696; broad pieces of gold called in by Government, and coined into guineas, 1732. Five shil- lings and three penny pieces in gold were issued in 1716 and 1761. One million was coined in l7l0 from French Louis d'ors. Halfpence issued for the Isle of Man by England, 1786. Dollars issued by the Bank at four shillings and ninepence each, March 4, 1797; at five shillings, 1806; raised to five shillings and sixpence, 1811. Gold seven shilling pieces issued December, 1797- The new coin of William IV. announced in the London Gazette, April 15, 1831. COIN, The American, took place in ] 792 In eagles, half eagles, and quarter eagles. The first is ten dollars, or forty-five shillings English. The dime is the tenth part of a dollar; and a copper coin, called a cent, is the tenth part of a dime. COINING with a Die first invented 1617 First used in England, 1620. COLUSSUS OF RHODES, The, sold to a Jew 652 It was thrown down by an earthquake, and weighed 720,000 pounds. COMMUTATION OF TITHES BILL passed 1836 COMETS. In the year 1527, about four in the morning, not only in the Palatine of the Rhine, but nearly over all Europe, appeared for an hour and a quarter, a most horrible Comet; — in its length, it was of a blood colour, inclining to saffron ; from the top of its train appeared a bended arm, in the hand whereof was a huge sword in the instant posture of striking. At the point of the sword was a star ; from the star proceeded dusky rays, like a hairy tail; on the side of them, other rays, like javelins or lesser swords, as if imbued in blood, between which appeared human faces, in the colour of blackish clouds, with rough hair and beards. All these moved with such terrible sparkling and brightness, that many spectators swooned with fear. In perfect accordance with these descriptions are the drawings of Comets in the old Treatises of Astronomy. A Celestial Atlas, published about the year 1680, has several ; in which the fancy of the Artist has endeavoured to embody the wild and distorted description of historians. Other remark- able Comets have appeared, viz.: — one in 1758, 1808, 1811, and Septem- ber, 1832. A conjunction of the sun and moon, and all the planets, in 1186; and of Saturn and Jupiter, 1394. CONTRIBUTION, a, demanded by Act of Parliament 1695 The above demand to contribute, was made by Act of Parliament, from every individual whose wages were £4. per annum. CONVICTS first sent to Botany Bay 1787 Intelligence was received that 224 souls were lost in a convict ship, wrecked on the coast of Van Dieman's Land. CONSPIRACY, The, CATO STREET 1820 This conspiracy had for its object revolution and the assassination of Ministers. The framer of this wild and diabolical scheme, was Thistlewood, who had been a subaltern first in a militia, and afterwards in a regiment of the line in THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 25 CONSPIRACY, THE CATO STREET, (continued). the West Indies. Having resigned his Commission, he passed into France, where he arrived after the fall of Robispiere, and there imbibed all the opinions which prevailed in France at the eventful period of the Revolution, and entertained the wild project that the destruction of his country was an object worthy of accomplishing. Having been tried with Dr. Watson, and acquitted, he sent a challenge to Lord Sidmouth, for which he was tried, found guilty, and imprisoned. On being liberated, in August, 1819, he formed a connection with some of the lowest class of beings. Ings, Brunt, Tidd, and Davison, were his companions and confidants : they held meetings in a room hired for the purpose in Gray's Inn lane, when the destruction of the Ministers was declared to be of the greatest consequence, in order to complete their fiend-like purpose. A meeting took place on the 19th of February, 1820, at which, they came to the resolution of assassinating the Ministers separately, each in his own house on the Wednesday following; meetings were again held on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, when the plan was resolved on; but Thistlewood being informed by Edwards (a Government spy) that a Cabinet dinner was to take place at Lord Harrowby's house, Grosvenor-square, Thistlewood pro- cured a paper containing the announcement of such intention. This event gave fresh courage to the Conspirators, and it was at length determined that one should go to the door with a letter, the remainder were to rush in, and having secured the servants, they were to press forward into the room where the ministers were assembled, and finish the business by murdering the whole of them: and, as a particular trophy, the heads of Sidmouth and Castlereagh were to be deposited in a bag. Wednesday was passed in manufacturing the various weapons to be em- ployed, and they resorted to a stable situated in Cato-street, Edgeware-road. This building contained but two rooms, which could only be entered by a ladder. The conspirators having mustered, to the number of twenty- four, they|took the precaution of placing a centinel below, whilst they prepared for their dreadful encounter. The Ministers having been made acquainted by Edwards with their murderous intentions, also by a man of the name of Hidon, who had been solicited to join them, and who had wanted Lord Harrowby of it the previous day, a strong party of officers, headed by Mr. Birnie proceeded to Cato-street, and were met and supported by a detach- ment of the Coldstream Guards, under the command of Captain Fitz- Clarence. The officers, on their arrival, mounted the ladder, and found the conspirators in the loft, unconscious of their danger, and of the different result of their speculations. Smithers being 1 the first to enter the loft, in his attempt to seize Thistlewood, was pierced by him through the body, and immediately fell: the lights being quickly extinguished, some of the con- spirators escaped through a window at the back of the premises; but by the joint exertions of the military and officers, nine were taken that evening, and conveyed to Bow-street. Thistlewood escaped in the confusion, but was arrested the next morning, in a house near Finsbury-square, and some on the next two days. True bills were found against eleven of the prisoners, for High Treason, on the 27th of March; and on the 17th of April, Thistlewood was put on his trial. A man of the name of Adams was the principal witness, and one of the conspirators who escaped on the evening in Cato-street, but who had been taken, and had remained in custody to the time of his appearance in court. The trial lasted three days, when Thistlewood was found guilty of high treason. Ings, Brunt, Field, and Davidson, were severally tried, and convicted. The remaining six pleaded guilty. One received a pardon, and five sentence of transportation for life. Thistlewood, Ings, Brunt, Field, and Davidson, were executed on the 1st of May, 1820. CONSTABLE. The Lord High Constable was anciently an officer of the Crown, both of Eng- land and France, whose authority was so very extensive, that the office has long since been laid aside in both kingdoms, except on particular occasions, No. 4 E 26 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. CONSTABLE, (continued.) as the King's coronation. The function of the Constable of England con- sisted in thee are of the common peace of the land, in deeds of arms, and in matters of war. The first Constable was created by the Conqueror; the office continued hereditary till the 13th of Henry VIII. when it was laid aside, as being so powerful as to become troublesome to the king. From the Lord High Constable are derived those inferior ones, since called the Constables of hundreds and franchises, ordained in the 13th of Edward I. by the statute of Winchester, for the preservation of the peace, and view of armour, which appointed that two constables should be chosen in every hundred. These are what we now call High Constables ; and under these it was found necessary to appoint others in every town, called Petty Constables. We have also Constables denominated from particular places ; as Constable of the Tower, of Dover Castle, of Windsor Castle, of the Castle of Caer- narvon, and many other castles in Wales, whose officers are the same with that of the Castellans, or governors of Castles. COPENHAGEN, bombardment of The bombardment of Copenhagen took place on the 2nd of April, 1801, and consisted of eighteen sail of the line, four frigates, and a vast number of bomb-vessels and gun-boats, amounting in the whole to fifty-two sail. This formidable fleet was destined to dissolve the confederacy which was formed against England at that period. It had on board several regiments of marines and riflemen, and was commanded by Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, who had under him Lord Nelson, as second in command. It set sail from Yar- mouth on the 12th of March: and soon after its departure, the Invincibe, of 74 guns, struck on a sand-bank, off the coast of Norfolk, by which acci- dent she was so much injured, that she soon afterwards sunk, and four hundred of her crew perished. COPY-RIGHT, secured by an Act passed 1710 Further secured by an Act passed in 1814. CORN BILL, The, passed 1814 The Corn Law Bill, passed in this year, was the cause of the most alarming riots, and also loss of life, by the fireing of the soldiery A young gentleman, passing by the house of Mr. Robinson at the moment of the affray, was unfortunately killed on the spot. CORSICANS, throw themselves under the protection of the King of England, July 1794 Corsica formerly belonged to France: but on the Revolution taking place, the Corsicans rose, and appointed General Paoli for their chief, and surren- dered the island to the Crown of Great Britain, with great formality, in July, 1794, accepting, at the same time, a new Constitution from the English government. In October, 1796, however, the English Viceroy was obliged to abandon the island, and the French again took possession of it. Here Napoleon, Emperor of France, was born, August 15, 1769. CORPORATION REFORM BILL passed 1835 COURT. Courts are of various kinds, and are either held in the king's name, as all the ordinary courts : or where the precepts are issued in the name of the judge ; as the Admiral's Court. The superior Courts are those of The King's Bench; The Common Pleas; The Exchequer; and The Court of Chancery. A Court of Record has power to hold plea of real, personal, and mixed actions, where the debt is 40s. or above; as the Court of King's Bench, &c. A Base Court, or Court not of Record, is, where it cannot hold plea of debt or damage, amounting to 405.. or where proceedingi are not THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 21 COURTS, (continued.) according to the course of the common law; such as the County Court, Court of Hundreds, Court Baron, &c. Court Baron, is a Court held by every lord of a manor within his own precincts, by common law and custom ; the former is where the barons or freeholders, beiDg suitors, are the judges; the other is that where the lord or his steward, is the judge. Court of Chivalry, or The Marshal's Court, of which the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marshal of England were the judges. This Court is the foun- tain of martial law, and the Earl Marshal is not only one of the judges, but is to see execution done. Court of Conscience, a court in the cities of London and Westminster, and some other places, where all causes where the debt and damages come under 40*. are determined. Court of Dele- gates, where delegates are appointed by the King's Commission, under the Great Seal upon an appeal to him ; and is granted in three cases : — 1. When a sentence is given in an ecclesiastical cause by the Archbishop, or his official; — 2. When a sentence is given in an ecclesiastical cause in places exempt; and 3. When sentence is given in the Court of Admiralty, in suits Civil or Marine, by order of the civil law. Court of Hustings, is a Court of Record, held at Guildhall, for the City of London, before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Recorder, where all pleas, real, personal, and mixt, are determined ; where all lands, tenements, &c. within the said city, or its bounds, are pleadable, in two Hustings; the one called the Hustings of the pleas of lands, and the other the Hustings of the common pleas. This is the highest court within the city, in which writs of exigent may be taken out, and outlawries awarded, wherein judgment is given by the Recorder. Court Leet, is a Court held by the lord of a manor, wherein all offences, except high treason, are inquired into, and punished. COURT Martial is appointed for inquiring into, and punishing offences in officers soldiers, and sailors, in a manner agreeable to the regulations of the Mutiny Bill. Court of Requests was anciently a court of equity, of the same nature with the Chancery, but inferior to it : it has been abolished. COVENT GARDEN built 1632 The church was repaired in 1789; accidentally burnt by the carelessness of the workmen, whilst under a state of repair, September 12, 1795; re-built, and opened again for divine service, August 1, 1798. COVENTRY, PEEPING TOM OF. The story of Leoffric, Earl of Mercia, and lord of this place, heavily taxing the citizens, and only remitting them at the entreaty of Godina his wife, on condition of her riding naked through the city, which he thought she would never submit to; but which it is said, she performed, with her long hair so disposed, as almost wholly to cover her body, is commemorated till this day, by the figure of a man peeping down into the street from one of the houses. On that extraordinary occasion, all the doors and windows were shut, and Campden says, " That nobody looked after her." The tradition however is, that one would needs be peeping, and that he was thereupon struck blind. The inhabitants celebrate this event by the exhibition of a mock procession annually. COVENTRY ACT passed 1669 COW POX, The, introduced in 1800 Vaccine inoculation is a modern discovery in medicine, whereby the matter of a pustular irruption on the udder and teats of a cow, is found to produce a regular disease in the human frame, which renders it unsusceptible of the small pox, though it has been asserted, that it is no preventitive of that baneful disease. It was long known to those persons employed in dairies; but it was first brought into public notice by the celebrated Dr. Jenner, of Berkeley, in 1798, and has proved, so far, an inestimable blessing, and which the following comparative view affords a proof. 28 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. COW POX, Inoculation of, (continued.) The natural small pox is a contagious disease, violent, loathsome, and dangerous: of which it is computed that one in twelve of the human race perishes: in London 3000 annually: in the United kingdom, 40,000! Inoculated small pox, also contageous, for the most part mild, but some- times violent and loathsome, of which one in 300 is reckoned to die. In London, about one in 100. The inoculation of the small pox having been but partially adopted, has been the means of spreading the infection, and thus increased the general mortality. Inoculated cow-pox, not conta- geous; and when properly conducted, uniformly mild, inoffensive, seldom painful, never fatal, and an almost infallible preventitive of the small pox; besides, there is no medicine required, and no consequent deformity or disfi- guration. CRIMINAL LAW, The, amended 1837 CROWN, The first Roman that wore one, b. c 616 It was worn by Tarquin. The first used in England, 872. The first tiara, or triple one, used by the Pope, 1364. The first single one used by him was in 553 ; the first double one, in 1303. The crown is an ornament worn on the head by kings, princes, and noblemen, as a mark of their dignity. It was at first only a fillet tied round the head, but was afterwards made of leaves and flowers, rich stuffs, and sometimes ornamented with jewels of great value. The Jewish High Priest wore a crown, which was girt about his mitre, on the lower part of his bonnet, The Romans had various kinds of crowns, which they bestowed as rewards of military merit; as 1. The Oval Crown, bestowed on generals who were entitled to the honours of the lesser triumph, called ovation. 2. The Naval, or Rostral Crown, composed of a circle of gold, with ornaments, representing beaks of ships, and given to the captain who first grappled, or the soldiers who first boarded an enemy's ship. 3. The Corona Villaris, or Castrensis, was a circle of gold raised with jewels or pall-shades ; the reward of him who first entered the enemy's intrenchments. 4. The Mural Crown, a circle of gold indented and em- battled; given to him who first mounted the wall of a besieged place, and there planted a standard. 5. The Civic Crown, made of the branch of a green oak, and given to him who had saved the life of a citizen. 6. The Triumphal Crown, consisting at first of the leaves of laurel, but afterwards made of gold, for those generals who had the honour of a triumph. 7. The crown called Obsidionalis, or Graminea, made of grass growing on the place ; the reward of a general who had delivered a Roman army from a siege. 8. The Crown of Laurel, given by the Gieeks to their athletse, and by the Romans, to those who had negotiated or concluded a peace with an enemy. They had likewise other crowns for those who excelled as poets, orators, &c. The crowns were marks of nobility to the wearers; and upon competitions for ranks and dignity in their favour, often determined the pre- ference to them. The Roman Emperors hadfour kinds of crowns, still seen on medals, viz.: a crown of laurel, a radiating crown, a crown adorned with pearl and precious stones; and the fourth akind of bonnet or cap, something likethe mortier. The Papal Crown, is composed of a cap or tiara, enclosed by three Marques' coronets, having two pendants, like the Bishops' mitres, and on its top a mound of gold ; these three crowns represent the pretended triple capacity of the Pope, viz.: — as high priest, supreme judge, and sole legislator of the Christians. The Imperial Crown, is a bonnet or tiara, voided at the top like a crescent, with a circle of gold adorned with precious stones and pearls, heightened with fleur-de-lis, supporting a globe with a cross at the top. The English crown, is adorned with four crosses, in the manner of those of Malta: between which are fleur-de-lis. It is covered with four diadems, which meet at a little globe supporting a cross. The French Crown is a circle enammelled of eight fleur-de-lis, encompassed with eight arched diadems ; bearing at top a double fleur-de-lis, which is the crest of France. The Spanish Crown is adorned with large indented leaves, THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 29 CROWNS, (continued.) covered with diadems ; bordering on a globe, surmounted with a cross. Those of Portugal, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden, are of the same form. The crowns of most other kings are circles of gold, adorned with precious stones, and heightened up with large trefoils, and closed by four, six, or eight diadems, supporting a mound, surmounted with a cross. The great Turk bears over his arms a turband, enriched with pearls and diadems under two coronets, the first of which is made of pyrimidal points, heightened up with large pearls, and the uppermost is surrounded with crescents. The Crown of the Prince of Wales consists of one arch, adorned with pearls ; in the middle of which is a ball and cross, and bordered with ermine, as in the royal diadem. Besides this, the Prince of Wales has another distinguish- ing mark of honour, viz. : — a plume of three ostrich feathers, with an ancient coronet of a Prince of Wales, with this motto — " Ich dien," i. e. " I serve." This device was at first taken by Edward, Prince of Wales, com- monly called the Black Prince, after the battle of Cressy, where havincr killed John, king of Bohemia, he took from his head such a plume, and put it on his own. That of the younger sons and brothers of the king, consists likewise of a circle of gold, bordered with ermine, and heightened with four crosses and fleur-de-lis alternately, but without any arch, or being sur- mounted with a globe and cross on the top. That of the other Princes of the blood, consists alternately of crosses and leaves, like those in the coronets of Dukes, &c. Those of the Princesses have the addition of strawberry- leaves. The coronet of a Duke, is a circle of gold, bordered with ermine, and enriched with pearls and precious stones, and set round with eight large leaves of parsley, or strawberry. That of a Marquess is set round with four strawberry leaves, and as many pearls, on pyramidal points of equal height, alternately. An Earl's has eight pyramidal points, with as many large pearls on the tops of them, placed alternately with as many strawberry- leaves lower than the pearls. The Viscount has only pearls, without any limited number, placed on the circle itself all around. A Baron has only six pearls, set at equal distance, on the golden border of the ermine; not raised, to distinguish him from the Earl, and limited, to shew that he is inferior to the Viscount. CRUSADE, The, to the Holy Land 1095 The Crusade to the Holy Land, began under several Christian Princes, to drive the infidels fiom Jerusalem. The term Crusade, so called, because those who were engaged in them, wore a cross on their clothes, and bore one on their standard. Several circumstances contributed to give rise to the Crusades (or Croissades), such as a desire for visiting Palestine, an opinion that the end of the world was approaching, and the hardships which were suffered by Pilgrims in the Holy Land, after the Turks had taken that country from the Saracens. The first Croissade began in 1095, being insti- gated principally by Peter the Hermit. The next year 800,000 croissaders invaded Palestine, and in a little time gained considerable advantages. They were however expelled by the Turks in the thirteenth century, after which no advantages remained from these ill-conducted expeditions, but their having contributed to civilize Europe, CUMBERLAND. Captain Barrett, of the merchant ship Cumberland, with twenty-six men, de- feated four French privateers, taking 170 men, who had boarded the Cum- berland, January 13, 1811. CUMBERLAND, DUKE OF, attempted Assassination of by Sellis, May 31, 1810 A criminal information was granted in the Court of King's Bench, against a person of the name of Phillips for an alledged libel on the Duke of Cumberland, relating to this transaction, published in a Work called — 30 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. CUMBERLAND, DUKE OF, (continued.) " Authentic Records of the Court," April 18, 1832.— On the 2nd of May, the Rule was made absolute in the Court of King's Bench, for libels on the Duke of Cumberland. CURACY OF CLERKENWELL, The, Election for, Sep- tember 1839 The contest for the perpetual curacy of St. James's, Clerkenwell, closed in the return of the Rev. WE. L. Faulkner, he having obtained a majority over the Rev. Dr. Dillon. At the close of the Poll, the numbers were, — For Mr. Faulkner 2231 DilLon 1842 Mr. Faulkner was the popular favourite. CURFEW BELL, The, introduced The Conqueror perceiving how the English were affected towards him, after his invasion of this country, proceeded, it is asserted, to great acts of severity. But the establishment of the Curfew Bell by William, it would appear, is not supported by any competent authority ; yet there is no doubt that the Eng- lish were ill-treated by this king, and that he shewed great partiality to his Norman followers; ruling the former with despotic cruelty, and exercising many acts of severity towards them : and treating them, to all intents and purposes, as a conquered people. Although there were many attempts to throw off the Norman yoke, yet the whole of them proved ineffectual, and only served as a handle to still greater punishment. CUSTOMS, Officers of the, deprived of voting for Members of Parliament 1782 CYDER ACT passed 1763 It was repealed in 1766. DAMIEN, attempted to assassinate the French king, 5th Janu ary 1 757 Robert Francois Damien, was tried and found guily of the above offence, and executed in 1758. DANES, various descents in England made by. The incursions of the Danes were many; the first of which was made at Portland, 787: their second in Northumberland, 794, when they were opposed, and perished by shipwreck. Landed on the Sheppey Island, 832; again in Cornwall, and defeated by Egbert, 836 ; again at Charmouth, and defeated Ethelwolf, S40 ; landed at the mouth of the Thames from 350 ships, and took Canterbury and London, 851; subdued by Ethelwolf, at Okeley, in Surrey, 853 ; invaded Northumberland, and seized York, 867; burnt Ely Monastery, 870 ; defeated king Ethelred and his brother Alfred, at Basing and Merton, 87' ; surprised Wareham Castle, and took Exeter, 876; took Chippenham, 877; 1205 of them killed by Odun, Earl of Devonshire, 878; Alfred entered into treaty with them, 882; their fleet totally destroyed at Appledore by king Alfred, 894; invaded Anglesea, 900; made their first descent on France, under Rollo, 895 ; made a settlement in Neustria, now Normandy, 905 ; submitted to Edward the Elder, 921 ; invaded Dorsetshire, 982; landed again in Essex, 991 ; and were bribed to depart the kingdom; their fleet defeated, 992; dreadful massacre of by order of Ethelred II. on the feast of St. Biice, November 12, 1003 ; made England tributary to them, 1007, under Canute; conquered England, 1017; continued their ravages, THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 31 DANES, descents in England made by, (continued.) and defeated the English at Ipswich, 1010 ; settled in Scotland, 1020 ; ex- pelled England, 1041 ; landed again at Sandwich, 1047, and carried off much plunder to Flanders; joined the Northumbrians, burnt York, and slew 3000 Normans, 1069; invaded England again, bnt were bribed by William to depart, 1074. DANISH REVOLUTION, The, January 17 1772 Again in May, 1784. DARTMOUTH burnt by the French 1337 DARTMOUTH POWDER MILLS, dreadful explosion at, January 1833 This dreadful explosion took place at ten o'clock in the morning. The dwelling house of the firm, situate about 100 yards from the mills, suffered severely. Nearly every window was shattered to pieces, and the foundations of the premises shook to their base. Five other mills exploded in rapid succes- sion, but the last was considered to be the most severe of all the previous ones. There were above sixty persons on the premises at the time of the first explosion, seven of whom lost their lives, being blown up iu the air. DELUGE. A general inundation of water sent by God to punish the corruption of the world, by destroying every living thing, Noah, his family, and the animals witb them in the ark excepted. The date of this flood is fixed, by the best Chronologers, to the year of the world 1656, and before Christ 2348. From this flood, the state of the world is divided into diluvian and antediluvian. DEMERARY, taken by the English 1796 Demerary forms one government with Issequibo. The two districts contain about 3000 Whites, and 40,000 slaves. The Settlement was restored to the Dutch, but again taken by the English. DENMARK. The kingdom of Denmark was formerly elective: but since 1660, it was rendered hereditary even to the daughters, partly by consent, and partly by force ; at which time the nobility lost of their privileges. They have very few laws, and those are so plain that they have little need of lawyers, for causes are soon tried. They allow of but one apothecary in a town, except at Copen- hagen, where there there are two. Their shops are visited by the physi- cians once a week, and all the perished drugs are destroyed. The inhabi- tants are Protestants since the year 1522. DIAMONDS, first polished and cut at Bruges 1489 DIAMOND MINES discovered in Brazil 1730 That at Colour, in the East Indies, 1640. That at Golcondo, in 1584. A diamond sent from Brazil to the Court of Portugal, weighed 1680 carats, or twelve ounces and a half, valued at 224,000,000 sterling. Governor Pitt's weighed 127 carats, and 106 after cutting, and sold for £135,000. to the king of France. That which belonged to Aureng-Zeb, weighed 793 carats. The Mogul's weighed 279 carats, worth £779,244. The Grand Duke of Tuscany's, weighed 139 carats. DIEPPE laid in ashes by the English, July 14 1624 32 TUB NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. DIEU ET MON DROIT, The motto of, first used, 1194 The motto of " Dieu et mon Droit," was first used by Richard I. on obtaining a victory over the French. DIPPING NEEDLE, The, invented 1576 The Dipping Needle is a long straight piece of steel, equally poised on its centre, and afterwards touched with a loadstone, so contrived as to swing in a vertical plane about an axis parallel to the horizon in order to discover the exact tendency of the power of magnetism. It was invented by one Robert Norman, a compass maker of Wapping, and was, by Mr. Whiston, applied to discover the longitude, but without success. DIVING BELL. Improved by Charles Spalding, of Edinburgh, 1760. He lost his life in one. Diving bells have been constructed in several different ways. One was invented by Dr. Halley, and was made of wood, three feet wide at the top, five at the bottom, and eight feet high, coated with lead to make it sink readily, and having a particular weight distributed about the bottom, to make it retain a perpendicular position. In the upper part was fixed a strong, clear glass, to serve as a window, with a turn-cock to let out the hot air : lower down was a circular seat for the divers to set on, and below, about a. yard under the bell, was a stage suspended from it by three ropes, each charged with an hundred weight to keep it steady, and for the divers to stand upon to do their work. The machine was suspended from the mast of a ship by a sprit, which was secured by stays to the mast-head, and was directed by braces to carry it over-board, clear of the side of the ship, and to bring it in again. Fresh air was sent down to the divers in barrels coated with lead, each having a bung hole at bottom to let in the water as they descended, and let it out again as they were drawn up. In the top of the barrels was another hole, to which was fixed a leather pipe, long enough to hang below the bung-hole, and kept down by a weight: so that the air, driven to the upper part of the barrel by the encroachment of the water in the descent, could not escape up this pipe, unless the lower end were lifted up. These air barrels were filled with tackle, which guided them to the bell, so thatthe ends of the pipes came readily to the hand of a man placed on the stage to receive them, and who taking up the ends of the pipes as soon as they came above the surface of the water in the barrels, all the air which was included in the barrels was forced into the bell. With this apparatus Dr. Halley, with four other persons, was able to remain for an hour and a half at the depth of nine fathoms, where he enjoyed sufficient light when the sea was clear, to be able to read and write. DOCKS, THE NEW, at Sheerness, opened, Sept. 5, 1823 DOCK YARD, The, Portsmouth, damage at 1770 The damage done at the Dock Yard, Portsmouth, by an incendiary fire, amounted to £150,000. DOG STEALERS' ACT passed 1770 The duty upon dogs laid on in 1796 ; again in 1808. DOOMSDAY BOOK. This book was composed in the time of William the Conqueror, from a survey of the several counties, hundreds, tithings, &c. The intent, or design of this book was, to be a register, by which sentence may be given in the tenures of estates, and from which that noted question, whether lands be ancient de- mesne or not, is still decided. The book yet remains in the Exchequer, fair and legible, consisting of two volumes, a greater and a lesser ; the greater comprehends all the counties of England, except Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Durham, and part of Lancashire, which were . THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 33 never surveyed; and, except Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, which are con- tained in the ^lesser volume. The Doomsday Book, (or Domesday Book) was begun in 1080, and endsd in 1086. DOMINGO ceded to the French in 1795 The Spaniards held the eastern part of this island upwards of three centuries, but the whole by the treaty of 1795, was ceded to the French; after which, it suffered much under all the successive rulers sent from France, the miseries of anarchy, cruelty, and oppression: in order to put an end to which, the Directory, in 1797i appointed the black General, Toussaint Louverture, Commander-in-chief, and Governor-general of the island, as a reward for the gallant manner in which he had defended it against the Eng- lish. He was a man of no common talents, and the happy effects of his administration proved the propriety of the appointment; but proceeding to give a new Constitution to the island, which though it acknowledged its dependence upon France, in fact separated it most essentially ; the French government iu 1802 sent an army of 25,000 men to enforce obedience, which after three months cruel war was effected, and Toussaiut afterwards sent prisoner to France. But the contest was soon renewed, and the insurgent blacks carried on, for a long time, a desolating war against the French army; the remains of which, harrassed on all sides, capitulated on the 19th of November, 1804, to the black general Dessalines, agreeing to evacuate Cape Francois, and retire to their ships, which were afterwards surrendered by the Convention to the English under Admiral Duckworth. The blacks having thus got rid of their enemies in that part of the island, proceeded to form a new government, under the title of the Republic (since changed to that of Empire) of Hayti, with General Dessalines at its head, who published a most vindictive Manifesto to the negroes, exciting them to vengeance against the French inhabitants, and, horrid to relate, these were given up for some days ; to indiscriminate butchery ! After this, intent on driving the French wholly from the island, he carried the war into the Spanish part, of which the town of St. Domingo is'the capital; but failing in this enterprise, the French re- tained the possession of it till 1809 ; when, by the assistance of the English,, their total expulsion from the island was effected, and the Spanish dominion again restored. Nor has the negro government of Hayti yet enjoyed any stability, having undergone several revolutions, and the sovereignty being still contested by two rival chiefs. DOMINICAL. The Dominical Letter, denoting the Lord's Day, or Sunday. The Dominical letter, in Chronology, is that which denotes the Sunday in Almanacks, &c. throughout the year ; of these letters there are consequently seven, beginning with the first letter of the Alphabet; and. as in leap years there is an inter- calary day, there are then two, the first of which denotes every Sunday till the intercalary day, and the second all the Sundays which follow after it. The dominical letter for any particular year being known, it may be readily found for any succeeding one, by observing that they move in a retrograde order, so that if in any given year the Sunday-letter was D, in the following year, (provided it was not leap-year,) it would be C, in the next year after that, B, and so on: but in leap-year there are two of them used, as for example, in the year 1803 the dominical letter was B, in 1804, (being leap- year) AG, in 1805, F, &c. DOMINICANS, the Order of, founded in 1215 An Order of religious, called in France Jacobins, and in England, Black Friars, or Preaching Friars. This Order, founded by St. Dominic, a native of Spain, was approved of by Pope Innocent III. in 1215, and confirmed by a Bull of Honorius III. in 1216, under St. Austin's Rules, and the founder's particular constitutions. No. 5. F 34 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. DONCASTER, Charter to, granted by James II. DORCHESTER LABOURERS, transportation of 1834 The Dorchester labourers were tried, found guilty, and received sentence of trans- portation for taking illegal oaths administred to them during the time of the Trades' Union of London Society. On the 31st of April, 1834, a meeting of the same took place at White Conduit House to petition the King, (Wm. IV.) to pardon them, which petition was not acceeded to until the year 1839, when, on their return, a grand dinner took place atthe before-mentioned Tavern, at which Mr. Wakley, and many of the leading Members of Reform were present. DOVER. A great part of a rock, called Shakespeare's Cliff, at this place, fell down, March 2, 1771, and part of the wall of the castle gave way. After the Conquest, a great part of the town was destroyed by fire, as it was also in the reign of Edward I. by the French, who landed in the night. DRAGOONS first raised in England 1681 They were sent to Oxford, to awe the people in a riot there, October 7, 1715. DRUIDS -destroyed by the command of Nero 60 The Druids were priests and ministers of religion amongst the Britons, Celtic Gauls, and Germans. They were, in Britain, the first and most distin- guished Order in the island, chosen out of the best families ; and the honours of their birth, added to those of their function, procured them the highest veneration. They were versed in Astronomy, Geometry, Natural Philo- sophy, Politics, and Geography ; had the administration of all sacred things ; were the interpreters of the gods, and supreme judges in all causes, whether ecclesiastical or civil. From their determination there was no appeal ; and whoever refused to acquiesce in their decisions, was reckoned impious, and excommunicated. They were generally governed by a single person, called an Arch-Druid, who presided in all their assemblies. Once a year they used to retire, or rather assemble in a wood, in the centre of the island, at which time they used to receive applications from all parts, and hear causes. Their peculiar opinions are not well ascertained by writers, though it is agreed by all, that they held the immortality of the soul, and its transmigration; that nothing could appease the gods more powerfully than human sacrifices ; and that there was one supreme Deity, who presided over all others. DRUMS, presented to the 1st Regiment of Life Guards . . . 1831 On the 6th of May, His Majesty, William IV. presented a pair of silver kettledrums to the First Regiment of Life Guards ; and on the 23d of July, in the same year, His Majesty also presented a pair of kettle drums to the Second reg-i- ment of Life Guards. DRURY LANE and ST. GILES' first paved by Act of Parliament 1605 DUELING, in civil matters, forbidden in France 1305 The first public one, 1096. Introduced into England in 1587. DUEL. — The Duke of Hamilton and Lord Mohun . 1712 On the 15th of November, 1712, the Duke of Hamilton, and Charles Lord Mohun, met by appointment in Hyde Park, accompanied by Gen. Macartney as second to the latter, and Colonel Hamilton as second to the Duke; they fought with swords, and with such fury, that Mohun was killed npon the spot, and the Duke of Hamilton expired before he could be conveyed to the keeper's house, at that time known by the name of the Cake-House, and ; THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 35 DUELS (continued.) which stood but a short distance from the Ring, where the duel took place. Lord Macartney escaped in disguise to the continent, and was accused by Colonel Hamilton upon oath before the Privy Council with having stabbed the Duke over his (the Colonel's) shoulder while he was in the act of raising him from the ground. A proclamation was issued offering £500. reward for the apprehension of Macartney, to which was added £300. by the Duchess of Hamilton. The Scotch Peers -addressing the Queen prayed that she would use all her influence with her allies, in order that the murderer might he brought to justice; but General Macartney having found favour at the Court of Hanever, was afterwards employed by George I. in bringing over the 6000 Dutch troops, at the breaking out of the Preston rebellion, soon after which he surrendered, and taking his trial at the King's Bench bar, was acquitted of the murder; being only found guilty of the manslaughter, by direction of the Court. The cause of the duel was said to be a dispute on the subject of a law-suit between the families ; but violent party politics no doubt produced a termination so sanguinary. The Duke of Hamilton was leader of the Tories, and suspected by the Whigs of favouring the Pretender ; he had also been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of France, at which the Whigs were much exasperated. Lord Mohun was an experienced duellist, and had killed two antagonists in previous combats; * he was, moreover, called the Hector of the Whig party, and it was generally believed had been selected to pick a quarrel with the Duke, and thus prevent his proceeding on his mission. The Duke of Marlborough, who was also publicly blamed as the author of all this mischief, immediately retired to the continent, whither he was shortly followed by his Duchess. DUEL. — John Wilkes, Esq. M. P. and Samuel Martin, Esq. M. P. November 16, 16T3 This duel arose out of a paragraph written by Mr. Wilkes in the North Briton; Mr. Martin, having declared in the House of Commons, that the writer of that paragraph was a stabber in the dark, a cowardly and malignant scoundrel: — Mr. Wilkes, immediately after the House broke up wrote a letter to Mr. Martin, avowing himself to be the author, and his readiness to give satisfaction; Mr. Martin insisted upon an immediate meeting at the Ring in Hyde Park with pistols. When the gentlemen met they walked together a little while to avoid some company which seemed coming up to them. They brought each a pair of pistols. When they were alone, operations commenced by the first fire from Mr. Martin which missed; the pistol in Mr. Wilkes' hand only flashed in the pan. Ea;h gentleman then took one of the remaining pistols : Mr. Wilkes' missed ; and the ball frcm Mr. Martin's pistol lodged in Mr. Wilkes' belly. He bled profusely, and Mr. Martin came up desiring to render all the assistance in his power. Mr. Wilkes replied that Mr. Martin had behaved like a man of honour, that he believed he should die, and insisted that Mr. Martin should immediately make his escape. Mr. Wilkes being then carried home, merely said to the surgeon, that it was an affair of honour. Mr. Graves extracted the ball, which first struck Mr. Wilkes' coat button, entered his belly about half an inch below the navel, and sunk obliquely, on the right side, towards the groin, but did not penetrate the abdomen. Mr. Martin immediately went to Paris; and on Mr. Wilkes' recovery, and proceeding to that capital, friendly visits were exchanged between them. DUEL. — George Garrick Esq. and Mr. Baddeley, March 17 1770 This duel was fought in Hyde Park, when Mr. Garrick having received the fire of his antagonist, discharged his pistol into the air, which produced a 36 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. DUELS, (continued.) reconciliation. Mr. G. Garrick was the brother of the celebrated tragedian, David Gariick, and the memory of Mr. Baddeley is preserved by a sum of "money which he bequeathed for the purchase of a twelfth cake, to be drawn for annually by the performers at Diury-lane Theatre. DUEL. — Mr. Whateley, and John Temple, Esq. De- cember 11, 1 773 This duel was fought in Hyde Park, when Mr. Whateley was dangerously wounded j he was brother of Mr. Whateley, late Secretary to the Treasury, and his antagonist was Lieutenant-Governor of New Hampshire. The cause of the quarrel was : — the discovery of the confidential letters written by Messrs. Hutchinson, Oliver, Paxton, &c. which were lately laid before the Assembly at Boston, and were afterwards published in the London papers. DUEL.— The Earl of Shelburne, and Col. Fullarton, M. P. for Plympton, March 22, 1780 Lord Shelburne, with Lord Frederick Cavendish for his second, and Colonel Fullarton, with Lord Balcarras acting as his second, met at half-past five in Hyde Park. Lord Balcarras and Lord F. Cavendish, prop! sed that both parties should obey the seconds. Lord Shelburne and Colonel Fullarton walked together, while the seconds adjusted the ceremonials, and fixed on pistols as tbe proper weapons ; they fought at twelve paces distance, both parties missed on the first fire ; on the second fire, Colonel Fullarton's ball struck Lord Shelburne in the groin ; his Lordship fell, and then fired his pistol in the air. The seconds now interfered and immediately declared, " That the parties had ended the affair, by behaving like men of the strictest honour." DUEL.— The Rev. W. Bate, and M. R.— -, a Student in the Law, September 7, 1780 The parties met in Hyde Park at half-past four in the' morning: the quarrel arose out of some circu-.nstances connected with the Morning Post, in which they were both engaged. The chance of the first fire falling to Mr Bate, he discharged his pistol, and hit Mr. R in the fleshy part of his aim ; the wound, however, was not sufficient to incapacitate him from returning the fire, which he did, but without effect. The seconds now interfering, the affair was adjusted. DUEL. — The Rev. Mr. Allen, and Lloyd Dulany, Esq. June 26, 1782 These gentlemen met in Hyde Park, at half-past nine in the evening, attended by Delancy, Esq. as second to Mr. Dulany, and Robert Morris, Esq. as second to Mr. Allen. At the first fire, Mr. Dulany received a mortal wound, but lingered a few days, and died at his house in Park-street, Grosvenor- squarc. He was a gentleman of excellent character, and possessed lar«e property in Maryland. The Rev. Mr. Allen and his second surrendered themselves, and were tried at the Old Bailey on an indictment for murder, on the (5th of July, 17S2, when it was proved that the quarrel had been of three years standing, and originated in a paragraph written by Mr Allen, reflecting upon the character of Mr. Dulany, which was published in the Morning- Post, June 29, 1779. The Jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter against Mr. Allen, and acquitted Morris. Mr. Alien was sen- tenced to pay a fine of one shilling, and to be imprisoned six months in Newgate. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 37 DUEL. — The Hon. Cosmo Gordon, and Lieut.-Col. Thomas, September 4, 1783 These gentlemen met at the Ring in Hyde Park at six in the morning. It was agreed by the seconds, that after receiving the pistols they should advance and fire when they pleased. On arriving within about eight yards of each other, they presented, and drew their triggers nearly at the same time, when only the Colonel's pistol went off. The Lieut. -Colonel having adjusted his pistol, fired, and his antagonist reeeived a severe contusion on the thigh. Their second pistols were fired without effect, and their friends called to re- load them ; after Avhich they again advanced to nearly the same distance, and fired, when the Lieut. -Colonel fell, having received a ball in his body. He was immediately attended by a skilful surgeon who extracted the ball on the spot; the wound, however, notwithstanding every attention, proved mortal. DUEL.— Capt. Charles Mostyn, and Capt. Clarke, January , 1 784 This duel took place in a field, near Little Chelsea, between Captain Charles Mostyn, of the Navy, and Captain Clarke, of the African Corps, which termi- nated in the death of the former, who was shot through the heart. The quarrel originated in defence of a lew, who went about diverting company, by taking off Mr. Fox. Some words arising, Captain Clarke was reduced to the necessity of insisting on an apology, or calling Captain Mostyn to ac- count. Captain Mostyn was a gallant officer, aged 25, who, for his intrepid behaviour, had been made Post Captain in the Solitaire, a French ship of the Hue, taken by the Ruby. DUEL.— Lord Macartney, and General Stewart, June 8, This duel was fought near Kensington : the following account of this affair, signed by the Seconds, was published at the time. The place and time of meeting, having been previously fixed, the parties arrived about half-past four in the morning, and took their ground at the distance of twelve short paces, measured off by the Seconds, who delivered to each a pistol, keeping possession of the remaining arms. " General Stewart told Lord Macartney, he doubted, as his Lordship was short-sighted, he would not be able to see him." His Lordship replied, " he did, perfectly well." When the Seconds had retired a little on one side, and as the parties were about to level, General Stewart observed to Lord Macartney, " that his pistol was not cocked." His Lordship thanked him, and cocked. When they had levelled, General Stewart said, " he was ready." His Lordship answered, " he was likewise ready," and they both fired within a few seconds of each other. The Seconds observing Lord Macartney wo mded, stepped up to him, and declared the matter must rest here. Ge- neral Stewart said, '•' this is no satisfaction," and asked " if his Lordship was not able to fire another pistol?" His Lordship replied, " he would try with pleasure," and urged Colonel Fullarton to permit him to proceed. The Seconds, however, declared it was impossible, and they would on no account allow it. General Stewart said, " then I must defer it till another occasion;" on which his Lordship answered, " if thatbe the case, we had better proceed now; I am here in conse iience of a message from General Stewart, who called upon me, to give him satisfaction in my private capacity, for offence taken at my public conduct; and to evince that personal safety is no consi- deration with me. I have nothing personal; the General may proceed as he thinks fit." General Stewart said, " It was his Lordship's personal conduct to him that he resented." The Seconds then put an end to all further conversation. The surgeons, Messrs. Hunter and Home, who were attending at a little distance, were brought up by Colonel Fullarton. Colonel Gordon in the mean time, assisted his Lordship in taking ofF his coat, and requested him to sit down, appre- 38 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. DUELS, (continued.) hending he might faint^th rough loss of blood. Colonel Gordon then left the ground, in company with General Stewart, and an easy carriage was provided to convey Jlis Lordship home." (Signed) W. Fullarton, A. Gordon. DUEL. — Sir John Macpherson, and Major Browne, September 10, 1787 These gentlemen met in Hyde Park, near Grosvenor Gate, about eleven o'clock ; three shots were exchanged, without bloodshed, when both parties quitted their ground, and approaching each other, said a I'ew words, and parted with salutations of civility, DUEL. — His R. H. The Duke of York, and Colonel Lennox, 1 789 The origin of the quarrel has. not been made publicly Known. The Earl of Moira acted as second to His Royal Highness, and the Earl of Winchelsea, as Colonel Lennox's. The ball from Colonel Lennox's pistol took off one of the curls of His Royal Highness' hair ; and that of the Royal Duke, a button from the breast of Colonel Lennox's coat. This duel caused great sensation, and gave much offence to the Royal Family. DUEL.— Mr. Frizell, and Mr. Clarke, June 1792 It appeared that Mr. Frizell and Mr. Clarke, both Students of the Law, accompa- nied by Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Evans, were at the Cecil Coffee House, where Mr. Frizell lodged. They drank till one in the morning, when Mr. Frizell declining to drink any more, Mr. Clarke became very abusive, and although Mr. Frizell offered to apologize, Mr. Clarke insisted that he should meet him in Hyde Park in an hour from that time, viz. three o'clock. Mr. Evans and Mr. Montgomery having in vain attempted to make up the quarrel, eventually attended them to the ground as seconds. The ball from Mr. Clarke's pistol penetrated Mr. Frizell' s collar-bone; he instantly fell, and in falling-, his pistol went off. Mr. Montgomery immedi- ately ran for a coach to convey him to a surgeon's, but on his return, found that Mr. Frizell had expired. They were immediately apprehended by a party of soldiers, but shortly afterwards liberated by order of the Command- ing Officer, when the whole party got into a coach with the hody, and drove off. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Evans got out in Piccadilly, and escaped. They were all young men, and natives of Ireland. The Jury who sat on the body of Mr. Frizell, returned a verdict of wilful murder. DUEL. — Mr. Wm. Carpenter, and Mr. John Pride, August 20, 1796 These gentlemen were both Americans ; having taken their ground in Hyde Park, Mr. Carpenter received his antagonist's ball in the side, which pene- trated nearly through his body; and notwithstanding it was immediately extracted, he died soon after. A Coroner's jury afterwards returned a verdict of wilful murder. DUEL. — Colonel King, and Colonel Fitzgerald, Oc- tober, c : 1797 The distressing circumstances attending this duel caused a great sensation at the time in the public mind. The facts are as follows : — it appears that Colonel Fitzgerald had seduced the Hon. Miss King, daughter of Lord Kingsborough, at the same time being married to a lady who who was second cousin to Miss -, King, and had caused her to elope with him from Lady Kingsborough, her THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 39 DUELS, (continued) mother, who resided at Windsor. The lady having been discovered after great difficulty, was forcibly taken home to her friends. As soon as Lord Kingsborougli, who was in Ireland, heard of the fate of his daughter, he came to England with his son, Colonel King, determined to call him to a personal and severe account. A meeting was appointed near the Magazine in Hyde Park : Colonel King was accompanied by Major Wood as his second ; but Colonel Fitz- gerald came alone. After exchanging six shots without effect, Colonel Fitzgerald's powder and balls being all expended, it was agreed they should meet again the next morning. Both Colonels were however put under arrest the same day. The sequel to this extraordinary affair is most tragical. It appears that the young lady was removed to her father's residence at Mitchelstown, near Kilworth, in Ireland. A discarded servant became the bearer of a letter to Colonel Fitzgerald, which induced him immediately to follow her. Colonel King, now Lord Kingsborough, his father being created Earl of Kingston, having received intelligence of his arrival, immediately proceeded to Kil- worth, and went to the apartment in which the Colonel lodged. Having demanded admittance, and being refused, the enraged young nobleman forced open the door, and running to a case of pistols lying in the room seized one, and called on the Colonel to defend himself; they instantly grappled, and whilst struggling, the Earl of Kingston entered the room, having come in pursuit of his son, and seeing- that his life was in danger, immediately fired upon the Colonel, and killed him on the spot. Colonel Fitzgerald thus fell a victim to the most horrible infatuation and depravity, lamented by no one who reflected on his dishonourable conduct in this affair. DUEL. LlEUTENAT . W OF THE NAVY, AND CAPT. I of the Army, March, 1803 These gentlemen met in Hyde Park, and fought at six paces distance ; on the first fire, Lieutenant W received the ball of his adversary on the guard of his pistol, which tore away the thirS and fourth fingers of his riyht hand. The son of Neptune, apparently callous to pain, wrapped his handkerchief round his hand, and swore he had another, which never failed him. On the second fire both parties fall ; Captain I was shot through the head and immedi- ately expired. Lieutenant W. received the ball in his left breast, and enquiring if his antagonist's wound was mortal, and being answered in the affirmative, he thanked heaven he had lived thus long, requested that a mourning ring, which was on his finger, might be given to his sister, and that she might be assured, it was the happiest moment he ever knew. He had scarcely finished the word, when a quantity of blood burst from his wound, and he expired almost without a struggle. DUEL. — Lord Camelford, and Captain Best 1804 This meeting took place at Chalk Farm. The quarrel originated in consequence of the fighting of Lord Camelford's favourite Newfoundland dog with that of Captain Best. His Lordship conceiving that Captain Best had acted with unnecessary cruelty in the separation of the animals, angry words took took place, and a meeting was the consequence. The ball of Captain Best took effect, and caused the death of his Lordship in a very short time. The Captain was a fatal duellist. DUEL.— Mr. Jeffreys, and Mr. Moore, 1806 The duel between Mr. Jeffreys and Mr. Moore, was to have taken place at Chalk Farm, but was prevented by the interference of the Magistracy ; and on examining the pistols, they were found to be without bullets. This circum- stance gave rise to much mirth in the prints of the day. 40 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. DUEL. — Sir Francis Burdett, and Mr. Paul, 1806 This duel originated in the Brentford Election. Sir Francis Burdett was severely wounded in the leg, from the ball of his antagonist. DUEL. — Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. Canning, Sep- tember 21, 1809 In this duel, Mr. Canning was wounded in the thigh; this was followed"by the resignation of the combatants, and the Duke of Portland. DUEL. — The Duke of Wellington, and the Earl of Winchilsea, 1829 The origin of this quarrel was in consequence of some pointed remarks of the Earl of Winchilsea, relative to the motives of the Duke in grantins Catholic Emancipation. The Duke having fired, the Earl of Winchilsea discharged his pistol in the air. The affair then terminated. DUEL. — Sir John Jeffcott, and Peter Hennis, Esq. M.D.May 10, 1833 Sir John Jeffcott was the newly appointed Judge of Sierra Leone. The cause of offence was an unfounded rumour that the deceased had aspersed Sir John Jeffott's character. So generally was Dr. Hennis beloved for his charity and amiable manners, that the wanton sacrifice of his life excited an universal burst of indignation in the city of Exeter ; and his remains were honoured with a public funeral, at which about 2.50 gentlemen attended as mourners. He was a native of Ireland, as was his antagonist. DUEL. — Prince Louis Napoleon, and Le Comte Leon, (prevented) 1840 Prince Louis Napoleon, said to be a son of Bonaparte, and Le Comte Leon, were brought up to Bow-street Office, charged with having- intended to break the peace by fighting a duel on Wimbledon Common. Inspector 1'earce stated, that having had intimation that a duel would be fought that morning between the above parties on the Common, he proceeded thither on horseback, and found the two principals and their seconds, Lieut. -Colonel J. Ratcliffe, of the 6th Dragoons, and Colonel C. Parquin, together with Count D'Orsay, and Martiel Kien, assembled, and as their intentions were evident, he, with other assistants, took the whole of the party into custody. The Magistrate declined hearing any statement as to the cause of the quarrel, and bound the Prince, the Count, and the seconds, to keep the peace for twelve months, the prin- cipals in £500. and one surety in £500, ; and the seconds in £100. each. Mr. Bates, of Poitland place, was surety for Prince Louis Napoleon, and Col. Parquin, and Mr. Fenton for Comte Leon, and the Hon. F. Baring, M.P. for Colonel Ratcliffe and Count D'Orsay. Kien was held to bail in his own recognizance in £100. the two latter as aiders and abettors. It appeared that two letters had been written by Le Comte Leon to his cousin, as he was styled, demanding that he would retract certain expressions respecting their relationship which he was alleged to have made use of, and his not comply- ing gave rise to the quarrel. DUNKI RK taken by the English and French 1 658 Afterwards put into the hands of the English, and sold to the French, by King Charles II. in 1662. After this it was fortified by Vauban, in a very extra- ordinary manner, the doing of which cost the king of France immense sums. But it being a place where the French privateers were stationed in the time of war, the fortifications were demolished, in consequence of the Treaty of Utrecht, in 1713. The French afterwards attempted to re-build the works; but they were ordeied to be demolished hy the Peace of 1763; but by the Peace of 1783, they were again permitted to repair them. In 1793, the English army, under the Duke of York, attempted to take it, but failed. THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. 41 DUNMOW, GREAT. In the veign of Henry III. the Lord Fitzwalter instituted a custom here, which is still the tenure of the manor, that whatever married man did not repent of his marriage, or quarrel with his wife, in a year and a day afterwards, should go to the Priory, and receive from the lord a gammon or flitch of bacon, pro- vided he swore to the truth of it. Some old records here mention several that have claimed and received this reward; and it has bean received so lately as since the year 1750, by a weaver and his wii'e of Coggeshall. It has been demanded more recently, but the demand is now evaded, from the ceremony being attended with considerable expense to the lord of the manor. DUNNOTAR CASTLE, forfeiture .of 1715 Dunnotar Castle, in the county of Aberdeen, a place of great strength, which belonged formerly to the Earl Mareschal of Scotland, but was forfeited by him, in consequence of his being concerned in the Rebellion of the above date. DUNSTAFFNAGE, formerly the Seat of the Scottish Kings in 843 Dunstaffnage, in Argyleshire, Scotland, formerly the seat of the Scottish Kings, previous to the overthrow of the Pijtish government. It was here that Robert Bruce held a Parliament before he got entire possession of Scotland, and there are still many ancient monuments. The famous stone on which our kings are still crowned in Westminster Abbey, was carried from hence to Scone by Kenneth II, DURHAM, first sent Members to Parliament in 1673 An Episcopal See was erected there in 995, and the richest in Britain. The Cathedral, which is a magnificent pile, was, before the Reformation, called St. Mary's and St. Cuthbert's, the body of which last, was translated hither, and gave rise to the foundation of its Cathedral; but in the Statutes of King Henry VIII., it is styled, " Ecclesia Cathedralis Christi ET BeaTjE Mari^:." The decorations of it for the administration of the Divine offices are said to be richer than those of any other cathedral in England. The remains of the Roman way, called Ickneld-street, are still visible near the city. The Members for the city are chosen by the Corporation, citizens, and freemen, who, at a poll in 1710, were about 1000. DUTCH FLEET, The, sailed up the Mechvay, to Chatham 1667 In the above year, the Dutch sailed up the Medwayto Chatham, mastered Sheer- ness, and retired without any loss, after having taken many vessels. EARTHQUAKES, one in London, February 8, 1750 Earthquakes have been numerous in various parts: the following are the prin- cipal ones: — in London, one month from the above. — At Poonah, in the East Indies, when 2000 people perished, June 16, 1819. — One in Italy, where 40,000 people perished, 1783. — Three in Calabria Ulterior, and Sicily, de- stroying a great number of towns and inhabitants, February 5, 7, and 28, 1783. — At Jamaica, November, 1813. Again at Jamaica. June 7, 1692. — At Naples, where 20,000 people perished, July 26, 1805. — The City of Carraccas, destroyed, March 23, 1811. — At St. Vincent and Barbadoes, De- cember 23, 1816. — At Trinadad, September 20, 1825. — At Santa Fe de Bogota, November 16, 1827. — At Lima and Calac, in Peru, which was totally swallowed up, in 1745. — At Colombia, which destroyed the city of Pasto. EARTHQUAKE, the great one at Lisbon, in 1755 The whole number of persons that perished, including those who were burnt, or No. 6- G 42 THE NEW TABLET OF MEMORY. EARTHQUAKES, (continued.) afterwards crushed to death whilst digging in the ruins, is supposed, on the lowest calculation, to amount to more than 60,000 ; and though the damage in other respects cannot be computed, yet some idea may be formed on the recollection of its former grandeur and opulence. Imagine for a moment the havoc made in one single instance. There was a high-arched passage, front- ing the west door of the ancient cathedral ; near which was the famous church of St. Antonio, surrounded by private houses, consisting of several stories; the whole of which did not much exceed any of our small courts in London. Numbers of people were passing at the moment of the first shock ; at this instant, the fronts of the church, and contiguous buildings, which had inclined to each other, on a sudden fell down, and buried every soul of them. EAST INDIA COMPANY, (The.) The East Indies were first discovered by the Romans, but authors vary as to the precise time ; it is known, however, that Alexander the Great, made con- quests in this country, 327, B. C. ; by the Portuguese, 1437 ; conquered in 1500, and settled by them in 1506, the first settlement being Goa. First commercial intercourse of the English with, 1591. The Company's Charter granted, December 31, 1600 ; incorporated the 43rd of Elizabeth for fifteen years afterwards ; made a body politic, 7th James I. which was confirmed by Charles II. 1661, who made them a present of the Islands of Bombay and St. Helena; confirmed again by 2nd James II. and on condition that these Charters should be void on three year's notice from the Crown. The New Company established, 1698; the Old one re-established 1700; agreed to give the Government £400,000. a year, for five years, provided they might continue unmolested , February, 1769; house built, 1726: enlarged, 1799; apply to Parliament for relief. 1772, under their difficulties, and obtained a loan of £1,400,000.; India Billjpasse