GENERAL SUMMARY

London, 2Gth August. The Australian June Mails were delivered in London on the 14th and 20th of August. Her Majesty the Queen enjoys uninterrupted health. The Prince and Princess of Wales intend visiting Denmark. They will be escorted by the Channel fleet. Parliament was prorogued on the 29th July. The Queen's speech dwells chiefly on the observance of strict neutrality between the belligerents in America. Viscount Palmeraton is in excellent health, and enjoys increasing popularity. The Earl of Carlisle has resigned the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland in consequence of ill health. The Vice-Royalty has been offered to the Marquis of Lansdownc and to the Duke of Devonshire, but both have declined. The appointment of Prince Alfred to the post has been suggested, and much discussed. The 'Times thinks that Lord Wodehouse will be Lord Carlisle's successor. Sir Charles Macarthy, the Governor of Ceylon, died in Belgium on the 14th August. Mr Lawrence Olipha'nt is likely to be appointed to the vacancy. It is expected that pensions to Governors of Colonies on their retirement from public service will be granted shortly by I the Government. It is said that the Marquis of Westminster (?)i Sir Charles Wood, Mr Wentworth Beaumont, Sir W. Bnlkeley, and Mr Denison (the Speaker), are to be raised to the Peerage.

A colossal statue of the late Erince Consort is to be inaugurated at Perth by the Queen on the 30th of August.

Several detachments of Engineers' Sappers and Miners, are under embarkation orders for New Zealand.

The Victoria Cross has been conferred on Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. M'Neill, and S. Mitchell (captain of the fore-top of IT.M.S. Harrier), for gallantry in New Zealand.

The foundation stone of a monument to Daniel O'Connell was laid in Sackville street, Dublin, on Bth August, amidst immense enthusiasm. A general holiday was observed on the occasion.

Serious and disgraceful riofa have taken place at Belfast between Protestants and Catholic?, arising out of the O'Connell demonstration in Dublin. The town for twelve days was virtually in possession of furious mobs, numbering upwards of 70,000, who committed frightful excesses; churches of different driinminations were broken into and sacked ; numbers of houses were demolished, and black mail was levied for the purchase of ammunition. The Mayor and some of the Magistrates left town dining the riots. Sixty persons were killed, and two hundred received gunshot wounds. At last, with the assistance of 5000, troops the Constabulary and Special Constables, the Magistrates were enabled to quell this disgraceful disturbance. The Lord Lieutenant of the County (the Marquis of Donegal) has severally censured the Mayor and Magistrates for neglecting their duty.

A fearful hurricane, unequalled since 1839, has raged over Great Britain and Ireland. Immense damage has resulted. The storm was neither expected nor prognosticated by the Admiralty nor the Chief of the Meteorological Department.

Excessive heat has prevailed during the month and several lives have been lost bysunstroke.

Seven miles of Woolmer Forest have been destroyed by fire.

An earthquake took place at St. Helena on the 15th July, being the fourth within, the last two centuries.

The preliminary arrangements for laying the Atlantic and Anglo Australian Telegraphs are progressing,

The detectives employed to arrcstMuller, the supposed railway carriage murderer of Mr Brings, had arrived at New York, to await his arrival per Victoria, sailing ship.

The emigration from Ireland is rapidly subsiding.

The adverse decision of the House of Lords in the Yclverton case, has excited n. wide-spread sj'inpathy for Miss Longworth. Proceedings have been commenced in Scotland, to place Major Yelverton on. oath. This step, notwithstanding the judgment of the Hou>e of Lords, will finally decide the question as to the Scotch, marriage.

It is expected that the Shakespeare Memorial Fund will be appropriated to the foundation of a Dramatic College and Schools.

Goodwood Races. — Stewards' Cup r Marigold, 1 ; Argonaut, 2. Goodwood Stake's—Blondin, 1 ; Guerilla, 2. Goodwood Cup—Doltar, 1 ; East Lancashire, 2 ; Hanger, 3. Great Yorkshire Stakes— Miner, 1; Blair Athol, 2. The race was disputed.

The Thames Champion Cup has been awarded to Cooper.

Colonial Government Securities—New South Wales Five per Cents, 18GG, Jany. and July, 97, 97 to 99 ; Victorian Six per Cents, April and October, 109 tollO; Queensland Six per Cents., January and July, 101 to 104; South Australian Six per cents, 1878, 106 to 108; New Zealand Sixes, not quoted.

Owing to the rise in bank discount wool fell three half-pence, but afterwards recovered itself to the amount of one penny per pound.

Obituary. — Major-General Brereton, Colonel Hyslop, Mujor Biggs, Lord Rodney, Mr F. Scully, Mr Divett, M.l\; Mr Bruce, Lady Ellerton, Miss Southey, Mi3s Sinclair, Mr llobson (the actor), Mr C. W. Dilke, Mr George Otter, Mr Sergeant Mereweather,- Vice Admirals Morier and Drake, Mr Hastie, M.P.