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New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 322, 7 February 1844, Page 4

A Considerate 1 Thunderbolt. — We find this iii Galigtiuni's Messenger : — " The electric fluid* entered a house, neat Clermont (riaute-Marhe), on the 20th, and went three times round the kitchen. It then took Off the cap of the woman of the house, without doing her any harm. Thence it passed to a stable, and killed two fowls and a cow, leaving several" other animals untouched. It finally disappeared through a hayrick, but riot setting the hay on fire.

Wesi-etam. MtSsiotfs. — The principal paper under the control of the Wesleyan Methodists states .that the income of their Society is insufficient to support the existing stations, much less to enable the committee to enter upon any more extensive plans for .the evangelisation of the World.

The Prince of Wales. — On the occasion of Prince Albert's birth-day, on Saturday week, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales was elegantly dressed, as Duke of Rothsay, in a complete Highland costume ; and their Toyal highnesses the princesses wore corresponding dresses. Mr. Barber, of Pallmall, was honoured with her Majesty's commands for the young prince-'s costume. The costume of the Prince of Wales was privately prepared by direction of her Majesty as an agreeable surprise to Prince Albert. The young prince looked admirably. Every minutisi of the Scotch costume was preserved in miniature.

The Accident to Lord Ltndoch. — This venerable nobleman, after the fall from liis poney while shooting, on Monday week, returned the same day to Lyndoch, and next day his lordship was on the streets of Perth, apparently uninjured by the accident. — Bell's Life in London, September 3, 1843.

The Cartoons. — Friday being the last day for the exhibition of the cartoons at Westminster Hall, to which the public go free, the hall was more numerously attended than on any previous day. It is calculated that there have been upwards of 300,000 visitors of all classes who have attended this novel exhibition, the greatest order and decorum having been observed throughout, and, not a single robbery has been brought to the police office as having taking place during the whole period.

A jetty similar to that of Margate, is to be erected at Dover, in consequence of the inconvenience attendant upon the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. A meeting was held on Friday at the Town Hall, and, it was determined to commence immediately.

Lord Brougham at Home. — A short time since the benevolent William Allen, and a few other gentlemen who take an active part in carrying out the plans of the British and Foreign School Society, were employed in beating up for subscriptions in aid of the contemplated extension of the Society's operations. They found themselves in Berkeley Square ; and " Shall we call on Brougham 1" was the natural inquiry, on arriving at his lordship's door. Some thought it would be useless ; but the opinion in favour of an application to his lordship's sympathy was the most prevalent. The eccentric ex-Chancellor was at home, and the gentlemen speedily found themselves in his presence. William Allen was spokesman. He stated the object of their visit, referred to the purposed extension of the Society's plans, and reminded Lord Brougham that he was among the earliest friends and advocates of the institution ; they therefore hoped he would not now desert it., His lordship bestrode the room with irregular and hasty steps. Vehement gesticulations gave additional force to strong asseverations of unabated regard for their institution. " Desert the British and Foreign School Society ? Impossible ! Whenever I forget it, may my right hand forget its cunning." With, many similar expressions of fervent attachment to the Institution, and the objects it is designed to secure, Lord Brougham prepared the deputation before him for a substantial pro of of his attachment. At the close of a vehement speech,* he bolted from the room. Expectation was on the tiptoe. He was gone to write a cheque, or to bring the money, he designed to subscribe. — The gentlemen waited until their patience was exhausted, and at length retired, greatly marvelling at what they had seen and heard. — Weekly Dispatch, September 3.

The First of September. — Friday being the first day of partridge shooting, the departure of sportsmen by the early trains, v»as very numerous, and the immense quantity of game received . by. the. night trains, gave evidence that the sport must have been first rate.

The Right. Rev. Dr. Wilson, the newly appointed Catholic Bishop of Hobart Town, was expected to leave London for Sydney, in the month of August!,

On Saturday week his Highness the Duke de la Victoria, regent of Spain, accompanied by the Earl of Abdrdefeh and Colonel Gurrea, went to Windsor Castle, and after an audience of her Majesty, returned to town, '

The Lakes. — The northern lake districts were never known to be so thoroughly crowded with tourists, many of whom have had great difficulty in obtaining houses. The most distinguished of them avail themselves of the opportunity of calling uport William Wordsworth, the poet, of Rydal Mount.

Bishop Strachan has appointed a professor of the " Oxford Theology " to lie university of Toronto, Upper Canada. On the morning of Tuesday, the 20th July, as the locker of a warehouse in Dunbar Street, Liverpool, was opening the concern, he discovered inside the main entrance a piece of cotton with some lucifer matches in the centre. The cotton was partially burnt round the edges, and was placed about the length of a man's arm inside the door way, through a hole which was made for the ingress and egress of cats, so that scarcely any doubt existed that it had been placed there for the purpose of setting fire to the premises. An investigation took place before the magistrates, and from what transpired little doubt appeared to be entertained that the late fires in Liverpool had been the work of incendiaries.

A correspondent in the Liverpool Times, states that the amount of property destroyed by fire in Liverpool since the 12th September, 1842, to June 23rd, 1843, considerably exceeds the enormous sum of £600,000 ; and as that period comprises something less than forty weeks, it follows that the average weekly loss in that time has been more than £15,000.

It is said that the Lord Chancellor has determined to establish a winter gaol delivery, to intervene between the Summer and spring assizes, and that the Judges of Common Pleas, would be appointed to go on the winter

circuit.

Servility. — Many people are dreadfully shocked at any thing like impudence or insolence. It does not affect us at all, but we have a horror of servility. The former often partakes of the nature of independence ; the latter always of that of meanness. We do not mind a man taking off his hat, but one that will not put it on again in spite of all that can be said to him is a great annoyance. We do not dislike a little vanity ; it is ever an ingredient in the composition of agreeableness. There is a sweetish, palpy manner, which we have observed uniformly covers, both in men and women, a bitter kernel. What we most depend upon is a sort of slow, substantial, John Bullish civility. On the 4th August, it was agreed in a Committee of Supply, to grant the sum of £1,281,000, as compensation to the owners of Opium surrendered at Canton.

The riots in Wales continue to an alarming extent.

There was a terrible fire in Tooley-street, on the morning of the 19th of August ; it broke out in an oil and colour shop,' and extended to the river, destroying many warehouses, and three ships. The beautiful church of St. Olave's was entirely burnt down. The same morning there was a fire in a firework-raaker'a in Fetter-lane, at which five lives were lost.

Trade was improving, and we notice that there is a slight advance, likely to be progressive, in the price of wool!

There had been a good demand for Southern oil, and 170 tuns offered at public sale were readily taken off at firmer prices ; first quality fet6hed £35 to £35 10s., one lot £35 155., and second and third quality £33 10., to £34 15s. per tun.

The King of Hanover, after a stay of three months in England, had taken his departure for his dominions.

There was a new movement amongst the Puseyites, who were engaged in raising a fund of £250,000 for the education of the children of the working classes. In a list of subscriptions, there are several of £200, £100, and down even to £1, the general amount given by curates of the Establishment. Nearly £50,000 had been already contributed. The litosTßious Exile. — The Common Council of London have agreed to present an address to the Regent of Spain, congratulating him on his ariival in this country. The Lord Mayor, with his usual hospitality, has determined to give a dinner, at which the address will be presented. The compliment to be paid tb General Espartero by the greatest: municipal corporation in England cannot fail to be most grateful tb his feelings, because it is a testimonial of respect for the patriotism and integrity of his public career. The differences of opinion which were expressed in the council, referred chiefly to points of law . ant * f?! m > an( *» wi** 1 one °* two uhiraportant exception's, did not indicate any feeling unfavoutable to the Regent. We trust' that the address of the Corporation of London 'tyill not be the only 'expression of the sentiments entertained by the people of this country for their illusterious guest. Superstition is the weakness of s strong; minds, and the strength of weaVohes, • ■ j

Father fcf athew at Hackniy. -~ On Monday the Rev. T. Mathew paid a visit to Hackney, for the purpose of administering the total abstinence pledge to the inhabitants of that populous locality, and the north-eastern districts. The proceedings' throughout were, either on account of the wet, or some other circumstances, thinly attended; there were, however, a great number of Dissenting Ministers, members of the Society of Friends, and the resident gentry present. Father Mathew arrived shortly after 11 o'clock, and: ob presenting himself to the meeting was well received. He said he was not to be influenced or intimidated by the scandal and obloquy which were attempted to be cast upon his motives, but he was ready to bear -any thing for the cause of total abstinence. The Rev: Mr. Thompson then came forward and congratulated the meeting on the arrival of Father Mathew in England. He had seed the effects of the total abstinence movement upon the working classes, and he was convinced that it was good, not only for their bodies but their souls. A working man named Palmer, Mr. Came, the Rev. Mr. Moore, and several other persons addressed the meeting, and from 400 to 500 persons received the pledge during the day. On Thursday Father Mathew transferred his labours from the suburbs to the City of London, and the use of the Bunhill Cemetry, Golden-lane, was obtained for holding the meeting. Father Mathew arrived on the ground about half-past 12, and on ascending the platform the military band began playing what they wished to be understood as " See the conquering Hero comes," and the people cheered vehemently. The pupils of Mr. Jauch afterwards sang a hymn of welcome ; and the rev. gentlemen proceeded to acknowledge all the compliments at once. The pledging nest began, and some hundreds were made teetotalers in quick time. At 7 o'clock the meeting broke up. It was supposed that from 10,000 to 15,000 persons bad been there in the course of the day, and upwards of 1000 bad taken the pledge. Ireland. — The Queen's speech, as might natu.aly have been expected, created some stir in Ireland. At a meeting of the Repeal Association, O'Connell called the speech " the essence of stupidity and impudence." He would set a day apart for the consideration of that speech, and move that the Association, at its rising, adjourn till the next day for that purpose. He could not help observing, that the Queen's speech was the minister*, and that it was no more her speech than it was his. The sentiments it contained were those of her minister, and he wished this to be perfectly understood in Ireland, because he was desirous of counteracting the incitement to disaffection of which that minister had been guilty, by putting forth such a speech. A more traitorous project had never been concocted than by putting such a speech into her Majesty's mouth, to endeavour to sever the affections of the Irish people from their venerated sovereign. Affec.iou was the best protection and preservative of allegiance, and that affection the minister attempted to destroy. That any party should have the daring profligacy to strive to weaken this love and veneration for their Queen was an extent of guilt which he did not think that even the present ministry would be capable of. The Repealers were accused of disaffection and discontent, but he wished to consider on whose side the incitement to disaffection was. He denied that there was any disaffection among the Irish people ; be admitted there was discontent, and tie discontent would continue till justice was done to the country.

In a pamphlet recently published by General Sir George Cockburn, the gallant officer, says " Ireland cannot remain as at present. The ministry no matter whether Whig or Tory, hate, or will soon have, to determine between, and adopt one of the following measures :~-lst. To try the effect of Repeal — 2nd. T6 uphold the Union coute gut toute, but with 'every possible measure of justice and conciliation to Ireland ; or 3rd. She must at once—- sad and tragical remedy, appeal to the sword."