ENGLISH NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 90, 5 February 1853, Page 3

ENGLISH NEWS.

The P. and O. Co.'s steam-ship " Chilean," from Singapore, with the overland mail, arrived at Sydney on the 10th Dec. She left Singapore November Ist, and brings dates from England to September 241h. The event most fraught with interest to the whole civilised world is the Death of the Duke of Wellington, which look place at Walmer Castle on the 14th of September. "We copy the following notice of the Duke's death from the Overland "Atlas," September 24th :—

" The great event of the fortnight — the death of the Duke of Wellington — has so entirely absorbed public attention that there has been scarcely another topic of conversation. Although every one knew that the event which has just occurred could not be long delayed ; although more than one serious warning that the Iron Duke's constitution was at length yielding to the inevitable decay of nature, had been given in unmistakcable terms ; yet every one feels surprised that the noble old man, in his S4th year, has suddenly been taken from amongst us. Had his illness continued for a week, or even foi 1 two or throe days, the nation would have looked cxpectingly for the result which has occurred ; but the suddenness of his death has taken all by surprise — as if death would nev or dare to assail the hero who had so often met the grim enemy face to face unappalled !"

Lord Hardinge has been appointed Com-mander-in-Chief.

The Australian Pacific Mail Steam Packet Co. have received the grant of a Royal Charter. During the month of July the number of ships which sailed from the several ports in England and Scotland for Australia and New Zealand was 79, and their tonnage -48,689 ; boing an average of GIG tons for each ship. Taking the number of passengers at 150 per ship, it will appear that 11,830 persons have emigrated to these colonies during the last month. Her Majesty and Prince Albert were still in the Highlands. Tho express containing the news of the death of the Duke of Wellington reached them whilst on an expedition to ])hu Loch. Her Majesty and his Royal Highnesswere deeply grieved at the receipl of the mourn- : ful intelligence, and immediately returned , home. Orders were given for countermanding all invitations to the castle. Emigration to Australia is still biisk. Gold has been discovered in Demerara. I

The Duke of Hamilton expired on the 17th of August at his house in Portman-square. He is succeeded in his title and estates by the Marquis of Douglas, who is married to a daughter of the late Grand Duke of Baden, and first cousin to the French President.

France. — At the time that all England is mourning for the Duke of "Wellington, France is revelling in festivities in honour of Napoleon, who is making a tour in the Southern Provinces, and paving the way to the goal of his ambition — The Empiee. The English journals are full of reflections on this juxta-coiuci-dence, and remark that while the star of Wellington is set, that of Napoleon is rising again. — Lytttlton- Times, January 8. Louis Napoleon, it is now rumoured in Paris, will be proclaimed Emperor in December. The Senate, says report, is to be convoked in November, and an appeal to the people is to be made on the question on the 2nd of December. The President's tour to the South is regarded as the last stage in his eventful caieer to the Empire. — Ibid.

The -" Government Gazette' 1 of the 7th Jan. publishes the Proclamation of the New Zealand Constitutional Act, which His Excellency has at last received.