The National Register. — London, England, 1822-10-13 00:00:00

MOUSE OF COMMONS. Very ostensive repairs and alterations of the Month of Com atose are sow in progress. The House is in • state of more couiplete dilapidation tLaa it ass bee• fur many years. It 'is occu pied with scalloldisg sod workmen. The cushion's of the benches, Ministerial and Opposition, as well as those under the g allery, where Peers' and Members' sons, Authaseadors, and other foreigners of distinction, are admitted to sit to bear the debates, have been entirely removed ; also the secondary coverings of the beaches ; all bate bees conveyed to what is twilled the " Long Gallery," which leads to the upper er throne and of the House of Lords. They are there beiagcrerovated.— The beeches and steps leading to them are in many instances Wag altered and repaired, so as to increase their conitoodi owsisess. The scaffolding is mainly raised with the view of promoting some very extensive alterations in the ceiling, and in the mode of ventilating the House. Between the ceiling and the roof is *large gallery or loft, in some parts of full twenty feet in height, and extending is length over " the House" in which the Mem bers assemble to debate, the" Stra•gers Gallery," and thence ' over the passages and gallery-stairs' lobby, being bounded by the walls terminating the " Smoking Rosin . --an ante-roam used by members literally for each purposes, segue being adopted by them. This immense 101 l bass good, strong, but antiquated boor ; and during recent sessions, particularly during the last session, on debate nights, it was no useeminon occurrence for • party of ladies, !roes to tea in number, to be aseembled is this elevated station, thistly around the centre ♦entilator, over the chandelier, to Meer the debates. They were accommodated with chairs, which were statiened around the gratings or venti lators already existing is the ceiling. The Members could be only imperfectly seen ; but those who spoke audibly were very ' distinctly heard in the roof, or " Ladies Gallery." it is ap proanhable by a stair-case that led to the Members Coffee house, previously to its removal by Mr. Bellamy. the present housekeeper, to the upper rooms of the stone buildings opposite Henry the Seventh's Chapel. This roof is a remarkable place, not only on amount of its exteat and structure, and of the ten- Waiting machinery contained In it but from the carious and very ' perfect remains of the original .architecture of the building that are there to be seen. The walls are from eight to ten feet high from the level of the floorpreviously to the commencement of the root'; and these walls display the ancient architecture, its arctic., pilasters, decorations, &c. of the sharp pointed Gothic style. In some instances they are partially destroyed, bat in many other instances remain in a remarkably perfect state.— Perhaps, excepting the cloisters by the Speaker's house, there are not to be seen more distinct remains of the architecture of St. Stephen's chapel, and of ancient buildings near to West minster-ball, than are to be discovered wider the roof, and above the ceiling of the House of Commons. several very dis tinguished architects, accompanied by lowers of antiquities, have recently been to view the specimens of ancient building and decorations here to be found. Ms. Soane is is frequent attendance, as he is soperinteading the new entrance, &o. to the Parliament Houses. There are already introduced into the ceiling of the noose of Commons, several pieces of open frame work, so formed as to ?Noss like ornaments, and to act as ventilators, one i• each corner of it, mod a large ventilator in the centre, from the mid dle,poiot of which the grand chandelier was suspended. It has been:emoted to be altered and improved. In addition to the ♦entilators already formed two new ones, of considerable di mensions, are being coustructed. One of them is directly ever the middle benches of the Strollers' Gallery, the present aper ture it+ the ceiling being seven feet by two Icel. IVN7HILL. Mr. Farquhar, the purchaser of Foetidll, is man of an ex traordinary character and habits. His history will add another to the many instances of the accumulation of wealth from suc cessful industry and attendant savings. Mr. Farquhar is a mines of Aberdeen, and went out early in life to India, where he was employed (or some time in a subordinate situation in the medical department. His mind was ewer occupied in study, and ehymical research was his favourite pursuit; from its prac tical application the foundation of his present immense (octane was laid. There was some defect in the mode of manufacturing gunpowder io the interior, and Mr. Farquhar was selected to give his assistance. By degrees he got the management oldie concern, and finally became the sole contractor to the govern ment. In this way wealth and distinction rapidly poured on him, and be attained the particular favour and confidence of the late Mr. Warren Hastings. In Bengal, be was remarkable fur the closeness of his application, unabating perseverance, and extraordinary mental vigour, and also for the same habits of yenuriousness which lie still adheres to. After years of la bour be came home from India, with a fortune estimated at ball a million of money, the principal part of which was in vested, through Mr. Hoare, in the foods, at the rate of 561. far three per cent. Consols. On landing at Gravesend, Mr. Farquhar got on the outside of the coach to London. and his first visit very naturally was to his lamker. Full of dust and dirt, with clothes not worth a guinea, he presented himself at the counter and asked to see Mr. Hoare. The clerk■ disregarded his application, and he was suffered to wait io the cash-office av a poor petitioner, until Mr. Hoare pasaiug through it, after some explanation recognised his Indian customer—the man whom he expected to see with a nabob's pomp. Mr. Farquhar requested 2.i1. and took his leave. After leaving the banking log house, he went ton relation's a baronet, with whom he for sonic time resided. About Christmas a grand rout was to be given by the relation of Mr. Farquhar, in consequence of his return. One evening, a week previous, Mr: Farmiliar re • ceived a hint from his relation that his clothes were not of the newest farld (((( , and recommended a Bond-street tailor to him. Mr. Farquhar asked if that really was his opinion ; the answer was given in a way with which Mr. Farquhar did not feel pleased ; be went to his bedroom. packed up his trunk, re quested the servant to call a coach, into which he set out, and has never associated with bin titled relation since. He then settled in Upper Baker -street, where his house was to he dis tinguished by its dingy appearance, uucleaned windows, and general neglect. An old woman was his role attendant, and his apartment, to which a broom or a brush was never applied, was kept sacred from her. Books and papers were strewed on the floor ; the spot where the book was concluded, there it was thrown, and all acquainted with his character; and there have been in stances of some of them offering him money as an object of charity, sr as a reduced gentleman. He became a partner in the great agency house in the city, of Basset, Farquhar and Co. and also purchased the late Mr. Whitbread's share in the brewery. Part of his wealth was devoted to the purchase of estates, but the great bulk was Invested Ur stock, and suffered to increase on the principle of compound interest. Every half year be regalarly draw. his dividends, his mercantile profits, and his rents, and purchases in the funds. la this manner his wealth has accumulated. Mr. Farquhar is deeply read is s tilt NATIONAL ntottElt asides* and sondem Montero ; kle mind Is one of eUrnordisary viper and origimdity--his conversation of a superior order, impressive and ataimatodes army subject. His seatiments are liberal, and strangely contrasted with his habits. His awaries may be considered as a &sees* which be cannot controul. His religious opinions are peculiar, and seem to be iwi•enced by an admiration of the purity of the lives and moral principles of the Bialunins. It is build that he offered to appropritte 100,000, to found a college in Aberdeen on the most enlarged plea of education, with • reservation oat points of religion, to which, however, 1110 seriatim of the Legislature could mot be procured, and the plan was dropped. Mr. Farquhar is still single, and is 'most probably destined to spend the remainder of his life unbroken in upon by tender e,aresses," unless some late alterations in his mode of life can be accounted for by the influence of the amiable weakness. He Ms gone to reside in owe of his own bosses in Vlocester-place, Portman square, which he has furnished in • style of modern elegance. He bas also set ap • handsome chariot, and so far as appear ances are concerned, indulges is several luxuries ; but kin do mestic habits are still the same, and his table seldom labours with the p of heavy dishes. He has one nephew, to whom he allows, or did allow, SOO/. a year. He has but few other claims of family, sod it is probable that his immense wealth will be bequathed to 60010 charitable institution, as the great object of his ambition is to leave his saute to poste rity as the founder of some public institution. Perhaps his pride hat slumbered for many years, and it is but new showing its extent. To that passion may be attributed the purchase of Foothill, for bit age and infirmities totality unit him for the enjoyment of such a place. Those who are not well acquainted with Mr. Farquhar consider him as a sordid miser, who bas scraped money together by mere tabour and saving ; brit the few with whom he associates recognise • powerful and enter prising mind, • cultivated and discerning taste, and an inlet lootual refisement totally opposite to that penury which be seems to have first imposed on himself as a duty, but which habit has made second o . He is about 6.5 years of age; , diminutive in person, and by no means prepossessing in ap pearance ; lass dress has all the qualities of the antique to re commend it ; and his domestic expenditure, until the last year, has not exceeded 2001. a year, although his possess:oms, mosey in the funds, and capital its trade, is said to amount to a mil lion and a half. LORD AND LADY PORTSMOUTH. Wrovccuitcs.—The attention of the fashionable world has lately been a good deal oconpiod by the singular manner is which Lord Portsmouth was removed from Edinburgh, and the proceedings consequent thereon. Lady Pertantonth, being near her confinement, did not follow het Lord immediately, bat remained in the North till she gave birth to an heiress.— Some dill' • having arisen between the aside pair, Lord Portsmouth, it appears, interdicted her ladyship's return to Whitchurch ; but she, insisting on her rights as consort to the noble Lord, had refused to yield obedience to the mandate. On Saturday Dr. Bankbeed and another gentleman arrived at she splendid seat of the Peer, and announced that Lady Portsmouth, baring recovered (rani her aceouchensent, was then on the road to Whitobureli, to which place she repaired for the purpose of insisting on being received as the consort of his Lordship. The precise answer given to this intimation has not transpired, but it certainly was not • " welcome home." Between four and live o'clock an open carriage and foot, with two postillions, followed by two servants, wearing the Portsmouth liveries, was seen approaching VlThileharch. In the carriage her ladyship was seated. and with her a nurse with the infant. On the way the postillions greeted the coaches as they passed with loud liaise*. They travelled with eatraierdi nary speed; so much so, that the servants could not without much difticulty keep up with the carriage. Arriving at the White Hart at Whitcherch her Ladyship alighted, sad rested fur some time. The people at Whitchorch were all on the alert to witness the experiment, and a variety of whimsical reports were in cir culation. A number of the townsfolk* were assembled is front of the gates to the park, and within a party of men, dressed in smock frocks, and others apparently labourers, were drawn up as it should seem, fur the purpose of opposing, by main force, if necessary, that entrance on which her Ladyship was expected to insist. Just beyond the lodge one or two timber carriages were placed, without horses, to etistruct the way. These were so disposed that it was impossible far a carriage to pass either to the right or to the left of them, on account of the obstructing trees. Matters thus remained at five in the afternoon, at which boar the advance of per Ladyship irom the ins was momentarily expected. YOUNG NAPOLEON. Extract of a private letter from Vienna, dated Sept. Z 7 : " I had lag night an opportunity of seeing, for the first time, the son of that man whose turbulent ambition lost him the greatest empire in the world, and whose career will he forgot ten only when the extraordinary events, associated with it, cease to ►ecome matter of astonis►ment to succeeding gene rations. Youog Napoleon was at the theatre, and sat in the same box with his Royal Graiidsire and the Empress, but in • separate compartment, where he was attended by a toiddlle aged individual, who appeared to be his preceptor. It is not tuts much to say, that perhaps no youth ever boasted s finer or more interesting countenance. Must of the likenesses of him which I hate seen in London are vile caricatures, compared with the original. They represent him as a florid, chubby boy, with • profusion of flaxen hair flowing over his shoulders ; but he has nothing whatever of that appearance. His complexion is floe, but not florid ; and his hair cut quite abort, is fair, but not flaxen. It is impossible to beho d his face for an instant, and not be struck with the convincing likeness it bears to the more accurate delineations given of his father's countenance. He was dressed last night like the son of an English country gentleman, wearing • short blue coat with gilt buttons, striped waistcoat, and a white neckerchief round his neck. The Im perial party sat in the stage box, which was plainly ornament ed with crimson velvet drapety, and young Napoleon was &tattooed immediately io front of the saute line, but a little de tached irons the Emperor and Empress. He appeared to enjoy the performance exceedingly, and laughed at some particular scenes loud enough to he heard by the audience. At the close of each act, whim the drop-curtain fell, he uniformly rose from his seat and stood behiod the Emperor, who. looking u, r his shooldet, conversed with him at occasional Weisel*, appa rently with an au of paternal erection." Mr. Matthews arrived safely at New York on the sth ult. Owing to the state of the city, from the prevalence of the yellow fever, it was supposed that he would wake his fiat public appearatice at Boston. . • . On Wedneilly lasi, as a radon* was paneitig sear Knightsbridge Mope! with • spirited horse in his gig. a youth was crossing the road, the genitors& called oat, aid checked the Loran's reins, which instead of impeding the pro gress of the horse be rushed ou with greater rapidity. The lad was knocked down and the wheel went over bin body, and, strange to tell, without any materiel injury. The animal was secured by lbe bystaaders, but his fury could not be abated emit he had literally kicked die gig to pieces.—On the very same spot, about Moe o'clock in the evening, a geutientan's servant was slighting from the box of a chariot, and stepped on a slanting striae, which occasioned Lim to slip a few inches, by which his leg was fractured • little above the ankle. He was taken to St. Veurge's Hospital, where every &Heathen was paid him, mad Le is in a fair way of recovery. A young girl, named Moffatt, residing with her friends in Paluteen.village, Westminster, WAY 10 blll , lll been married to a young trademnsie oo Mietraehods days The young mien bad taken apartments, parchasciii Milne, and carried every other necessary amusement into elect, so that nothing remained but the ceremony itself. On Ike very day the iuteuded brides was seised with violent illness, which was soon ascertained to be a relapse of a pleerisy she caught at Horsham atrum three yearsfjago ; physicians were procured, and seeder their care sue lingered moil Tuesday mongog last, when ski died, to the great grief of her parents and loudly M. tached lover. MILAPICHIPLYACCIDICNT,A distressing accident occurred oil Erith, oa Sumlay anemias last. ♦ Grimaced passage-boat, on her voyage to London, dur lig a heavy gale of wind, was run foul of by a entail sailing boat, with three mem on board, and the top-mast of the latter coming is conetht with the boom of the former, she immediately upshot and saak. —Every assistance was promptly given by the crew aid pmw 'roger. of the Gravesend boat, and, by great exertions pn their pint, they saved one nom, a second was picked op by another boat, but the third unfortunately soak to rise no more. The passion of De Luc, the natural philosopher, for music, was so predominant in his latter days, that a piemo was placed by his bed side, oa which his daughter played great part of the day. The evening of his death, seeing her father ready to sink into a slumber, she asked him--" Shall I play any more?"—•• Keep playing," said he, " keep plajirig." He slept, but woke no mere ! PRESTON THEATUE.—Mr. DeCarnp, who rented the theatre at Preston daring the late gelid, has bma. like malty other persons, grievously disappointed in his hspes of profit at that festival. The Omelet cloiod on the ESA edt. sad in the course of that day the sheriff's Miters seised die seeniry and other effects for rent due to the Proprietors. After the play, hie. De Camp made his appearance on the stage, and ad , d d the audience on the subject with • good deal of warmth. He stated that be had been induced, by the representations of the proprietors as to the Mincer in which the theatre was likely to be attended, to accede to their terms, via. to pay SOM. for the theatre during the guild ; but instead of making say prOfit, he bad lost 4001. besides lb* rest. Yet ender those circum stances the proprietors bad refused to allow him any time for payment, sad had seized his property without giving bins tiny previous notice. A tew days since, two officers, ranking high in the army. having frequently seen a couple of pretty milliners In a shop at Harrowgate. the daughters of respectable trad es men. persuaded them to take a trip to Doncaster races: the parties assembled there, and from theme they proceeded with all expe dition to London. The alarm being given. the father atonement her brother instantly posted alter them, and on rewiring the me tropolis, made application to the police. and a genteel sesta commenced. Fortunately, as the tither and a pollee officer woe sitting at the window of a hotel at the west end of the sewn they SOW tile two runaway females, elegantly attired. pass the house. They . were immediately secured; and after many tears and ein treatwa to remain, were safely brought home. One of the Accra is an old ceassororo, and much afflicted with the gout t the two scoundrels had provided elegantly furnished apartments fee She children, neither of whom had seen :7 years. MARIN( CURIOSITY. —A very aingalar GA is at this time in pickle, on board the Mary Fromm, Griseabutd ship, now in the Old Dock, at Hull. Toe captain says it was caught in the north of Shetland by some of his men ~ a nt out in a boat. who saw it floundering on the surface of the water. an.. ~r.,;;.1 it on board by one of its tail fins. Its for :.:aion is excet..aigly clumsy, and its movements must have been vary slow. Its shape is nearly oval, being from head to tad rat . ..er more than three feet. and in breadth two. The skin is of a deep gray, and all over as rough ass file moderately worn; se rough, mat when the sailor laid hold of the tail faro to pun it out of the water. his hold was as firm as if he had been grasping a piece of strong sand paper. When it was brat taken, its eyes were quite prominent. and exactly resembling human eyes. It is imitated with a ou r of ears, with two small fins beneath them, and two large tad dna, between which is a short fleshy tail. Rowel Hartley, the cosivitt who about a month since stabbed Captain Owen on board toe litlierophort hulk at Sheerness, was on Friday removed to Nlaidstone This hardened wretch speaks of the horrid devil with a sort of exultattnii, and regrets that he was not the des h ol the object of his vengeance. He says that prei ions io his removal to the hulks, lie premeditated the destruction of Mr. Agar, the gov:r ttttt tit the prison, but he had not a.' opportunity to, a reek Ins malice on him. He now denies having any knowledge of the ttttt rder of Mrs. D. natty, and says what he has heiMe mentioned about this transaction—he did so io amuse those who addressed hen on the subject. He was strongly guarded from Slue/- nen to prison, and secured with heavy body oohs, his arm; being alto bound together, which method was adopted in consequence ol the impossibility to confine his 'lands with handcuffs he hating got off every pair put on bun. He is now lodged in a ward separate truss the rest us the prisoners, is heavily ironed anti has& HMI to guard I boil' day and night. ROBBERIES AT THE THEATRES.— Al the close Of the per °lnvoices on Ttiesnav night at the Adelphi Theatre. Mr. ltichardstni, o 1 1 1 7 esiatimster.road, haul his pn. ket picked tat a valuable silver watch and appendages. *title standing a few paces from the box entrance ; the rubbery was effected wish so much dcz•crily, that Mr. Richardson did not at the instant miss the property. and though a search was almoss.im• mediately made, the offender MOW not be ilisemmetl. A few evenings sitter a gentleman foam &RHOS was rob. Iced of two sower. igns 041 quitting the Coburg '1 hyalite, and although the mousy was lietsi.ited in his small tier hes pocket, yet he did not ascertain his let* till he was informed by a prison that his pocket was hanging nut. TI e public should be on their guard against this system or depredation which IS g!ltetilly committed by men and boys who ate well and even elegantly attired. Wrw'