The National Register.
London, England, 1820-12-31 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER

Westaainsicr Hall.—The work upon the Old Palace-yard
front of Westminster Hall, increases daily,and the public
stay soon expect to see it make the original appearance.
The men work from the old plans, which have been
found deposited in one of the Government offices. The
South Tower is far advanced. The gothic angular orna-
ments produce a fine architectural effect. The armorial
bearings of Edward the Confessor, the Founder of West-
minster, with the arms of Richard the Second, will
re-appear in a perfect state, wliere the mutilated heraldry
of those Kings was so lately visible. Nothing can pre-
sent a stronger memorial of the devouring appetite of
time than this ancient building. The stone figures, the
remains of which are now seen on the left of the pirtal,
seen; to say, the ne,enuity and art of man have but short
duration. We have, however, seen a black Egyptian
stone, which, according to tradition, has remained un-
injured more than •:000 years. We allude to a figure of
Isis now in the British Museum. The figures placed in
the niches of Westminster Hall are common free-stone.
Many of our readers may remember the front of this
Hall when the aspect was less pacific. After the Resto-
ration the beads of Cromwell, Bradshaw, and another,
were placed on pikes upon tie top, and they remained
there about forty years ago. The head of Cromwell was
then removed in the following way :—The mother of a
dramatic performer, now justly celebrated fur talent,
lived se:vant with one of the people called round heads,
whose occupation was that of a market gardener. It
was his custom to pass front the ferry, in Old Palace
Yard to Lambeth where he had gardens. Returning
one ought to Westminster, he found one of the heads
which suoil on the top of the hall, lying on the ground.
A violent gale of wind had broken the pike staff which
upheld it, and the 'eke remained affixed to the head.—
The gardener well knew the situation in which Cron-
well's head stool upon the hall,; rid looking up he found
it was gone. lie had then no doubt that the head of
the protector was in Iris iaissession, and having in com-
mon with all the round heads much regard and vene-
ration fur Cromwell, he c irriA it home to his house,
and kept it with pious care mail the day of his death.—
The another of the performer beliire alluded to, who had
been much respected by her master, received at his
death all the household property, and among other
things the head of Cromwell. She very soon after mar-
ried, and the head got into the possession of her has-
band, who was a player. In his way to country theatres,
he occasioniy exhibited the head, and obtained money.
On one occasion being reduced to great poverty with his
family, in his lodgings, near Clare-market, a friend
offered to procure him a purchaser for the head. A Mr.
Coxe being applied to, advanced twenty guineas upon
it, having first received the opinion of the late Mr. West,
the painter, and other respectable authorities, that it was
the head of Oliver. Independent of the circumstances
attending the finding it, a black lock of hair, which
distinguished Cromwell, was then to be traced. The
owner becoming more prosperous some time after, re-
deemed the head, and it was finally taken to America
by a purchaser of curiosities. 'What became of the
other heads the writer has not been able to learn.

GALVANIC Macramsfa.--Sir Humphrey Davy,
laiely read a most interesting paper, at the Royal Sucietv,
' On the Magnetising Influence of GJI vaitism, in which
various new and curious experiments on this subject
were detailed, which clearly establish the fact, that the
Galvanic fluid, directed in a proper manner. is capable of
communicating magnetic properties .o bars of steel. If
steel bars or rods be exposed to Galvanic current, placed
in the direction of the magnetic axis. DO effect follows;
but if they be placed parallel with the magnetic equator,
they become magnetic—the end placed to the west be-
coming the north pole of the Crew magnet, and !hat to-
wards the east becoming the south pole. And so great
is the galvanic influence in producing. this effect, that it
exerts its power at a distance of some inches (even ten ur
twelve), so that if the steel bar be moved in a circle
round the course of the galvanic current, hut always kept
parallel to the magnetic equator, it beetaton magnetic.—
Ihese experiments were made in the laboratory of the
Royal Institution, and also at the Laudon lostnntion.—
They will he understood from the followiug desvoiption:
When an electrical or a voltaric battery ot considerable
quantify is charged, the compensating or discharging
wire becotties magnetic upon the completion of the dis-
charge. Common needles, or small bars of steel, placed
transversely on the wire, or under it, or on its sides,
become permanent magnets on the discharge. Ifelectric
fluid he very plentiful, contact with the wire is nut
requisite.
A few days since, us a vessel was steering for the
Downs, nearly opposite St. Margaret's Bay, while
two gentlemen on board were amusing themselves
with their guns at a piece of board floating on the
water, they saw a bird coming towards them (which
afterward.; proved to be a carrier pigeon), apparently
from the French coast: when it came near enough to
observe so many sailors standing on the beach, it
made a sudden tack, as if intendud to take another
course ; when it came near the ship, ono of the gen-
tlemen shot at and killed it ! the boat was sent and
the poor bird brought on board, when on examining
it, to the utter astonishment of all present, was
discovered between the feathers, chiefly on the neck,
six French gold rings, of the most grand and inge-
nious workmanship.
Thursday evening, about five o'clock, a fire broke
out in the extensive sugar-house of Mr. Rhodes, in
Hooper-square, Whitechepel. It originated in the
second floor, in some tow which blazed ter sotne
time, but tertunately several engines soon arrived,
which being plentifully supplied- with water, soon
put out the fire, and prevented it front doing any
material damage,
The Duchess of Clarence and the lufsnt Princets
are going WI extremely well.

The workmen of Mr. Stevens, Surveyor of Bury
St. Edmund's whilst raising gravel in the hill, near
the Priory, have discovered at a small depth from
the surface of the earth, the skeletons of twenty-
four human bodies, of rather gigantic size, but in
every respect perfect. Numerous persons have been
to view them, and it is supposed they are a part of
the bodies slain in the bloody battle fought on that
spot during the reign of Henry 11. and wheu the
differences existed between that Monarch and his
son, when to aid the latter the Earl of Leicester
was marching through Fornham, from Frarnlingliam
with an immense army of Flemings (particularly
artificers and weavers), but were attacked by the
King's troops, who dispersei them in an instant,
and put ten thousand of them to the sword, and
took their Commander prisoner. This engagement
took place in the year 1174, upwards of 600 years
since, and the teeth in these skeletons were found
extremely white and perfect.
On Tuesday lust, a meeting for the purpose of
addressing the Queen was held at Warwick, in
consequence of a requisition signed by above a hun-
dred of the most respectable inhabitants of the town.
Dr. Parr, the Rev. oat. Field, the Rev. Wade,
Aldermen Edwards and Collins, Messrs. Greathead,
Jones, Collins, Russel, and Goodman, moved and
seconded the various resolutions, which were pro-
pounded in speeches of great ability and spirit. Is
had been intended at first to disturb this meeting by
a party of mock-loyalists, with a reverend gentleman
at their head; but an inspection of the enemy'
force convinced them of the futility of any attempt,
and they contented themselves, like the snug loy-
alists of London, by retiring to a corner, where they
huddled up an address to his Majesty in favour of
those enlightened ministers who have shown such
admirable skill in conciliating parties, and in
maintaining tranquillity and content throughout the
empire.
An exciseman was taken into custody on Satur-
day, for stealing three pounds and a half-weight of
candles from a tallow-chandler's in Mary-le-bone,
where he attended in performance of his duty.
Private letters from Dublin, received in town,
state, that a very desperate action took place in the
beginning of last week on the western coast of Ire-
land, between his Majesty's smuggling preventive
brig, stationed off Sligp and a smuggling vase].
The latter opposed a uesperate resistance, and was
assisted by the people on the coast, but the brig
succeeded in effecting her capture, and made good
the seizure. In this reneontre, we regret to say,
the brig had beveral of her crew wounded. There
were several killed and wounded on the part of her
opponents. This system, which has been adopted
within these few years for the prevention of smug-
gling, has proved very efficient. The vessels are
under the orders of the treasury; they carry up-
wards of 10 guns, are well manned and appointed,
and commanded by a lieutent of the royal navy.—
The excise cutters employed in this service, went
seldom able to encounter the smugglers with suc-
cess, the latter being generally of larger size and
superior strength in men and guns. These smug-
gling preventive vessels arc stationed at given dis-
tances round the coast of Ireland and Scotland.

FEMALE COURAGE.—Two young ladies were left
by their father and mother in carp of a country
house, a few miles from Abingdon, together with
two maid servants, and a foot-boy. They were
roused in the night by boys telling them the house
was on lire : they instantly rose, culled the maids,
and got buckets. The fire being inaccessible to the
water, one of the sisters fell to work with u pick.
axe to batter down the wall of the drawing-room to
put it out ; the other threw a pelisse over her night
clothes, went into the stable, saddled a cart-horse,
took the foot-boy behind her, and provided with a
huge dinner-bell, rode off ringing and screaming for
assistance at the public-house, parsonage, Ste. till she
roused all the neighbours, who came with buckets,
Ike: and extinguished the fire, which had been pre-
vented from extending through the exertions
of her sister. The drawing-room furniture only
was destroyed, and the premises were insured.—
The Insurance Office were so pleased with the
astonishing conduct of thew young ladies, that
they replaced every thing in the handsomest manlier,
evi,a to the pelisse. They are delicate accomplished
girls of eighteen and twen.y.
Requisitions are signing for a Common Council,
for a meeting,- of the Livery of London, and also of
the Contity of Middlesex, to consider the propriety
of petitioning Parliament for the restoration of her
Nlajesiy's immune to the Liturgy, and for the resti-
tution ()fall her other rights and dignities. We have
no doubt that this example will be speedily followed
by every county, city, town, and parish in the United
Kingdom ; tOr we believe that all wiles concur in
thinking that her Majesty's name ought never to
have been omitted in the. Liturgy.
'fin: Rev. John Humphreys, eior of Great Dan-
ham, at his late audit, very liberally deducted per
ceut, on his Tithes, in consequence of the tleidwaaLd
4:•Ile of Agriculture.

410

PERSECUTIONS OF TILE QUEEN.

The following touching recital of the continued
series of persecutions, to which her Majesty has
Loco subjected—formed part of a speech delivered
by the. Rev. N.lr. Shephetil, at the recent anniversary
of the ConcentriJ Society at Liverpool.
Gentlemen, if there ever was a persecuted female, that
female is the 0110'11 of England. tier wrongs are of an
early date. 'rimy commenced almost from the very mo-
ment of lier fitet lauding on these shores. It is one of the
eviis necessarily attached to the condition of royalty,
that in that exalted rank the matrimonial union is rarely
effected upon thie,e principles of limited etlectioti by
which it is rendered a blessing to the subordinate ranks of
the community, With respect to his premed Majesty, it
is a matter of public unto tety, that lie entered into the
elate of matrimony with Caroline of Brunswick, not be.
cause he was mitten with her personal attractions, or
because he held in esteem her character aid accomplish.
meets, not became this mai riage was stipulated by Nlr.
Pitt, as a condition for the payment of hi: daily aceunitt-
tatiug debts. Whoa his intended bride landed in Ei.g-
land, who was appointed as one of her ladies of notielir
to wait upon her person? Why truly the Coontess of
Jereev! To her was committed the task of initiating her
Royal Highness in Euglish manners, and of instructing
her how to rentlei herbed' pleasing and acceptable to her
bushman What happiness could be ex fleeted form a
mart iage under stich auspices i It \Vie, .0411
whispered that her !loyal Highness ails suduiug Wider
inneti domestic vexation and uaeasiness. Atel the sit
ti atli was in a little time brought ftelv the view of the
public. I ler Royal Highness imuurilimeil her mind in
detailing her giteeatices in a letter to her mother.—
This letter she thirst not send to Bitinseirk by the corn
mon post, nor by the metlinin of her father's Envoy. She
committed it to the care of a Rev. Divine, who basely and
foolishly betrayed her contideuce, by delivering it to the
late Queen. Alter this trausuetiou it may readily be
believed that she conk) have no peace or tranquiliity at
home ; and, very soon after she had given birth to the
late lamented Princess Charlotte, his Majesty dismissed
her from his palace. And what were the „eroutids of that
illstuisaiitl ? Fortunately for her Majesty, the grounds of
that dismissal are recorded In a letter from tier illustrious
sponse. In that letter, deem lie charge her with tuichastity,
with levity of conduct, with any vice, or with any thlly?
" Ail horatm." Her iittistrious spouse was pleased to dis-
miss her whom he had Laity sworn to cherish, upon the
plea that "our inclinations arc not in cur power"—a plea
of width it has been justly observed in an address to her
Majesty trom the town olChorley, that " it it be available
to a Prince of Wales, it is equally available to every cri-
minal who sutlers the judgment of the law." Being Bien
banished from the palace tot' her husband, our Queen—
then Princess of Wales—withdrew into ritiobtitisive retire-
ment. Dedicating beraelt to materied tinned—anti hues
well she discharged those duties is evinced by the fond
and constant attachment of her dauglitca—she was hardly
ever heard of, except on occasion ut tier attendance at
Court. But, after the lapse of many years, the most beau-
dalons reports were whispered to the disadvantage of tier
character ; and during the Whig administsation an inquiry
was instituted into her eonduct—an inquiry by a flagrant
misnomer called the " Delicate Investigation." Whatever
rimy have been the delicacy of that inquiry, it era:t yet lainly
nut deficient in strictness and severity. No deference
was paid (1 do attirm that it ought to have heels paid) to
bar rank and station. Her servants were submitted to
interrogateries, without a moment's warning having been
given to her. Every point of her conduct was umaitely
scrutinized. Witnesses were heard against her, without
her bring apprized of the tesiour it their testimony at the
time of their examination, so as to be enabled to rebut it.
And what was the result of this celebrated iugnisiticu ?
Why, her judges, without puttieg her on her its hence,
acquitted tier of the moral turpitude which hail been iiii•
pined to her, atid reconditended the prosecution for per-
jury of the principal et her calumniators. To their
award, indeed, was annexed a recomiuendation to his late
Majesty to advise her to be mere circumspect in her con-
duct. But this recommendation was made without tier
Royal Highness having been heard in explanation or de-
fence, and on evidence which site ultimately proved to be
an unworthy of credit, that, on her renionstretieg a;einst
this procedure, tour late monarch, win, iu his private
character, was well deserving of those endearieg Qt.
theta, " Good old King!" et length proclaimed les
conviction of her nioncence by publicly receiving her
at his court. During this fiery ordeal, our Queen
derived the most essential beheld firm the countenance
and aid of Mr. I'erceval, of Lord Eldon, Lord Liverpool,
and Canning. These crafty POittleellla Y.011111:11
themselves into her seceets : they became acquainted
with all the particulars of her history : they nese iiitornied
of all the grounds tot complaiut which she hail, or fancied
that she had, against her husband. And these they con-
trived to turn to vast profit to theniselvea. They put
Ilient carefully up into a green bag: and when, at this'
couimencement of the Regency, they were apprehensive
of bung itistied out ol'uflice, Mr. Perceval wailed oil they
Regent with this green bag under his at in, and said—" Sire,
it you displace us, this green bag shall be opened, and the
angle uationshall know !KM you have heated your wife."
I hesitate ant to say that conduct hike this is only to lie
I,as d by that of the villains a il.l Illtela 3011 at dusk iil
James's Palk, dud tells you that, it you aid not give
him 'Ai., lie will Acense you of an ahumniabie erime. It
is it' ange that such a 11111110ellYie 511011 id have succeeded;
bat we knew, to our cost, that suer. ed it Md. Mr. Pel.
tell al and his friends were, tii tiny Sealed in office. They
then soon forgot collliati Hwy halt with the
Princess of Wales, and cruelly connived al, ur basely
joined in, a belies id indignities tuwaids her, which, whilst
Davy were not stillest:me) atrocious to alarm the public
unuil, were well calculated to Vitae down hes spirits with
mei titit ation and disgust. When lit-r nand vsas iu thus
bum• oh depiessiun Fhie was approached by Mr. Canning.
of whom it may be said, as Lora Diguy said of the Earl of
Siattursi, that the. " man:Alit", 01 ilia practices are hugely
aggravated by these lei 01 ins, whereof God
Lain even hint the use, but the 1)s-vil the application."
Like baton as illBlll t,og ear iit Eve, Ire gave her must
I m Melees come el. his advistd tier to ti v. me rt•,l,truto
aoread. la an t hum, and lii spite et ttie pi ilea.
v... 1 eio,soll 311•1)10116114111, sae acted upon Ali. CaiieniA.,
a./.. pintail the stoics of Bo Bain. In the letter of
had ii telc•cniii trim, her husband, rt
was • mted teat Het eas per " theuld toe held maw crania