Star.
London, England, 1827-07-19 00:00:00

MALE AND LIMESTONE.
-40,-

A Paper has been presented to the Royal S-ciety,
relative to the influence of chalk and limestone on the
dryness of the atmosphere.
The Paper, whiCh is written by WttlaAM Atm
Macitason, Esq. F.R.S. states that, by experiments
made with the hygrometer, a greater sierte of, dryness _
in the -nir- 'Oats' over a chalk stratum than over
clayey .one; further, that if chalk is spread over afield,
the chalk wiltbeltloncl-moist in a few hours; even ifno
rain or dew has fallen, which dampness in the chalk can
only arise from its absorbing the dampness of the air
by a sort of capillary attraction; also it is observabW
in turf grass over chalk or limestone, that it always
looks green and healthy, even in hot weatt er, v,hered
at the same season and tame turf grass over clay of
gravel seems burnt and brown. This remarkable this
terence in vegetation on chalk and limestone from what
it is on clay or gravel, arises, according to the Papef
given in, to the power of attraction in the chalk and
limestone to absorb the moisture of the air, whiclt
moisture, in passing to the stratum below, keeps the
soots of the grass or other vegetation moist. Mr. Mac-
etymon advances many other arguments in favour of
this hypothesis, and also remarks that houses built on a
foundation of chalk or limestone, or of those materials;
will commonly be found damp by absorbing the mois-
ture of the air, just as sea sand or sea weed does on
certain occasions. The Paper further states, that the
dispositions of individuals, and even of a people, loaf
be affected by the dryness or dampness of the atmo-
sphere, and therefore may vary according to the strata
on the earth more than is commonly imagined.

New COLUNY.—The projected new settlement, to
which we recently alluded, at Western Port, in New
South Wales, we find (from the Asiatic Journal), was
actually formed in November last. In thatmouth his
Majesty's ship FLY carried a number of settlers, con-
victs, and labourers, from Port Jackson to the place
in question. The stores were landed, and a temporary
fort erected on Philip's Island, which covers the us-
total bay, and afterwards a site was chosen on the
mainland, on the eastern branch or channel of the
estuary of Bass's River. The soil was found to be
fertile, and partially covered with timber, and the bay
afforded ample stores ef fish. A want of fresh water
was at first dreaded, but a sufficient supply was sub.
sequently discovered. The most material disadvantage
attaching to the situation was the banks of mud which
line the shores of the bay, and tender the navigation
difficult or dangerous ; and perhaps it may be the
exhalations arising from these banks which had pro-
duced some degree of unhealthiness among the set-
tlers. When the FLY left the colony, however, its
situation was considered promising. This new colony
is about 500 miles south west of Sydney, and about
200 north of Port Dalrymple in Van Dienten's Land,
from which it is separated by Bass's Straits Abort
10 miles to the westward of Western Port lies Pott
Philip, a magnificent natural harbour, 20 or 25 miles
is diameter, encircled on all sides by lands covered
with timber, and which may probably soon be the
seat of an auxiliary settlement. Thus Enplaod is
gradually extending the race of her people, with their
arts and language, round the shores of Australia—the
most bloodless, useful, and honourable of all her al.

umphs.—Seotswana.
A very curious discovery has been made in the Cs.
thedral of Durham. In carrying into effect certain altera-
tions and improvements at the eastern end of the church,
and in that part known as the Chapel of the Nitre
Altars, an old oaken coffin was found, containing the
remains of some distinguished personage, believed to
be no other than the Patron Saint, St. Cathbett, " whose
restless body in the three hundred and ninth yeare
after his first burial, was, with all funeral pompe, en-
shrin'cl" in " the White Church" at Durham, in the year
995, 832 years ago ! The skeleton was found to be
remarkably perfect, and enclosed in the retrains of
robes, richly worked with gold; a large and bright
gold ring, having a crucifix, apparently of silver, ap-
pended, was found lying on the breast, and below it the
remains of a book; a large comb was also found in the
coffin. The wood of which the coffin was composed
was about three inches in thickness, and strongly
clamped with bars of iron.
A short time since a man was sent from Stockpott
to serve a warrant for arrears of bastardy upon a die
ciple of Galen, who resides in a small village not 100
miles from datichester. On arriving at the doctor's
house, the messenger knocked at the door, and on its
being opened by a gentlemmly-looking man, the fol.
lowing dialogue ensued—" Is Doctor at home,"
inquired the messenger ? "N-n-o, was the hesitating
reply. "I am sorry for that," said the man, " for my
wife's so very bad, that if I don't see the doctor, I
don't know what will be the consequence." " Oh!
in that case, my good fellow. I can do as well as the
doctor, and will go with you directly." "If you can
do for my wife as well as the doctor, you will do for
me. I have a warrant against you; and if you do not
settle it, you must go along with me," said the messen-
ger. I; is scarcely necessary to add, that the alto-
tubed doctor paid the demand against him, and thus
got rid of his unwelcome visitor.—Stockport Advertiser.

MARRIED.
At MI Souls' Church, St. Mary-la-hem, J. Evelyn Dm*"
Esq. of in too. Notts, M.P. for Hamlet's, and one of the Cava.
di to his Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral, to lady Char.
lout Bentlnck, third daughter of his Grace the Duke of Pordaad.
Besides the members of the respective families. were rceout
M , Lied
and Lady George Cavendish, Lord and lady W. 'ilk
Mrs. Canning.
• Rev. Frederick Money, of Fordhant. C.ambtidgesiire, to lOW.
I bed), eldest daughter of Mr. Clarke, of Keswick.
At Llangollen North Wales, the Rev. H. Morris Cabled, re
Trinity College, Cambridge, to Mary, third daughter et the kW
Rev. Edward Hinchcliffe, of Barthewley, Cheshire.

DIED.
At Cheltenham, the Rev. John Mayo, aged 35.
of
Saturday se'nuight, in Ms *9th year, Thomas
um
Itsq•
Barton-under-Needwood, in the county of Stafford; and on Sun'
day, the Bth instant, Alice, maiden Mater of the above.named
Webb, in
decaynhet7 of Harare.year.sth Thu
of each was the
rd
pogt

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HI GH- W ATER. at LONDON-BRIDGE TO MORROW.
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Afternaca 46 minute. attrr it

Lou.': Printed and Pubtidied by JOHN NIATIM, the Pr*Priete6
al the STAG Orrice. No. I, Vithttt-plaee, Temple-Ear.