A fine specimen of the Ichthyosaurus, or Fish Lizard, has been lately discovered in a clay pit belonging to Sir Harry Verney, Bart., at Claydon. It was embedded about ten feet below the surface, in a stratum of brick earth, and, from the snout to the tail, measured about thirteen feet. The head, vertebræ, and paddles, were all in their relative positions, but the bones had been imperfectly fossilised, and were very fragile on raising the skeleton from its bed, which was done in the presence of Sir Harry Verney, &c. and under the direction of Dr. Buckland. The extensive new buildings contiguous to Eton college, the first stone of which was laid by Prince Albert in June last, are now far advanced. They contain forty-eight single rooms, which will be appropriated to the upper and elder boys on the foundation; and also a large apartment for the use of the sixth form, and another for the use of the first six boys of the fifth form, when not engaged in their private studies. At the north end is a spacious room intended to be the library for the upper boys of the school, and also to be used for the examinations for prizes and scholarships. The new buildings will be ready for occupation immediately after the next election holidays. In addition to these improvements, it is in contemplation to divide the long chamber into various apartments, the centre of which will be appropriated for the dormitory of the twenty youngest boys on the foundation; adjoining to which will be rooms for their attendant master, a lavatory, &c. The assistant master, who will have the charge of these younger boys, will reside in apartments to be erected at the eastern end of the long chamber. It has been estimated that the alterations contemplated in the long chamber alone will involve an outlay of 2,6007. A complete drainage of the precincts of the college has just been completed, under the superintendence of Mr. John Roe, at an expense of 4,0007.; the sewerage extending in length nearly a mile and a half, and carrying the drains into the Thames. Dr. Lee has recently presented to the Astronomical Society the advowson of Stone, having previously given the advowson of Hartwell, upon trust to present thereto, as vacancies occur, clergymen who have distinguished themselves by their scientific researches. CHESHIRE. Feb. 20. The consecration of Henbury Church took place. The want of a church in this township had long been felt, situated as it was at a distance of several miles from the nearest church, though equidistant from six or seven. On Major Marsland coming to reside at Henbury Hall, he offered to the choice of the gentlemen associated with him as a committee any plot of land they might deem the most eligible for the site. The edifice is in the Lancet-Gothic style of architecture, with a spire rising nearly seventy feet. The interior is fitted up without pews, having seats to accommodate 270, of which 210 are free for ever. The cost of the erection has been about £1,600, of which amount one-half has been contributed by Major Marsland, to which he has added £1,000 as an endowment, and furnished the tower with a clock. A full-toned end, is the gift of Mrs. Marsland. The organ, placed in the gallery at the west Communion plate was presented by Mrs. Thomas Wardle. The architect was Mr. Lane of Manchester. DEVONSHIRE. Dartmoor.-At the last county sessions an application for a new licence was applied for by the Plymouth and Dartmoor Gunpowder Company, who obtained a licence at the preceding sessions for the erection of mills and a magazine in Cherrybrook estate in Lidford. The new licence which was granted was desired in order to authorise the erection of the mills on a site contiguous to that originally chosen, but more advantageous as regards the amount of water power to be obtained, and equally unexceptionable in point of public safety. The leat of water for the use of the works will be taken from the river Dart, and after passing a circuitous route of near three miles fall again into its usual course. DURHAM. Jan. 27.-The barbour of Seaham is a private port, belonging to the Marquess of Londonderry, and was formed by the noble owner about sixteen years ago for the shipment of the coals produced from the collieries of his lordship. Since that time the traffic was increased so much that a few years ago it was found necessary to form a second large dock to the south of the original one. This has also been found insufficient, and last year measures were taken for the further enlargement of the north dock, which has recently been completed. The works exceed, perhaps, in magnitude and enter prise all that have ever before been undertaken and accomplished by a private individual. The whole has been excavated from the solid rock, and the docks now afford accommodation for the shipment of 300,000 or 350,000 chaldrons of coals in a year. The enlargement of the north dock was completed on the 23rd Jan. when the water was admitted into it in the presence of the Marquess and Mar. chioness of Londonderry and a distinguished party. ESSEX. Feb. 8. The perpetual advowson and next presentation to the rectory of Mistley and vicarage of Bradfield, in the county of Essex, the property of Lord Rivers (whose mansion and estate of Mistley-hall are about to go through the same ordeal), were sold by Mr. Hoggart, at the Auction Mart. The rectorial and vicarial tithes had been commuted for 834/. from which was to be deducted an annual payment to the curacy of Manningtree, 401.; the curacies of two parishes, 1201.; and poor and other rates, 867. 148. making a clear annual income of 5181. 14s. exclusive of a demesne of 33 acres and a parsonage house. sold for 41007. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. It was Jan. 31. The Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol consecrated a church at Montpelier, for which a district has been taken partly from the parish of St. Paul, Bristol, and partly from the parish of Horfield. The edifice is cruciform, in the style that prevailed at the end of the 13th century; it is rather plain, built of native stone, with freestone quoins, dressings, &c. A tower is placed at the centre of the west front; it was originally intended to have carried a lofty spire, which, with the tower, would have been 140 feet in height; but this important feature has, for lack of funds, been postponed. The entrances to the church are at the west end under the tower, and at the end of the south transept. The east window, of four lights, is adorned with good geometrical tracery. The windows of the nave are of two lights, and those of the transepts three lights. The vestry is on the north side of the church. The eastern and transept gables are terminated by crosses of different and elegant designs. In the interior are open seats. There is a gallery at the west end, projecting over about one-fourth of the nave. The pulpit is of stone, panneled on either side, and supported by a corbel of deeplysunk mouldings. The lectern is of oak, of appropriate character and elegant design. The chancel is capacious, and ascended by five steps. The altar-piece is composed of arcaded panneling, with detached shafts, cornice over, set with the ball flower, and the spandrels filled with elegant foliage, the ornamental lettering of the Creed, Commandments, &c., on the wall on either side of the window. An elegant open roof gives the chancel a very pleasing appearance, and the characteristic Gothic feature being carried out by rendering the construction ornamental. In the nave the roof is not so light as in the chancel, in consequence of the Incorporated Society having prescribed the use of the tie beam. The whole of the wood work is stained and varnished, and has the appearance of oak. The font, placed near the western and principal entrance, is of stone, the sides ornamented with elegant foliage, &c.; round the pedestal are four detached shafts, the whole standing on an octagonal base. The iron-work in doors, &c., is of elegant design. This church is much more correct than most other modern ones in this neighbourhood, and reflects great credit on the architect, John Hicks, esq. HAMPSHIRE. Feb. 18. The Bishop of Winchester consecrated a new church in the parish of Brown Candover. The decaying state of the ancient fabric, and the inadequacy of its accommodation for the increased population of the place, having been represented to Lord Ashburton, the chief landowner of the neighbourhood, his lordship liberally offered to erect a new one, at his sole expense, and entrusted to Mr. T. Wyatt the task of executing the work. The church, which stands on a rising ground, is a picturesque object of the early-English style of architecture. The interior is neat and commodious, with a stone pulpit. The sittings, for about 300, are all free and unappropriated. Feb. 24. The Medina Steam Frigate Dock, at Cowes, undertaken by the Messrs. Thomas and John White, was opened for the purpose for which it has been constructed. It is most substantially built, and in shape resembles the interior of a large ship, having a circular bow; the sides and bottom are planked, and form an inverted arch. The foundation is a nearly solid mass of bearers laid across the Dock and filled up with concrete, the whole resting on a bed of blue clay. The Dock heads consist of massive piers and wing walls, built of large blocks of Portland stone; from each of the wings a wooden pier, or platform on piles, extends nearly 100 feet into the river, forming a clear passage for the steamer to pass between, the channel having been excavated to the level of the bed of the river. The dimensions of the Dock are as follows : March 5. The church and parsonage of Bockleton, (part of the treasurership of the cathedral church of Hereford), with a yearly rent charge, in lieu of the tithes commuted at the sum of 4621., but fluctuating with the average prices of corn, and all oblations, offerings, &c. with two cottages and glebe, of the estimated value of 35. per annum, were sold by auction. The property, which was held upon two lives, was in Chancery, and the sale was effected pursuant to an order of one of the Masters of that court, the reserved price being 4700. The property was bought by a gentleman of the name of Gibson for 55001. The cause in Chancery is at the suit of Richard Fellowes Walond (plaintiff) v. Susannah Walond and others (defendants). ISLE OF WIGHT. At a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Newport, held at the Guildhall, the Mayor in the chair, Resolutions were passed unanimously:-That on the occasion of the decease of the Reverend John Breeks, late Vicar of Carisbrooke with Newport and Northwood, the meeting feel it expedient to represent to the Provost and Fellows of Queen's College, Oxford, as patrons of the benefice, the strong necessity for important alterations in the parochial arrangements. The benefice is composed of the vicarage of Carisbrooke and of the two unendowed chapelries of Newport and Northwood, the aggregate income derived by the incumbent being about 1,2007. a year. The incumbent has for many years past resided in the small agricultural hamlet of Northwood, confining his immediate supervision to that thinly-peopled chapelry, while the pastoral duties of Carisbrooke and of Newport have been and are committed to curates appointed and removable by him. Newport is a corporate town, the most important and populons place not only in the benefice of which it forms a part, but in the Isle of Wight at large-the centre of its industry, the seat of its magistracy, and the station wherein the Bishop and other GENT. MAG, VOL. XXIII. ordinaries of the diocese hold their parochial visitations. The Curate to whose charge the clerical duties of the chapelry have been confided, has (until within the last seven years, when the Vicar agreed to give such a sum annually as would make up with the surplice fees a stipend of 1007., and which sum has been appropriated to an assistant Curate) depended for his income on a voluntary contribution from the inhabitants, which, from its eleemosynary character and inadequacy of amount, is wholly unsuitable for the proper support of his personal station or his pastoral efficiency. KENT. A great change has been effected in the circumstances of Folkstone by the South Eastern Railway, which has brought it within three hours' distance of the metropolis, and made it a convenient port of embarkation for France. Nearly fifty houses have been erected during the past year, and as many are in progress. A new bank has been built for a branch of the National Provincial Bank of England; a northern wing has been added to the Pavilion hotel, and another hotel is just completed, called the Royal George. The line of railway connecting Gravesend with Chatham, Rochester, and Strood, is now completed. It is seven miles in length, and the run between Gravesend and Rochester will occupy about 20 minutes. It is proposed to place the terminus at the former town, in connection with the new pier now erecting at the Terrace-gardens. LANCASHIRE. The A noble example has been set in the case of a lay patron, the Earl of Derby, in conjunction with his son Lord Stanley, of the division of parishes of overgrown population into several ecclesiastical districts, or, virtually, additional parishes. living of Winwick contains a population now of probably 20,000. The annual value of the rectorial income is 4,220l. and a Bill has been carried through Parliament to divide the living into five or six different parishes, apportioning the tithes among the several incumbents. The present rectory house is to be reduced in size; new parsonage houses, of which a most admirable plan has been prepared, are to be built for the parochial clergy, and, where needed, a new church or churches to be built. Notwithstanding the opposition that has been offered in various quarters to the extension of Popery in Liverpool, it is on the increase. In addition to the introduc3 H tion of a nunnery, and the erection of different chapels in the town and neighbourhood, three others are now in course of construction; viz. St. Mary's, St. Anne's, and St. Francis Xavier's. St. Joseph's (late All Saints') was dedicated with the customary ceremonies on Thursday, March 6, and mass was performed for the first time. A handsome edifice, of Elizabethan architecture, called the Roby Day and Sunday Schools, has just been completed at Manchester, in the rear of Grosvenor Street Chapel, with which the schools are connected, on the British system. Level with the street is an open cloister or colonnade, intended as a playing-place. Two staircases, one for boys and the other for girls, conduct thence to the rooms above. On the first floor is a large apartment used as a library and reading-room. The schools are destined for about four hundred children, and the entire cost of the building has not exceeded 30007. LEICESTERSHIRE. March 7.-A sale took place at the Auction Mart of the advowson and next presentation to the Vicarage of Melton Mowbray, with the Hamlets of Burton Lazars, Sysonby, Welby, and Freeby, to each of which there is a chapel of ease. The population amounts to about 3937 persons, and the extent of the parish, exclusive of the hamlets, is about 2500 acres. The tithes have been commuted for a rent charge of 5151. per annum; the surplice fees, Easter offerings, &c. produce upwards of 401., and, with the vicarage house and glebe, the gross income was estimated at 5951. per annum, which was subject to a deduction of 50l. for rates and taxes, and 1007. the stipend of one curate. Sold for 29007. MIDDLESEX. Feb. 25.-A sale of the moiety of a whole share in the Putney and Fulham Bridge, took place at the Auction Mart. There were originally 30 shares of 10007. each. The average dividend of the moiety per annum was 45l. The bridge is freehold property, and the proprietor of any part of a share producing above 41. per annum, is entitled to a vote for both Middlesex and Surrey. The moiety was divided into five lots, each being one-fifth part. Four of the lots were sold for 155/. each, and the fifth for 1457. SHROPSHIRE. Some few weeks back, as the workmen of Messrs. Southwell, carpet manufacturers of Bridgenorth, were engaged in making some additions to their factory, situate on the banks of the river Severn, close to the monastic site of the Old Friars, after having gone a considerable depth they found many excavations hewn out of the solid rock, forming complete coffins, in which were discovered human bones, many in a perfect state, particularly the skull and thigh bones. STAFFORDSHIRE. The Earl of Shrewsbury has just concluded a treaty with a building company in Cheshire, by which his lordship receives 35,000l. for 85 acres of his extensive property in that county. As the land thus conveyed formed a portion of the settled family estates, his lordship has laid out the proceeds in the purchase of the estate of Cotton in Staffordshire, a very valuable and desirable acquisition, immediately contiguous to his lordship's magnificent demesne of Alton Towers. SUSSEX. March 7. A sale by auction of perpetual advowson and next presentation to the vicarage of Chidham in Sussex. It contains 1200 acres, and a population of 320. The benefice is worth 1281. per annum, the tithes paying 1s. 6d. an acre, which have not been commuted. It was bought for 6401. WARWICKSHIRE. A handsome set of Communion Plate has been presented for the use of the newly-erected chapel of St. Paul, Warwick, consisting of a massive silver flagon, paten, and cup; each piece bearing the following inscription:"A gift to St. Paul's Chapel, Warwick, in memory of the late George Innes, Head-master of King Henry the Eighth's School, and Isabella, his wife-1844." March 7. The Rectory of Idlicote, in the county of Warwick, was offered for sale. The population amounted to about 828, the extent of the parish to about 1500 acres. The benefice is estimated at 3007. per annum, the tithes having been commuted to that amount. It was sold for 14757. YORKSHIRE. The bell intended to be put up in the south tower of York Minster, has been cast at the foundry in Whitechapel. Its weight exceeds twelve tons; it is 7 ft. 7 in. in height, and its diameter is 8 ft. 4 in., being heavier by 7 tons than the celebrated "Tom" of Lincoln, and by 5 tons than "Old Tom" of Oxford. The metal took 12 days to cool, from the 18th of January, when it was poured into the mould, to the 30th. The clapper will weigh between 3 and 4 cwt. The cost of it is about 2,000. PROMOTIONS, PREFERMENTS, &c. GAZETTE PROMOTIONS. Jan. 8. South Devon Militia, the Earl of Morley to be Colonel. Feb. 17. Royal Artillery, Major-Gen. Henry Evelegh to be Colonel-Commandant. Feb. 22. H. R. H. the Duke of Cambridge, K.G. to be Warden and Keeper of New Forest. -The Right Hon. Sir James Parke, Knt., Sir E. H. Alderson, Knt., Sir J. T. Coleridge, Knt., the Hon. J. S. Wortley, F. Kelly, esq., W. Whateley, esq., J. Greenwood, esq., Sir W. Heathcote, Bart., E. Denison, esq., and T. G. B. Estcourt, esq. to be Commissioners for inquiring into the expediency of altering the Circuits of the Judges in England and Wales. Feb. 24. Appointed to her Majesty's Hon. Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, J. Blenkarn, esq. and T. Richbell, esq. Feb. 25. 72nd Foot, Lieut.-Col. C. Gascoyne, to be Lieut.-Col.-Brevet, Capt. E. Methold, of the 4th Foot, to be Major in the Army.West Middlesex Militia, C. Ramsden, esq. to be Major.-The Hon. William Bingham Baring to be Paymaster General. Feb. 28. Henry Bickersteth, esq. to be Resident Surgeon of Somerset Hospital, in the Settlement of the Cape of Good Hope.-William B. Robinson, esq. to be Inspector-Gen. of Public Accounts for the Province of Canada. March 1. Hutchinson Hothersall Browne, esq. to be Registrar of the Court of Requests for New South Wales. March 5. Knighted, Capt. John Hamilton, late of her Majesty's Packet Service.-Benjamin Thompson, of Spittle Hill, Epsley, and Morpeth, all in Northumberland, banker, only son of Benj. Thompson, late of Morpeth, gent. deceased, in compliance with the will of his uncle, Thomas Bullock (formerly Thompson), of Spittle Hill, esq. to take the surname of Bullock only. March 7. Charles Neaves, esq. Advocate, to be Sheriff Depute and Steward Depute of the Sheriffdoms or Stewartries of Orkney and Zetland. March 12. The Duke of Montrose elected K.T.-Knighted, James Cochrane, esq. Chief Justice of Gibraltar. March 14. 5th Dragoons, Capt. J. W. King to be Major.-Unattached, brevet Colonel W. Staveley (Deputy Quartermaster-Gen. at the Mauritius), to be Lieut.-Colonel. March 17. John Pope, esq. to be Clerk of the Works and Civil Engineer for the Island of Hong Kong. March 19. First or Queen's Own regiment of Oxfordshire Yeomanry Cavalry, the Duke of Marlborough to be Lieut.-Colonel Commandant. March 21. 3d Foot, Major-Gen. Sir Henry King to be Colonel.-15th Foot, Major Thomas A. Drought to be Lieut.-Colonel; Capt. R. A. Cuthbert to be Major.-80th Foot, Major R. B. Wood to be Major. March 22. Charles William Warner, esq. to be Attorney-General for Trinidad. March 24. Royal Engineers, Captain and brevet Major W. R. Ord to be Lieut.-Colonel. March 25. John Hay Drummond Hay, esq. to be Agent and Consul General in the dominions of the Emperor of Morocco; William Willshire, esq. to be Consul at Adrianople; Robert Gregg, esq. to be Consul at Mobile, NAVAL PREFERMENTS. To be Commanders-Lieut. R. A. Stewart, of the Eagle; Lieut. Henry John Douglas (1840), of the Formidable. Captain Sir Watkin O. Pell is appointed to Greenwich Hospital, and succeeded by Capt. Gordon Falcon, as Superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard. Commander Ralph Barton (1838), to the Vanguard; Commander Jeffery W. Noble (1841), to the Vindictive; Commander J. C. Prevost, to the Rodney; Commander Charles Wise (1842), late of the Cornwallis, to the Hibernia, Sir William Parker's flag ship. Members returned to serve in Parliament. Buckingham.-Rt. Hon. Sir T. F. Fremantle (re-elected). Buckinghamshire.-Christopher Tower, esq. ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS. Rev. W. Higgin, to be Dean of Limerick. Rev. J. E. Tyler, to be a Canon Residentiary of St. Paul's, London. Rev. M. Anderson, St. Paul's, Hernehill, P.C. Camberwell. Rev. F. Annesley, Clifford Chambers R. Glouc. Rev. J. Blewitt, Aberyschan P.C. Monm. Rev. J. C. Bradley, Oakworth P.C. Yorksh. Rev. C. W. W. Eyton, Worthenbury R. Flintsh. Rev. C. Gilmore, Dartford V. Kent. Rev. A. M. Hopper, Horningsea P.C. Camb. Rev. J. T. Huntley, St. Mary, Binbrooke, R, Lincolnshire. |