old, the fon of a paper-maker at Moutiers, fell lately into the river of Bresse, and was not taken out till about an hour after. He was immediately afterwards put on a bed, and covered up warm, where he remained for two hours; when a skilful perfon arriving, he extended himfelf over the child, and breathed ftrongly into his mouth, at the fame time ftopping the child's ears. After this he took the child near a fire, where he rubbed him fucceffively with flannel, cau de vie, and falt; but this not effecting his purpose, the artift went to feek a pipe with tobacco. However, this laft fuccour was not wanted; for, during his abfence, the child gave figns of life, and in a fhort time after was entirely recovered."

"London, Fan, 21. Letters from Paris mention, that his Majefty has order ed the fum of 50,000 livres to be iffued towards making good the damages occafioned by the late fire at the Hotel Dieu; and that the Royal Family, the Princes of the Blood, the miniftry, and feveral other perfons of the firft rank, have contributed very largely to the fame purpofe."

"London, Jan. 30. Letters from Paris, by yesterday's mail, mention, that on a ftrict examination the number of thofe who perished in the great fire at the Hotel Dieu, amounted only to fourteen burnt, and nineteen wounded. Great numbers of patients, at first thought to have been loft, were found at differ. ent houfes, where they had taken refuge in their fright."

"Paris, Dec. 15. A perfon animated with a benevolent zeal, has found out the fecret of drawing an effence from barley, of which four ounces (at the rate of one fol per ounce) will be a fufficient daily fubfiftence for a man; who would grow too fat if he ufed more. With this effence, it is faid, human nature may be amply fupported, without any other aliment, even bread. The project will be propofed to the government; and if it is found practicable, and be adopted, will be a great relief to the poor at this time of general fcarcity;"

SPAIN.

"Madrid, Dec. 14. We have lately had the difagreeable news, fome time ince received from South America [xxxiv. 572], more fully authenticated than ever. A Spanish ship of war, na,

med the Afturias, Don Antonio de Merada commander, but just arrived at Cadiz from the South feas, entirely confirms it; and adds, that when he failed from the city of Conception, in Chili, the natives were entirely in poffeffion of the town of Caftrio on the inland of Chili, and likewife the whole island itself; alfo that the Chilefe had attacked the city of St Jago, the capital of Chili, and burnt great part of it to the ground.”

PORTUGAL.

"Lisbon, Fan. I. We have juft received the agreeable advice, that the dif turbances which have lately happened at fome of the Portuguese fettlements on the coaft of Africa, particularly at Arverri, Mogador, and Arebo, are now entirely fettled, through the bravery and conduct of the Portuguese commander at Benin, who, with about 700 Europeans, (most of them irregulars), and about 8000 friendly Negroes, gave battle to an army of between 30 and 40,000 Negroes, under the command of the King of Whidah, a Negro prince, and obtained a complete victory; fince which, peace has been effectually re-established.” BARBAR Y.

"Ancona, Dec. 14. A rupture is talk* ed of between Spain and the Barbary powers, in fupport of which it is faid, that the Spaniards have taken a large fhip belonging to a certain power, and car ried her into Carthagena, on pretence that he was laden with warlike ftores, defigned as a present for the Dey of Algiers. According to all our accounts from the coaft of Barbary, the French are highly refpected all over Algiers, where the merchants of that nation have obtained leave to build, not only an hofpital, but a church, befides feveral privi. leges with refpect to their trade. The Dey of that regency carries his attention to the French fo far, as to take all the European goods he has occafion for of the French conful; to whom befides he gives leave to fet fix flaves at liberty eve ry year. This favour is looked upon as a return for the fervices done by the French in affifting the Dey with engineers, &c. to put his navy on a refpectable footing, and fortifying all the strong places in his dominions."

BRITISH WEST INDIES.
"London, Jan. 16. Letters from St
Christopher's,

Christopher's, dated the 16th of November laft, mention, that they had had fome fine rains there, and that the island was in a fair way of making a great quantity of fugars this year, the canes being very fine and green; and that a great number of the houfes which had been blown down in the late hurricane were rebuilt; and they were in hopes in a little time to complete the whole, as they hourly expected fhips from England with building materials, which were much wanted."

he

ENGLAND.

At a general court of the Eaft-India company, Dec. 3. the chairman acquainted the court, that the directors had come to a refolution of recommending, for the esfing half-year, a dividend at the rate of fix per cent. Mr Sullivan diffented: pave in a ftate of the company's affairs, Chewing their ability to divide ten percent, and to give as much to the pub, with a plan for that purpofe. Mr Rumbold gave his opinion in favour of ix per cent. Gov. Johuftone alfo gave ina ketch of a plan, which agreed with M: Sullivan's, in point of the company's Aerithing ftate; but recommending it, at the fame time, as a matter of prudence, to confine themselves to fix per cent, till out of the power of parliament. Mr Dempfter delivered two plans; but declined entering into their contents, the court being thin, and the hour late.

This fubject was taken again under confideration Dec. 23. Mr Mackworth, as chairman of the committee of twentyfive proprietors for infpecting the affairs of the company [xxxiv. 687.], affured the court, though their cash-account was very low at prefent, the general complexion of their affairs looked well; that he thought it his duty (though they had not gone through the whole of the acCunts) to tell the proprietary on that day what progrefs they had made; he therefore produced a debtor and creditor Eccount of the company, where a confiderable balance appeared in their favour; he likewife affured the court, they need be in no danger from a fuppofition of their becoming further dependent on government; for according to their accounts from the year 1767 to the prefent time, the latter could not wifh for better ents; he produced, in fupport of this opinion, annual accounts within that period, where, for every 300,000l. on

an average the company carried to their credit, government, with cuftoms, fine, &c. &c. received one million and a quarter. He arraigned very freely the late proceedings of parliament; and concluded by faying, he was not afraid to declare, he wondered how they dared take fuch unconstitutional measures. Gov. Johnftone agreed on the whole with Mr Mackworth, but differed in fome conclufions: he threw the blame of all the company's mifcarriages on the directors, who were buoying up the fpirits of the proprietary with a pompous account of their affairs, when they knew every circumftance that at prefent affects them. Mr Dempster faid, that though from the plan he had comunicated, he imagined they needed not be fo much diftreffed as to reduce their dividend fo low, yet fome late determinations of another house had rendered their affairs fo uncertain, that he had altered his opinion, and that he therefore believed the prefent dividend was the moft eligible for the prefent.A ballot was taken, Dec. 29. That the dividend for the laft half year fhall be three per cent.; and carried in the affirmative, 131 to 12.

The prefent diftrefs of the Eaft-India company, fays a writer in the London papers, cannot be deemed surprising to thofe who conder one moment the causes which have contributed to haften their ruin: let us, fays he, attend to the following fact. Our colonies fent annually to England 600,cool. for the fingle article of tea; but when it became a question, whether they should be slaves under that importation, or freemen importing it from a foreign market, the tea remained in the company's warehoufes, and the 600,000l. went to Holland and Denmark. That non-importation or lofs of market has now continued for five years, it makes three millions difference in their cafh-account, is the true caufe of the great quantity now on hand, — is an immenfe lofs to the revenue, to the merchant, to the ftate, and has operated very confiderably towards producing the prefent scarcity of money, and univerfal ftagnation to all bufinefs. This is not all: the fame motives which prevented our colonists from confuming the company's tea, alfo prevented the purchase of many other valuable articles; it is difficult to afcertain the amount, but it is very confiderable, and makes a nonftrous difference in the ftate of their af

At a meeting of the creditors of Meff. Neale, James, Fordyce, and Down [xxxiv. 473.], held at Guildhall, Dec. 23. to declare a dividend; it appearing, that the proofs and claims under the commiffion amounted to 181,330l. 19 s. 5 d. and that the affignees had a balance in their hands of 33,019 l. 15 s. 2 d. a dividend of 4s. in the pound was ordered to be made.

The office of regifter of the confents of perfons going to the plantations, given to Mr Thompfon [xxxiv. 696.], has lain dormant for more than half a century. It was established in the reign of Charles II. at a time when great encouragement was given to people to fettle in the colonies, to prevent their taking a part of the hire, and defrauding the hirers, which was common at that time.

At the anniversary meeting of the royal academy, held at Somerfet-houfe, London, Dec. 10. the following premiums were given, viz.

A gold medal to John Keyes Sherwin, for the best compofition in oil colours, the fubject of which was Coriolanus taking leave of his family.

A gold medal was likewife given to Thomas Engleheart, for the beft model of a Fa-relief, reprefenting Ulyffes addreffing himself to Nauficaa.

Three filver medals were given for the bet drawings of academy-figures, to Meff. Charles Sherrif, William Griffin, and John Howes.

A filver medal was given to Mr John Lochée, for the belt medai of an academy figure.

Two filver medals for the beft drawings of architecture, being drawings of the Banqueting-honfe at Whitehall, done from accurate admeafurements, were given to Meff. John Rudd and John Soan.

After the medals were given, the prefident, as ufual, read to the ftudents a difcourfe. He first recommended to them to keep their principal attention Exed on the higher excellencies of the art, but cautioned them again't attempting to unise contradictory excellencies, whether in regard to form, or the expreffions of paffions. He then spoke of the fubordination in which various excellencies ought to be kept, and expatiated on the leading principles and capital works of

which gave him an opportunity to speak of the characters of Raphael, and Michael Angelo. He then proceeded to thofe ftyles, the excellency of which confifted principally in the union and harmony preferved in all the component parts, without which a work cannot have that marked and determined character which is fo much the characteristic of genius: under this class he more particularly placed Salvator Rofa; and likewife fpoke of the peculiarity and character of ftyle of Pouffine, Rubens, and Carlo Maratti. He concluded, by giving them a caution to be as felect in those whom they endeavour to please, as in those whom they endeavour to imitate, alluding to the exhibitions, which, though producing fuch admirable effects, by nourishing emulation, and calling out genius, have alfo a mischievous tendency, by reducing the painter to an ambition of pleafing, indifcriminately, the mixed multitude of people who refort to them.

On the 27th of November, Mr Capon of Loweftoffe, who had been formerly fubjected to fits, and who about twenty months before had forcibly fwallowed a crown-piece, which was placed between his teeth to prevent his biting his tongue, brought up the fame, but was almoft choked in the effort. He has fince enjoyed a continued state of health, which before was frequently interrupted with pains in the ftomach, and a difagreeable talte in his mouth. The piece, when brought up, was fo black that the infeription could not be read, and ftill continues very much discoloured.

In the morning of Dec. 22. was a great fog at London and its environs, infomuch that carts, coaches, and other carriages ran against each other at noon-day. The darknefs was fo great, that the carriages of the nobility and gentry were attended with lights, the fame as at midnight.

An Efquimaux Indian captain, with his fquaw or wife, appeared in London, Dec. 24. They were brought by Com. Shuldham from Newfoundland, to eftablith a lafting friendship with the Eglots, as thefe people call the English nation. The Efquimaux nation inhabit the country on the north of the river St Lawrence, between whom and the inhabitants of Greenland there has been found a remarkable affinity of language.

MAR

St George, in Grenada, Of. 24. A few days ago died here, James Forthon, Efq; in the 117th year of his age. He was born at Bourdeaux in 1645, arrived in the West Indies in 1694, married at St Chriftopher's, and removed from thence to Martinico, where he remained thirty years, and has refided fortyeight years in this island. He retained his eye-fight to his 117th year, and enjoyed good health and a chearful difpofition till within a few days of his death.

Nov. In St Vincent's, in a skirmish with the Caribs, Capt. Fordyce, of the 14th regiment of foot.

In the fame island, Capt. Corner, of the Crefcent, and Enf. Bruce, of the 70th regi

ment.

19. At Williamsburgh, William Nelson, Efq; Prefident of his Majesty's Council in Virginia.

Dec. 21. At Rome, Mr Dufign, nephew of the late Earl of Hyndford. 11. At Genoa, John Baptift Cambiafo, Doge of that republic.

28. In his palace at Mittau, aged 83, Biron, Duke of Courland. He refigned the government to his fon Peter in 1769 [xxxi. 657]In the hiftory of human kind, we can fcarcely find a parallel to the late Erneftus John Duke of Courland. It was impoffible that any perfon could have experienced greater changes of fortune than he

did. From being the son of a stableman, or at beft a groom of the horse, to Prince Alexander of Courland, he rofe to the fovereignty of that country, and in the end attained to the actual government of the vaft empire of Ruffia during the whole reign of the Empress Anne, and for fome months after her deceafe, which he ruled with the most uncontrolled defpotifm. This man, once more reduced to his original obfcurity, was for above twenty years afterwards obliged to truft to his daily labour for fupport, in the inhofpitable and frozen regions of Siberia. Yet, when he had paffed his 74th year, he was again reinftated in his dukedom (iii. 91. 271.; xxiv. 265.; XXV. 112.], and died a fovereign prince. What must make the hiftory of this man's life appear ftill more extraordinary is, that he was but a person of very moderate talents, untinctured with learning, deftitute of wit, brutal, avaricious, haughty, implacable, and cruel. Aftein, the Imperial minifter at the court of Petersburg, who defpifed and detefted him, used to say, "When Biron (that being the Duke's name) fpeaks of horses, he speaks like a man; but when of men, or to them, he fpeaks as a horfe would do."- He was, however, indebted to nature for fome advantages that will always be a powerful recommendation: He had a fine perfon, rode gracefully, and was of an athletic make. In fine, a robust constitution, animal vigour, and a comely appearance, have wrought as furprising changes at the court of Petersburg, as ever a beautiful face, and an affectation of wit, have at that of Verfailles. Lond. papers.

1

1. At London, after a few days illness, Sir Richard Glyn, Bt, member for Coventry, Alderman of Dowgate ward, London, and Prefident of Bridewell and Bethlem hofpitals.

1. At London, Capt. George Sutherland of Forfs. This gentleman was one of the claimants for the honours of Sutherland, he being confeffedly the heir-male of the ancient Earls of Sutherland. [xxxiii. 226.]

1. At Edinburgh, Mrs Alexander, widow of William Alexander, Esq; late Lord Provost of that city.

3. At Bath, the Lady Scarborough. 4. At Gribton, Dumfriesshire, aged 68,

Mrs

Mrs Katharine Menzies, wife of William Irving of Gribton, Efq;

4. At Monkland-houfe, James Hamilton, Efq; younger of Gilkerfcleugh.

5. At Lisbon, Charles Seton, eldest fon of Hugh Seton, Efq; of Touch.

7. At Innerwick, Mrs Smith, fpoufe to Mr David Smith, minifter there.

7 At Hampstead, aged 102, Mr James Newnham. He was a Lieutenant in the Duke of Marlborough's own regiment, and was wounded in the battle of Blenheim, re, ceiving a ball in his thigh, which went quite through.

8. At his feat near Glafgow, James Campbell, Efq; of Blythfwood.

9. At London, Sir James Gray, K. B. late ambaffador to the court of Madrid.

9. At London, after a short illness, the lady of the Earl of Rochford, Secretary of State. 9. At Morpeth, aged 100 years, Mrs Mil. bourne, who kept the Nag's-head in there. 11. At London, in the 103d year of his age, Mr Dykes, a Quaker, formerly a woollen draper in Cheapfide.

11 At Skipnefs, Mrs Anne Campbell, daughter of the deceafed David Campbell of Shawfield, Efq; and widow of Colin Campbell, Efq; of Skipness.

11. At Hanover, in the 2d year of her age, the Princefs Carolina Augufta, youngest daughter of Pr.Charles of Mecklenburg-Stre litz.

12. At Edinburgh, Mr William Smith, principal clerk to the chancery in Scotland. 13. At Edinburgh, Mr William Nicol merchant in that city.

13. At London, aged 80, Thomas Smith, Efq; a gentleman of great property in York. fhire. On the 17th of December laft was determined, in the court of chancery, in favour of this gentleman, a law-fuit hetween him and the Earl of Pomfret, concerning the property of a lead-mine, which had fub fifted five years, and in which there had been three appeals to the House of Lords, and two trials at law, the costs of each party cftimated at little less than 10,000 l.

15. At London, in the 78th year of his age, Nathan Smith, Efq; Lieutenant Go. vernor of Chelfea hofpital. He had ferved in the army fifty-fix years.

15. At London, in the 24th year of his age, Mr Thomas Denham. His death was occafioned by eating two hundred oysters, which he did for a wager of fifty guineas. He was allowed an hour and a half, but eat them in an hour and twenty-three minutes. 17. At Edinburgh, Mrs Elifabeth Erkine, widow of James Patullo of Balhouffie, Efq; 18. At Thornton, Aberdeenflire, Robert Simfon of Thonton, Efq;

18. At Kaillon, Neil Maclean of Boreray, Eigs

20. At Old Aberdeen, Mr James Mitchell, first minister of Old Machar, in the 72d year of his age, and 45th of his miniftry, 42 of which he had spent in that pari.

21. At her feat near Chifwick, in an ade vanced age, the Duchefs-dowager of Somerfet. She was fifter of the late Earl of Winchelfea, and widow of Charles Seymour Duke of Somerfet, who died in 1748 [xi 481.]; to whom he was married Feb. 4. 1725-6; and by whom he had iffue, two daughters, viz. Lady Frances, who married the late Marquis of Granby, by whom the had two fons and two daughters, and died Jan. 25. 1760; and Lady Charlotte, who married the prefent Earl of Aylesford, by whom the has a numerous iffue.

22. At Edinburgh, in the 78th year of his age, Andrew Douglas, Ffq;

23. At Darlington, aged 111, John Nichols, a laboring man.

23. At Aberdeen, Peter Gordon, Efq; younger of Avochy, advocate.

23. At London, Peter Macintosh, of A. berdeen, Efq;

24. At his houfe at Maidenhead, Gabriel Hanger, Lord Coleraine, of Ireland. His title and estate devolves upon his eldest son, a colonel in the guards.

24. At Edinburgh, Mr Thomas Rannic, sen. merchant.

25. At Dunfermline, Mrs Agnes Murray, relict of David Carmichael, Efq: late of Bal. medy.

26. At London, aged 103, Thomas Frowd, He was on board Adm. Blake's fhip, and was wounded in the calf of his leg in the me morable engagement with Van Trompe

27. At Edinburgh, John Patullo, Efq; of Balhouffie.

27. At Edinburgh, Capt. Alexander Camp bell, late of the 25th regiment of foot

39. At Aberdeen, Mrs Anne Duff, fifter of the late Earl Fife, and fpoufe of William Baird, Efq; of Auchmedden.

30. At Stobhall in Perthshire, in an advanced age, Jane Duchefs-dowager of Perth, widow of James Duke of Perth, eldest fon of John, Chancellor of Scotland, who followed the fortunes of James VII and was created Duke by that prince du ing his re fidence at St Germain's. She was daughter of George first Duke of Gordon, and grandaunt to the prefent Duke; and was mother of James Duke of Perth, who died May 11. 1746, on board a French veffel, as he was making his cfcape after the rebellion 1745[xii. 595]

P. S. Feb. 4. At Edinburgh, Mary, alfo Duchets.dowager of Perth, widow of Lord John Drummond, who was fecond fon of the Chancellor, and on the death of his ne phews James and John, (who were both engaged in the rebellion 1745), took the