1814.]

Jubilee in celebration of the Peace.

The republicans are straining every nerve to strengthen their navy. The Independence, of 74 guns, has been launched at Charlestown, the Guerriere frigate at Philadelphia, and the Mohawk of 50 guns at Sackett's Harbour, on Lake Ontario, where the American squadron, under Commodore Chauncey, is waiting for a reinforcement of seamen. The gallant Sir James Yeo has resigned, from ill health, the command of the British naval force in that quarter.

On the 28th of March, the U. S. frigate, Essex, was taken, after a severe action, by the Phoebe and Cherub, in attempting to escape with a smaller vessel, from the port of Valparaiso, in Chili, where they had been for a considerable time blocked up by the British

171

Unfortu

ships. The loss on our side was trifling,
that of the Essex very severe.
nately for the gallant captors, the enemy
had landed two millions of dollars at
Valparaiso before they started.

The Rattlesnake, of 18 guns, the fleetest sailing sloop in the American navy, on her return from a cruise in the British seas, became a prize to the Leander frigate, on the 11th of July.

The British and American envoys have met at Ghent, and had some conferences; in consequence of which, the latter have sent home for further instructions. The departure of Lord Hill is probably deferred till it shall be seen what turn these negociations are likely to take.

INCIDENTS, PROMOTIONS, BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS, &c. IN LONDON AND MIDDLESEX;

With Biographical Accounts of Distinguished Characters.

THE 1st of August, being the centenary of the accession of the illustrious house of Brunswick to the British throne, and the anniversary of the glorious victory of the Nile, was selected (as mentioned in our last) for the grand jubilee in celebration of the peace. A smart shower which fell in the forenoon seemed to have fallen only to lay the dust and refresh the air; and the discharge of the Park guns about 12 o'clock announced the fete. The population of the metropolis and the whole surrounding country then poured into the parks, the scene of the amusements provided for the occasion. The lawn of St. James's-park and the Bird-cagewalk were reserved exclusively for those who to avoid the pressure of the crowd chose to purchase tickets at 10s. 6d. each. The amount thus raised will, it is understood, be appropriated to some great national charity. Over the canal in the middle of this park was thrown a beautiful Chinese bridge, on the centre of which was constructed an elegant and lofty pagoda, con. sisting of seven pyramidical stories. This edifice, with various smaller temples and columns on the bridge, was destined for the display of brilliant fire-works and illuminations. The whole margin of the lawn was surrounded with booths and tents for refreshments, and rooms for dancing, while the canal was covered with boats. At the southeast angle of the Green-park was erected a castle, the ramparts of which were about 100 feet square, surmounted by a round tower in the centre, about 60 feet in diameter, and rising to the total height of about 90 feet. Opposite to this temple, along the wall of York House-gardens, was a gallery lined with crimson, capable of containing about

1000 persons, and at that end next to St. James's park was a box of a circular form, elegantly fitted up for the reception of the royal family. These erections, and also a bridge constructed across the carriage way up Constitution-hill, for the accommodation of the royal family in passing from Bucking ham House to their box, were adorned with suitable inscriptions, and the names of those great naval and military characters who, during the late war, have raised the glory of Britain to a height which it had never before attained. The rest of the Green-park was open to the public, as was also Hyde-park, which, from the number of booths for refreshments, theatres, shows of all kinds, swings, &c. exhibited the appearance of a vast fair. The first object of attraction was a balloon, placed on the lawn in front of the queen's house, in which Mr. Sadler, jun. and Mrs. Johnstone, the actress, were to have ascended; but the cords that connected the car with the netting having become somewhat deranged during the operation of filling, and rendered the attempt extremely hazardous, the lady reluctantly submitted to be left behind. Not long before six in the evening the machine ascended in a most majestic manner, and remained in sight of the immense multitude of spectators about half an hour. The voyage, as had been foreseen, was attended with no small danger. From the breaking of part of the netting, the aeronaut had reason to apprehend the escape of the body of the machine through the aperture, and was therefore obliged to secure it by twisting the lower end round his arm; and when he wished to descend, the valve was either frozen, or out of order, so that he was under the necessity of making

172

Murder of Miss Welchman.

an incision, which precipitated his descent
to such a degree that he sprained his ancle
in alighting, soon after seven o'clock, in
Essex, near the Thames, about 35 miles from
London. Between eight and 9 o'clock, the
grand sea fight took place on the Serpentine
River, where ships of the line in miniature
manoeuvred and engaged, and where the
battle of the Nile was represented in little.
Actions between British, French, and Ame-
rican ships were likewise well managed, and
gave an idea of naval engagements. This
scene concluded by two fire ships being dis-
patched from the British fleet to attack some
French vessels which were refitting They
soon burst into an ungovernable flame, and,
on being hauled alongside the Frenchmen,
the object of their mission was accom-
plished, for, in a few minutes, the whole
four ships presented one grand conflagration.
Hyde park afterwards presented a pheno-
menon no where else to be seen, namely,
the water-rockets. They commence with
a report, which draws the attention of the
spectators; they are then seen whirling
about with great rapidity on the surface of
the water, imitating the rotatory motion of a
mill-wheel. In a few seconds there is an
addition of a very beautiful fountain, which,
after displaying its elegant spoutings for
some time, bursts forth with a loud report,
into a variety of what are called water-
snakes. These, after flying in o the air,
descend again into the water, into which
they plunge for a second or two, and then rise
at the distance of a few feet, and thus con-
tinually bounding in all directions,after various
immersions, at last expire in a loud explo-
sion. As it grew dark, the lamps and Chinese
lanteins were lighted; the former were dis
persed over the lawn in St. James's-park in
crescents and moons, elevated a small dis-
tance from the ground. The Mall and the
Bird-cage-walk were illuminated by circles
of lamps, embracing the trunks of most of
the trees. The Chinese lanterns hung in
the walks midway between the trees, and were
decorated with a great variety of whimsical
figures. About ten o'clock, discharges of ar-
tillery ushered in the commencement of the
fire-works, which played at one and the same
time from the pagoda, the castle in the
Green-park, and the terrace of Kensington
palace. The pagoda, with its temples,
pillars, and towering superstructure, was an
object of singular magnificence. It appeared
a blazing edifice of golden fire, every part
being covered with lamps, the gas lights, at
proper intervals, relieving the splendour with
their silver lustre. Unfortunately, towards
the conclusion of the fire-works, this beauti-
ful edifice caught fire about the middle, and
occasioned the loss of two lives. One per-
son, who appears to have ascended from
curiosity, finding his retreat cut off by the
flames, threw himself from the top, and was

[Sept. 1,

killed by the fall; the other was a carpenter, who, forcing his way down the stairs, was so burned that he expired next day. The fire-works continued till twelve o'clock; a discharge of cannon then enveloped the castle in the Green-park in so thick a smoke that no part of it was visible to the innumerable spectators, and when this obstruction cleared away, it burst upon them me tamorphosed into the Temple of Concord, most brilliantly illuminated, adorned with allegorical devices and paintings by the first artists, and revolving upon its centre, so that every part was alternately presented to the admiring multitude. It is impossible for any description to do justice to the magnificence of this scene, which terminated the public amusements of the festival. In jus tice to those by whom they were planned, it must be observed, that so carefully had the safety of the public been consulted in all the arrangements, that the few accidents which are known to have happened among the prodigious crowds assembled on the joyful occasion were the effects of temerity or indiscretion in the sufferers themselves.

It was at first believed that the tents, booths, stalls, &c. in the parks would be suffered to remain till the birth day of the Prince Regent ; but after some opposition on the part of their tenants, which required the interference of the police, they were all removed on the 8th. The temple in the Green park still continued in its original state, and a report having been generally circulated that it would be illuminated on the night of the 12th, an immense concourse of persons from all par's of the metropolis thronged to the place; but finding that there was no such intention, some of them, in their disappointment, tore down the rails, which they set on fire, demolished sentryboxes, and would have probably proceeded to further acts of violence, but for the arrival of a detachment of the military, who soon put an end to these riotous proceedings.

In the night of August 4, Miss Mary Anne Welchman, assistant to a dress-maker in Mount-street, was assassinated by a ruffian named James Mitchell, who had for some time past pretended to pay his addresses to her. The fate of this young woman, who is described as having been twenty-four years of age, of a handsome person, amiable manners, and exemplary conduct, will, we trust, afford a salutary warning to other females against forming hasty connexions with persons of whom they have no previous knowledge. The first meeting of Miss Welchman with her murderer, who is reported to have several wives living, and who introduced himself to her as the purser of a ship, was accidental; he afterwards visited her by her consent, but she was dissuaded by her brother from continuing to countenance his courtship. It is supposed,

1814.]

Incidents, Appointments, and Births, in London.

that, at their last meeting, this question was to have been finally settled. Be this as it may, they had been alone together a very short time, in a room on the first floor, when the report of two pistols alarmed the whole house. Before any one could arrive, the villain had effected his escape out of the window, leaving behind his hat and a brace of pistols. His unfortunate victim, whose head was dreadfully shattered, expired in a few minutes. The murderer was some days afterwards apprehended at his native village in Wiltshire, brought to London for examination, and fully committed for trial.

On the 29th July Mr. Sadler, jun. and a young lady of the name of Thompson ascended in a balloon from the area in front of Burlington-house, Piccadilly. They landed in safety in 48 minutes (22 of which they were descending) at Coggeshal, in Essex, 45 miles from London.

July 27, early in the morning, the Old Artichoke public-house. in Mary-le-bone Fields, was consumed by fire. An old woman perished in the flames, and a man, who attempted to save her, was so much burned, that he did not long survive.

Early in the morning of August 21, a fire broke out at Mr. Watson's, haberdasher, in St. Andrew's-street, Seven Dials, and entirely consumed that and the adjoining house. An elderly couple, who occupied Mr. Watson's second floor, and his maid servant, unfortunately perished.

A plan has been proposed for erecting by subscription a monument, to commemorate the sense which the women of Great Britain and Ireland entertain of the services rendered to their country by the Duke of Wellington, under the patronage of the Duchess of York, as patroness, and the Duchess of Richmond, Marchionesses of Buckingham, Lansdown, and Camden, and Countesses Spencer and Lonsdale, vice-patronesses. The intention is, to erect in bronze an exact copy of the celebrated group, by Phidias, on Mount Cavallo, at Rome, of Alexander and Bucephalus (being the most beautiful exemplification of the triumph of skill and valour over force,) with appropriate bronze decorations and inscriptions.

By the new hackney-coach act, every driver must give to the person or persons who employ him, a ticket or tickets, marked 18. or 1s. 6d., corresponding with the amount of the fare. These tickets must be produced, if complaint be made against him for extortion or misconduct. There are to be 200 hackney chariots, licensed to carry two passengers, and one servant outside; but these are not to be in addition to the present number of 1,100, but inclusive.

Appointments, Promotions, &c.] The Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Stewart, Lord Binning, and Wm. Huskisson, esq. to be members of the Privy Council.

Hon. Cornelius Cuyler, of St. John Lodge, NEW MONTHLY MAG.-No 8.

178

Welwyn, in the county of Herts; the Hon. Henry Blackwood, rear-admiral of the blue squadron, of his Majesty's fleet; Sir George Ralph Collier, knt. post-captain in the Royal Navy; Sir James Dunbar, knt. post-captain in the Royal Navy; and William Hoste, esq. post-captain in the Royal Navy; to be baronets of the united kingdom.

Lieut -gen. T. Hilgrove Turner, lieutenant governor of Jersey; Lieut -col. G. Way, 29th foot; P. Walker, esq. gentleman usher of the white rod; J. E. Smith, of Norwich, M. D. president of the Linnean Society; Cuthbert Sharp, esq. mayor of Hartlepool; J. Jelf, esq. alderman of Gloucester; W. Long, esq. mayor of Bedford; Arthur D. Owen, esq. Glansevern, Montgomeryshire; Dr. Jas. M'Gregor, inspector-general of hospitals; Lieut.-col. C. Sutton, Lieut.col. J. Milley Doyle, and Lieut.-col. T. Noel Hill, belonging to Portuguese regiments; have received the honour of knighthood.

Lord Gambier, Henry Goulburn, esq. M.P. and Wm. Adams, esq. D. C. L. to be commissioners for negociating a treaty with America, and Anthony John Baker, esq. to be secretary to the commission.

Right Hon. W. Huskisson, W. Dacres Adams, and H. Dawkins, esq. to be commissioners of his Majesty's woods, forests, and land revenues.

B. P. Blachford, esq. to be a lord of the admiralty.

The Hereditary Prince of Orange to be an extra knight of the Bath, and a general in

the army.

The Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Isaac Heard, and Sir Thos. Tyrwhitt, to be plenipotentiaries for investing the Emperor of Austria with the Order of the Garter.

Lord Burghersh to be minister plenipotentiary t the court of Tuscany.

Hon. Algernon Percy to be secretary of legation at Turin.

E. M. Ward, esq. to be secretary of legation to the Court of Würtemberg.

Wm. Pennell, esq. to be consul at Bourdeaux.

Births.] In Queen-square, Bloomsbury, the lady of Calvert Clarke, esq. of a son.The lady of S. R. Solly, esq. of a sen.

In Bernard-street, Russell square, the lady of Thos. Wyatt, esq. of a son.

In Dover-street, the Countess of Ashburnham of a daughter, being her tenth child.

At Twickenham Common, the lady of C. P. Garrick, esq. of a son.

In Gration-street, the lady of Sir Jas. Stronge, of a daughter.

In Baker-street, the lady of Geo. Sparks, esq. of a son.

In Charles-street, Berkeley-square, the lady of Sir Geo. Bowyer, bart, of a son.

In Alfred-place, Mrs. March, wite of Fred,
M. esq. of a son.

At Blackheath-hill, the dy of the Rev.
Dr. W. B. Collyer, of a dan,azer.
VOL. II.

A a

Marriages and Deaths in London, &c.

In Cavendish-square, the lady of the Hon. H. St. John, of a daughter

In Burton Crescent, the lady of John Galt, esq. of a son.

In Harley-street, the lady of N. W. R. Colborne, esq. of a son and heir.

Married.] At St. Margaret's, Westminster, Capt. Forbes, R. N. to Letitia Mary, youngest daughter, and J. S. Willett, esq. to Elizabeth Percy, eldest daughter of the late Geo. White, esq. of Park-street, Westmin

1814.]

Account of Francis James Jackson, esq.

Cottrell, M.A. formerly of Peterhouse, Cambridge, B. A. 1795, M. A. 1798, and late rector of North Waltham, Hants, 40.

At Chelsea, Mrs. Leeds, wife of Mr. John L. surgeon. Mrs. Bartholomew, wife of Capt. B. of his Majesty's sloop Erebus, on the American station.

In Spanish-place, Manchester-square, Miss Catherine Lucas, 27.

In Alfred-street, Bedford-square, Mrs. Carmichael, wife of J. Wilson C. esq. of the island of St. Vincent.

At Canonbury, Sarah, youngest daughter of S. Grimsdell, esq.

In Pump-court, Temple, Geo. Pearson, esq. an eminent and highly-respected solicitor, 74.

In Crane-court, Fleet-street, Mary Anne, second daughter of Mr. Jas. Dobie, solicitor. At Hackney, Mrs. Dokewer, wife of John D. esq.

In Millman-street, Chas. Mayo, esq. attorney.

In Harley-street, the lady of Major-gen. Thos. Dallas, of the East India Company's service.

In Serjeant's Inn, the lady of John Adams, esq.

In Upper Seymour-street, Mrs. Ann Heys, widow of Dr. John H. of Preston, Lancashire.

At Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, Lady Manners, wife of Lord M. chancellor of Ireland. She had returned with his lordship from dining with a select party at the Earl of Westmoreland's, apparently in high health and spirits, and retired to her bed-room, where she fell down, and instantly expired.

In Parliament-street, Edw. Hussey Delaval, esq. of Scaton Delaval, Northumberland, and Doddington, Lincoln, 85.

At Brompton, Harriet, eldest daughter of John Fonblanque, esq.

At Muswell-hill, Duncan Dallas, esq. father to Mrs Bush, of that place, 85.

At Walthamstow, Mrs. Du Boulay, wife of Francis Du B. esq. and daughter of the late John Paris, esq. of Wanstead, 38.

175

not on the spot to perform his duty conscien tiously to his parishioners

Sir Edward May, bart. M. P. for Belfast. At Brighton, in his 44th year, after a lingering series of sufferings, sustained with the most admirable fortitude and pious resignation, Francis James Jackson, esq. eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. Jackson, canon residentiary of St. Paul's, and of Mrs. Jackson, now resident at Bath. His diplomatic occupation commenced at a very early age, under the auspices and instruc tions of that eminent master, Lord Malmsbury, at the Hague, in 1788. In 1789 he was appointed Secretary of Legation under Mr. Ewart, at Berlin. In 1791 he became Secretary of Embassy and Charge des Affaires in Spain, where he remained five years; and soon after his return in the autumn of 1795, was sent on a special mission to Vienna. In 1796 he was appointed Ambassador to Constantinople, though political circumstances prevented his going thither. During the early period of the peace of Amiens, he officiated as minister at Paris for six months. This was succeeded by his appointment as minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Berlin, where he remained till the dispute between this country and Prussia in 1506; having, during his residence at the Court of Berlin, married a Prussian lady of distinction, whom he has left with four children. Mr. Jackson's remaining missions were to Denmark, accompanying the expedition in 1807; and as minister plenipotentiary to the United States of America in 1809. In the very active career of his short diplomatic life, and during services, many of which were the most arduous, delicate, and difficult, Mr. Jackson evinced talents the most acute and energetic, combined with a devoted zeal for the interests of his government, that has seldom been exceeded; and to this he added the most po lished manners, address, and deportment. The peculiar circumstances of a portion of his official employ, in which his whole discrimination was strikingly exercised, and his

At Edmonton, Elizabeth, wife of B. A. ardour powerfully engaged, called forth aniM'Ghie, esq. 36.

madversions, which at this time will gene

At Colney Hatch, Richard Down, esq. raily be allowed to have emanated not from banker, of London, 79.

At Finchley, Wm. Hammerton, esq. 92.
At Highgate, Wm. Bloxam, esq. 68.
At Sunbury, Mr. Thos. Style, 58.
At Hampstead, Mrs. Torrance.

In Charlotte-street, Portland-place, Mrs. Harriet Powell, widow of Lieut.-col. Geo. P. of the East India Company's service.

Mrs. Polito, relict of Mr. P. of the Menagerie, Exeter Change.

In Sackville-street, the Rev. John Carver, LL.D. archdeacon of Surrey, 73. This gentleman, long admired for his clear intellects and extensive learning, voluntarily resigned into the hands of the donors a living worth at least 2,000l. a year, because he was

his personal enemies, but those of his country, by the soundest and most judicious portion of which, his merits were duly ap preciated. In private life Mr. Jackson was an example of filial and domestic virtue, and of a disposition the most honourable, bene firent, and amiable.

Mr. Tresham, whose death is mentioned at page 73 of our last number, was a native of Ireland, which country he left at an early age; and having devoted himself to the arts, repaired to Italy, the best school for acquiring those qualifications, which alone can confer eminence. At that period, the tour of Italy, and an acquaintance with the master-pieces of the arts which that