ness of this worthy couple was fated to be disturbed by a circumstance of no common occurrence, being nothing less than the arrival from Glasgow of a pair of frail fair ones, likewise claimants to the hand and the affections of the unfortunate and fickle cordwainer. The appeal of one of these ladies was, no doubt, rendered doubly power ful by the production of a thumping child, also an aspirant to the name of " glorious John." Variety is charming, says the old song, and so, no doubt, thought the shoemaker, as he stood like the donkey in the tale between two stacks of hay. However, he resolved upon leaving the stall in charge of his " dear first wife,"

and accompanied the strange ladies into Ayr, where he spent the night. During his absence, the green-eyed monster, very naturally, got possession of the forsaken one; and on Mr.

Busbie's appearance at the habitation on the following morning, with one of the rival qeens, a slight squall ensued, in the course of which this enraged son of Crispin discharged a pistol from the window at his rebellious rib, which missed her, but wounded two other women whom the noise had drawn to the spot. A gentleman who was passing at the time, caused the fellow to be taken into custody, and he was thereafter committed to Ayr gaol. -Ayr and Wigtonshire Courier.

Every thing remains in statu quo at the Pavilion. His majesty's return to this place is very uncertain-in all probability, it will not take place prior to his visit to Scotland, a measure, we find, now decided on. It is said, the duke of York, will, as last year, sojourn at the pavilion for a few weeks, during the summer. It is not unlikely that his royal highness may be here at the

races.

Byham house, on the West cliff, has been engaged for the duke of Newcastle.

THE PICTURE GALLERY.-Several additions have lately been made to the splendid collection of pictures in this gallery. Among them we notice a large

painting, Virgil repeating part of his Ænead to Augustus, by Verhaghen. It is, certainly, a fine composition, both as regards lines and colour-possesses considerable force of expressionand is, upon the whole, a most effective effort of the artist. The architectural drawing in this picture is deserving of notice The patronage extended to this deserving place has very much improved of late.

The celebrated traveller, Belzoni, is said to have embarked at this place, for France, a few days ago.

HIS MAJESTY'S BALL TO THE JUVENILE BRANCHES OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY.-On Thursday se'nnight, his majesty gave

his annual ball and supper to the juvenile branches of the nobility and gentry. In order to avoid any restraint on the occasion, all state observances were dispensed with. The male part of the company appeared, for the most part, in the Windsor uniform, in which his majesty, himself, was dressed. The only appearance of state was on the part of the servants, who were all superbly attired.

The entertainment was given in the lower suite of rooms, which are considerably longer than the state rooms-the gothic room, and the room adjoining it, at the west end of the palace (which were first opened for the entertainment of the emperor of Russia), being added to the general building of the palace. At the east end of the suite of rooms is the admirable conservatory, distinct from the palace, extending in the gardens as far as the back of Sir Walter Stirling's house, in Pall Mall; and, upon this occasion, it was brilliantly illuminated with variegated lamps, patent lamps, and Chinese lanterns. At the upper end, a pyramid circle of most choice growing flowers plants were formed-but leaving a perfect view of the stained glass at the end of the royal arms, &c. On each side refreshments were provided; on one side was tea, negus, &c.; and on the other were choice fruits, confectionary, ices, &c. The floor of the dining room, adjoining the conservatory, was chalked with fanciful and appropriate devices. The whole of the extensive suite of rooms were perfumed with fragrant flowers from the royal gardens at Kew, &c. and were bril

and

liantly illuminated with wax lights.

His majesty, with a due regard to the habits of his juvenile visitors, invited them at the early hour of half-past eight o'clock. They began to arrive soon after eight, accompanied by their parents, with excessive joy and delight beaming in all their countenances. Their dresses were all new for the occasion. The young ladies had fanciful frocks; the young gentlemen short blue coats or jackets, and generally white trowsers. His majesty received them upon their arrival in his usual kind and elegant manner.

The dancing commenced with much joy, and continued till near twelve, when the Gothic and adjoining rooms were opened for supper. His majesty was seated in the midst of his juvenile visitors, and appeared highly delighted on the occasion.

After supper some waltzes were danced by the parents; and about a quarter past one the company broke up gratified beyond expression, at the generous reception and elegant entertainment they had experienced.

Among the company present, were their royal highnesses the princess Augusta, and the duchess of Kent, accompanied by the princess Feodore; the duke of Devonshire, earl Gower, and a few other distinguished characters who have no families.

Among those present with their sons and daughters, were:

Duke of Rutland, two daughters; duke and duchess of Montrose, one daughter; marquis and marchioness of Lansdown, one son and one daughter; sir Willoughby and lady Gordon, one son and one daughter; lord and

one

lady Mark Kerr, three daughters; earl and countess Chichester, two sons and two daughters; marquis of Worcester, two daughters; lord and lady Gwydyr, two daughters; count and countess Munster, two daughters; marquis and marchioness Cornwallis, one daughter; lord Paget, and three ladies Paget; earl and countess Verulam, two sons and one daughter; Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley Paget, one son and one daughter; Mr. Charles and lady Cavendish, one son and daughter; lord and lady Aboyne, one son and one daughter; lord and lady Lovaine, two daughters and two sons; lord and lady Delamere and family; Mrs. Cavendish, one son; lord and lady Morpeth and family; earl and countess of Jersey, one son; lady C. Smith, three daughters; lady Ossulston, two daughters and one son earl and countess of Morley, one son; lord and lady Ravensworth, five daughters and two sons; lady Ellenborough and family; marquis and marchioness

Monday, June 17, before I. M. Cripps, esq. chairman, sir David Scott, bart. R. Ironmonger, and I. Diggens, esqrs.

The Commissioners, v. George Lawrence.-The defendant was the owner of what is termed a fly carriage, running upon four

wheels, and drawn by one horse. The charge against him was for having plied for, and taken up a fare with the said carriage, he not being licensed by the Commissioners under the Local act of parliament. Defendant said he paid the post horse duty, and had applied for a license under the local act, and been refused. It appeared, that out of one hundred carriages of the description named, the commissioners would only license about thirty-two, though the aggregate number was not more than would be conducive to the convenience of the town to support. The bench could not approve of the restrictive measure of the commissioners, and instanced many evils that had, and would yet grow out of it. By licensing all who had carriages, the owners of such carriages would be brought completely under their (the commissioners) control; whereas, without a license, they had not the means even of punishing them for extortions-an advantage never forgotten in damp weather. There were fly-owners and drivers of respectable characters, it was said, and others the reversesome of both were without licenses, and the public had, and would suffer, both in pocket and convenience, by it. Considering the difficult situation, by the refusal of licenses, in which the applicants for them were placed, the magistrates were of opinion, that conviction of error ought only to follow upon absolute proof-nothing should be left to conjecture, nor considered as implied, but be, by incontrovertible testimony, established. The complaint before the bench was against a four-wheel carriage,

drawn by one horse, it was se expressed in the information whereas the act of parliament, upon which the information was grounded, only exercised a control over "hackney coaches, sedan chairs, and bathing machines." Under which of these heads, therefore, the carriage in question should come, was, prior to conviction, necessary to be ascertained. Had the act expressed hackney carriages, there would have been no difficulty in comprehending it-carriage being an indefinite word, and applying to any thing on wheels; but not so was it with the term "coach," that had a more specific meaning; and the question was, whether the carriage of the complainant could fairly be regarded as a “coach” or not, and, thereby, liable to the penalty sought? It was precisely that species of vehicle, it was observed by the commissioners' solicitor, which the act contemplated, and against which, therefore, the fine applied for, might be fairly brought into legal operation. It was denied that the act could have in contemplation any such case as that under discussion; and the reason was, that when the said act was framed, fly carriages had no actual existence; and, even at this time, so peculiar was their construction, that they were scarcely known, by being used, beyond the limits of the town. A sedan chair, or a wheelbarrow, might as aptly be called a hackney coach, as a fly carriage; in truth, the sedan chairs seemed all to have been metamorphosed into fly carriages; but that in nowise established them in law, as bona fide, nothing more nor

less, than hackney coaches. Doctor Johnson, it was then remarked, defined the word "coach," as a carriage used for pleasure; but the remark could not be received as conclusive, because, though all coaches are carriages, yet all carriages, as coaches, could not accurately be designated. The bench, however, was divided in opinion upon the subject. Mr. Ironmonger, though he agreed that the commissioners had been parsimonious in the granting of licenses, yet considered that enough had been shewn to justify the conviction contended for; and sir David Scott would not have opposed the conviction, had he been quite certain that a quarter session's appeal would grow out of it, to put the matter beyond dispute or controversy afterwards. The chairman and Mr. Diggens coincided, that the information could not be supported. The commissioners' solicitor, length, applied to withdraw the case for that time, and the prayer of the application was granted; the defendant, therefore, was dismissed, but under a liability of being called on for a further examination at a future day.

at

Thursday, June 20, before I. M. Cripps, Esq. president, sir D. Scott, bart. R. Ironmonger and T. R. Kemp, esqrs.

C. Barnes v. J. Boxall.-Defendant resides in High-street. On sunday morning, in a state of ebriety, he had been furiously driving a cart and horse, on the Preston road, frequently turning and going over the same ground again, to the annoyance and danger of many of his majesty's subjeets, To keep the horse in rapid motion, he beat him unmer

cifully-by the force of the blows, the whip, at length, broke short in his hand. He was abusive when remonstrated with, and a scene of extreme confusion had prevailed for some time, in consequence of his improper conduct. A case so aggravated, was entitled to no consideration from the bench, beyond the exaction of the full penalty of £5,

on hearing the adjudicaton, he said, he must go to prison, as he had not the means of paying the penalty; that plea, however, availed him nothing, and, on finding he was about to be committed, he contrived to produce £5, paid that amount and was discharged. Mr. Barnes received the thanks of the bench, for the laudable trouble he had given himself, in causing the affair to be investigated

Monday, June 24, before sir D. Scott, bart. president, T. R. Kemp, and I. Diggens, esqrs.

Ann Stout v. John Brewster.This was a case of information. The defendant was a shoemaker, and accused of having had his children privately inoculated for the small pox, and of carrying them out in the streets afterwards, to the very great danger of many of his majesty's subjects. He was a resident of Jew-street, did not altogether deny the charge, but said his wife had inoculated his children with a needle, and though they had been very ill, they were in a fair way of recovery. Other children in the same street had been inoculated for the small pox-he had no opinion of vaccination, but said he was not aware that what had been done was contrary to law. Ann Stout lived very near to him, she had four children,