base, and at first intersected the Northern Crown, passing a few degrees under Polaris, and between Capella and Algol. It continued to rise and increase in breadth till it was nearly 20° above Polaris, when it had an altitude at its apex of 70°, appeared stationary, was nearly parallel with the Milky Way, and extended from W. by S. to E.N.E. Its breadth at this time, a quarter before nine, was about 41, and was measured by means of the two stars beta and gamma, in the head of the Dragon, as it exactly filled the space between them. At ten minutes to nine, part of the luminous arc disappeared to the eastward, but was again made perfect by thick streams of light from its western basc. It again disappeared at its eastern base, gradually wore away, and at five minutes past nine, when some clouds passed over, it could not be traced, except at its western base; yet the segment of light, from which it first appeared to rise, was not entirely effaced till ten o'clock. This was the most beautiful luminous arc of the Aurora ever observed in this latitude: it was more uniform in breadth and its light more permanent than the one observed in the night of September 26, 1826, as that arc was only made perfect at intervals by the meeting of the streamers in the zenith from its extremities. Several longtrained meteors appeared during the Aurora; and a hard gale blew from the S. W., which seemed to bend that part of the arc near the western horizon considerably out of its regular curve.

ELECTION OF A LORD MAYOR.A meeting of the livery was convened in the common-hall, pursuant to the municipal regulations of the city, for the election of an

alderman to serve as lord mayor for the year ensuing. The attendance of the livery was very numerous. The lord mayor and court of aldermen, attended by the city law authorities and officers, opened the proceedings in due form. The recorder came forward to state to the livery the nature of the business on which they were assembled. He was immediately assailed with hisses and groans, and other similar manifestations of popular disgust, which rendered what he said inaudible, except to those who were close to his person. The lord mayor and court of aldermen retired, and left the livery to their election. The common serjeant then read to the livery a list of those aldermen who had not yet served the office of lord mayor— namely, aldermen Thompson, Key, Crowder, sir Peter Laurie, and Farebrother, who were now put in nomination for election. A show of hands was then taken. It was apparently unanimous in favour of alderman Thompson. A small number was held up for Mr. alderman Crowder. The sheriffs declared the choice of the livery to have fallen on alderman Thompson, and on alderman Crowder. The two names were reported to the court of aldermen. The lord mayor and aldermen returned to the hall, when the recorder cane forward to announce that the election of the court had fallen upon the senior alderman, Thompson. This announcement was almost inaudible, in consequence of the hisses and groans with which the learned judge was again received by the citizens.

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POISONING. - A female, in the bloom of youth, and very handsome, was committed to prison, at Bremen, charged with having poisoned 65

persons, amongst whom were three husbands and five lovers. The motives for these crimes were love, jealousy, ambition, or avarice. One of the victims was a physician, who, after having examined one of the persons poisoned, and pronounced the cause of the death, was himself poisoned on the following day. On being apprehend-, ed by the police and examined, poison was found concealed in the hair-papers of her head, and she acknowledged thirty of the murders.

SINGULAR GOURMAND.-A barber of Modena, for a considerable time, evinced at intervals symptoms of madness. He was thought quite cured, when a short time ago, after showing signs of melancholy for a few days, he cut his throat with his razor. Surgical assist ance was immediately procured, but at the end of four days he died. From some particular appearances, he was opened, and, to the astonishment of the operators, they discovered in his stomach fifty-nine Venetian sequins, seventy-two imperial ducats, Roman and Dutch, eighteen half doubloons of Parma, two louis, three half sovereigns, and a quarter doubloon. It appeared that the unfortunate man had swallowed the whole a few moments before he had out his throat, -that they had produced inflammation, and would have caused his death, and that he could not have recovered, even if he had not committed suicide.

FEVER IN GIBRALTAR.On the first of this month, some cases of infectious fever having occurred in Gibraltar, the report went abroad in the place that it was the yellow fever which had appeared. An immediate cessation of business took place, and most of

the Spanish families quitted Gibraltar for San Roque and Algeçiras, without waiting to ascertain the truth of the report or the real nature of the malady. The number of fugitives increased so rapidly, that the Spanish authorities became alarmed, and refused access to any more of them; and an order was shortly after issued by the governor of Gibraltar, that no persons whatever should quit it without permission. All the remaining residents had therefore no alternative but to stay and face the evil.

At first it was believed that there was not serious ground for alarm, and no medical reports were issued, the sickness being affirmed to be not more frequent than it usually is after a long continuance of dry weather like that which prevailed in Gibraltar. But the malady gradually assumed a more decided and destructive character. By the 22nd the number of cases of fever had amounted to nearly six hundred, out of which between seventy and eighty had ended fatally. During the remainder of the month, the number of new cases, and of deaths, as appearing from the medical reports of the hospitals, were the following; but it was understood that these reports by no means included all the cases which occurred.

Sept. 23rd, admitted 67, deaths 11,

about one in six. By the 25th, the troops had all been encamped on the neutral ground, and at Europa point, to guard as much as possible, by the more open air, against the danger of infection. The district called the Neutral Ground remained perfectly healthy; but the persons transferred to it suffered great privations, while numbers of the poorer sort, prevented by the fever from pursuing their usual Occupations in the garrison, were in danger of perishing from hunger.

OCTOBER.

SUPERSTITION.-The following instance of the ignorance and superstition prevalent in some of the French provinces occurred a short time ago at Bucigny. Three young girls of that place having been suddenly attacked on the same day with convulsions, it was instantly rumoured that they had been bewitched. In consequence of this rumour, nearly four hundred persons went in procession to their house, where some of the leaders performed a variety of exorcisms. A woman, who had been with them on the preceding evening, became suspected of having bewitched them, and fled for safety to the house of the mayor. The mob, however, being determined to release the females from the spell under which they were supposed to be suffering, were continuing their exorcisms, when an immense toad was observed crossing a pathway near the house. The exorcisors immediately concluded, that the evil spirit, which had bewitched the young females, had taken the form of this VOL. LXX.

animal and they condemned it to death. It was roasted alive in the presence of the females, under the impression received in that part of the country, that, in proportion as the wizard or witch suffers, the person bewitched derives relief. In this case, however, the convulsions were greater after the execution of the toad than they were previously, and the crowd quitted the spot to hold fresh deliberation. The Procureur du Roi being informed of the affair, sent a physician to examine the females: his report was, that they were merely suffering under a nervous affection, which would very shortly yield to proper remedies.

LONDON UNIVERSITY.On the 1st of October this institution was opened, by Mr. Charles Bell, professor of physiology and surgery, delivering the first lecture of the courses dedicated to the medical profession. He prefaced his lecture by an introductory discourse, in which he spoke thus of the new Institution:

"Gentlemen ;-It will somewhat diminish the oppressive nature of my duty to-day, if you will permit me to say, that, although I have the honour of first appearing before you,-a circumstance accidental,-I speak my individual sentiments only, as your professor of Physiology and Surgery.

"The munificent arrangements made for science and education, and the numerous audience now assembled, must not lead me for a moment to assume that the labour of the professors will be light or easy. The task which awaits us is a very difficult one-we must win our way to public confidence, as if our professional exertions were but commencing.

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"The success of the University will depend on the relation established betwixt the teacher and the pupil-the devotion of the one to the interests of science, and to the instruction of youth; and the gratitude of the other for the highest benefit that can be receivedthe improvement of his mind and the acquisition of a profession: through the improvement of his mind, incalculable increase of happiness; and by the acquisition of a profession, the best security for independence that the condition of society admits. For obvious reasons London must continue to be the principal school of medicine; but whilst there are many favourable circumstances, there are also many unfavourable to regular study; and it is now to be demonstrated that it is possible to retain that which is favourable, and to avoid the defects. In colleges, such as have been instituted in former ages, the professors enjoy the advantages of independence and seclusion, and are removed from the distraction of our busy world. It is otherwise in London. Here professional men are differently situated, and more activity is requisite, perhaps of a different kind, less contemplative or theoretical -more practical; and to maintain a distinguished place, unceasing exertion is necessary. They are on an acclivity, or rather in a rushing stream, where they will be carried down, if they do not endeavour to ascend. In the course of thirty years, I have seen the establishment of many schools attempted; but it has always happened, that the temptation of following a lucrative practice has far outweighed the desire of reputation to be gained by teaching; and, consequently, just when the

professor became useful by the knowledge he was capable of communicating, he has withdrawn himself: and so the situation of a medical teacher, instead of being the highest, and entitling him who holds it to be consulted in cases of difficulty,-as being of the seniors of his profession-one who has withstood petty solicitations, and has maturely studied as well as practised, it is merely looked upon as a situation introductory to business-one of expectancy, and to be occupied in rapid succession by young and inexperienced men. Let us hope, that, instead of this rapid succession, this University may be able to raise the professors of science to higher consideration, induce men of talents to prepare themselves for teaching, and to continue their public labours to a later period of life.

"With respect to our students, the defects of their mode of education are acknowledged on all hands: they are at once engaged in medical studies, without adequate preparation of the mind,that is to say, without having acquired the habit of attention to a course of reasoning; nor are they acquainted with those sciences which are really necessary to prepare them for comprehending the elements of their own profession. But in this place this is probably the last time they will be unprepared, for example, for such subjects as we must touch on to-day. In future they will come here to apply the principles they have acquired in the other class rooms to a new and more useful science." At the conclusion of the lecture, the Warden, Mr. Horner, announced, that the whole of the University was open to the inspection of the persons present. A considerable

part of the building is as yet unfinished, but in a state rapidly approaching completion. The museum of Pharmacy, and the Materia Medica, is already very forward. The dried medical plants are arranged with great ingenuity and extremely convenient for the access of students. The anatomical and surgical museum is in great forwardness. It contains some very rare and curious specimens prepared with great skill and beauty, and is furnished with some part of a very large collection of drawings, made by Mr. Bell. The lower part of the building is fitted up as a refreshment room, in which the students may be supplied at a very moderate rate with dinners, breakfasts, and other refreshments. 2. MURDER AND SUICIDE. An inquest was held on the bodies of Charles Green, aged twentyseven years, and Eliza Green, his daughter, aged two years; the bodies lay in the house No. 45, Gray's-inn-lane. The father lay with his head nearly severed from his body, and his murdered child by his side.

Mr. Benjamin Burton, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, surgeon, stated, that he had known the deceased a great number of years. He was a native of Wittington, in Yorkshire, and formerly had occupied a good farm, but led a very debauched life, neglected his business, and got involved in difficulties. He had disposed of the whole of his crops and farming stock, and come up to London for the purpose of procuring a situation. His wife had died about last Christmas. Witness saw the deceased for the last time alive at the Pewter Platter, in Wood-street, Cheapside, when he informed witness that he was in the expectation of getting a

situation as guard to a stage-coach. He had then the produce of the sale of his effects, or at least the remainder of it, in his possession; but he was keeping company with a number of dissolute young men, on whom he spent his money, in entertaining them, they having deluded him into a hope, which was never realized, that they could obtain for him the situation he required. Some times he appeared overjoyed at the idea of getting a situation, but at other times he was in a melancholy and desponding mood. The verdict of the jury was, "that Charles Green

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was insane at the time he committed the acts-first, by administering poison to his child, which was the occasion of her death, and afterwards of cutting his own throat." It appeared that he had taken off his coat and waistcoat, and had washed and shaved himself, before cutting his throat. razor, stained with blood, was lying close by. Upon the drawers was lying a piece of an old letter, on which was written, in pencil, "Forgive me this rash act." The paper had neither address, signature, nor date. The child had been found on the bed, in the agonies of death. A narcotic poison had been administered to the infant, and, on searching the room, a bottle, which had contained laudanum, was found. After an ineffectual attempt to dislodge the poison, a coach had been procured to carry the infant to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, but it had proceeded a very short distance, when the child breathed its last.

LIGHTNING.-On Sunday last, the 5th inst, while divine service was performing in the parish church of Kilcoleman, Claremorris, in the county of Mayo, a dreadful tempest,