MAGNETIC Disturbances. — Similar disturbances to those observed by the Astronomer Royal, at Greenwich, on the 25th of September, and noticed in our last number, are stated by a correspondent of the Times (J. F. W. H.) to have been also observed, at the same time, at the Magnetical Observatories at Toronto, in Canada, at Longwood, in St. Helena, at the Cape of Good Hope, and at Trevandrum at the observatory established by his Highness the Rajah of Travancore. At all these stations, differing so widely in geographical position as to embrace nearly a hemisphere of the globe, the disturbance was of such extraordinary amount as to cause the im– médiate institution of extra observations. The disturbances continued during the 24th and 25th of September, and their phases, allowing for the difference of longitude, were simultaneous at all the stations. Returns have not yet been received from other stations, but are early expected from many, such as from Simlar in the Himalaya, from Van Diemen'sland, and from the Antarctic expedition under the command of Captain Ross, &c. The writer adds, Independent of the great changes in the direction of the needle, the total intensity of the magnetic power of the earth appears to have undergone, at all these stations, and at the same instant of time, fluctuations which may well be regarded as astonishing. The whole magnetic system of our planet seems to have been during those two days, so to speak, in a state of convulsion. Philosophy will of course be busy in speculating on the origin of phenomena so surprising, but we must not forget a tribute of praise to the zeal and diligence of the officers charged with the direction of these observations, and who have followed them up so efficiently, nor to the liberality of the British na

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tion in working out on so magnificent a scale the recommendations of scientific men, in this, by far the greatest combined scientific operation the world has yet seen undertaken.» For J. F. W. H. we fancy there can

reading. Sir J. F. W. Herschely be any mistake in

:-

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VETERANS.-The following are the names and ages of some of the oldest Peers. Perhaps there is no public body in the world, with the same limited numbers, which can produce an equal number of men who have attained to such venerable ages TOOTHA adi yd beve Abercromby, Lord, 72; Abergavenny, Earl, 87; Ailsa, Mar quis, 72; Anglesey, Marquis, 74; Berners, Lord, 80; Besborough, Earl, 84; Bexley, Lord, 76; Bristol, Marquis, 73; Carbery, Lord, 77; Cathcart, Lord, 87; Colville, Lord, 74, Cork, Lord, 75; Delamere, Lord, 75; Dinorben, Lord, 754 Donegal, Marquis, 73; Dorset, Duke, 75; Dynevor, Lord, 77, Ferrers, Earl, 82; Grafton, Duke, 82; Grey, Earl, 77; Grey Lord, 78; Hamilton, Duke, 75; Harrowby, Earl, 80; Hunt ley, Marquis, 81; Leitrim, Earl, 74; Limerick, Earl, 84; í Lonsdale, Earl, 85; Ludlow, Earl, 84; Lynedoch, Lord, 92; Macclesfield, Earl, 87; Manchester, Duke, 74; Manners, Lord, 80; Maryborough, Lord, 79; Mayo, Earl, 76; Middleton, Lord, 73; Mostyn, Lord, 74; Norfolk, Duke, 77; Northwick, Lord, 72; Plunket, Lord, 78; Plymouth, Earl, 74; Ponsonby,. Lord, 72; Portland, Duke, 74; Rolle, Lord, 80; Rossmore, Earl, 77; Saye and Sele, Lord, 73; Shaftesbury, Earl, 74.. Sidmouth, Lord, 85; Sinclair, Lord, 74; Stamford, Earl, 77;, Stanley, Lord, 76; St. Germain's, Earl, 75; Strathallan, Lord, 75; St. Vincent, Lord, 76; Teynham, Lord, 74; Wellesley, Marquis, 82; Wellington, Duke, 72; Western, Lord, 75; Westminster, Marquis, 75; Wynford, Lord, 75,- (TIMES.)

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FIRE-PROOF CEMENT.-Mr. Martin, of Blackfriars-road, has invented a fire-proof cement, which has been already used at the Earl of Sefton's residence, in Belgrave-square, at Staffordhouse, &c., and which, we are informed, is intended to be used by Mr. Barry, the architect, at the new Houses of Parliament. (COURT JOURNAL.)

BRICK-MAKING, &c.-A discovery has been made by Mr. R. Prosser, of Birmingham, which bids fair to be attended with important results to the interests of architecture. The novelty of Mr. Prosser's process consists in the clay being dried, ground to powder, and submitted to pressure in metallic moulds, until the particles cohere together. As there is no water in combination with the clay, no drying process is necessary; consequently the articles made by this method are ready to be fired or burned as soon as they leave the machine. Owing to the great pressure required to cause the particles of clay to cohere together, the articles made by this press have greater density than those made in the ordinary way; they are also less porous, and not subject to decay in wet or frost. In addition to these advantages, any architectural device may be impressed upon the clay, which, when burnt, will retain all the sharpness of the original, however elaborately finished. By this process bricks may be made in all weathers, and with greater economy than by any other plan known at present. The brick-press is worked by hydraulic pumps, giving about 300 tons pressure, thus producing the adhesion and cohesion. The machine delivers the bricks (four at a time in the present machine) ready at that instant for the kiln, requiring no exposure to the atmosphere to dry. The whole operation, from the time of putting the powdered clay into the machine to the delivery of the brick, occupies about half a minute. Machinery might readily be constructed to produce bricks fifty a minute. (DAILY PAPERS.)

PERMITTED TO BE PRINTED,

St. Petersburg, May 1st, 1842.

P. KORSAKOFF, CENSOR.

Printed at the Office of the Journal de St. Petersbourg. »

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John Willet, left alone in his dismantled bar, continued to sit staring about him; awake as to his eyes, certainly, but with all his powers of reason and reflection in a sound and dreamless sleep. He looked round upon the room which had been for years, and was within an hour ago, the pride of his heart; and not a muscle of his face was moved. He saw this desolation, and yet saw it not. He was perfectly contented to sit there staring at it, and felt no more indignation or, discomfort in his bonds than if they had been robes of honour. So far as he was personally concerned, old Time lay snoring, and the world stood still.

By and by he heard a footstep-a hurried, and yet cautious footstep-coming on towards the house. It stopped, advanced

(Our space will not allow us to give all the scenes exhibited of the riots. We shall select some of the most prominent, remarking that the present chapter is imme¬ diately after the sacking of the Maypole.

VOL.II.

40

again, then seemed to go quite round it.

Having done that,

it came beneath the window, and a head looked in.

It was strongly relieved against the darkness outside by the glare of the guttering candles. A pale, worn, withered face; the eyes-but that was owing to its gaunt condition-unnaturally large and bright; the hair a grizzled black. It gave a searching glance all round the room, and a deep voice said: Are you alone in this house ? »

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John made no sign, though the question was repeated twice, and he heard it distinctly. After a moment's pause, the man got in at the window. John was not at all surprised at this, either. There had been so much getting in and out of window in the course of the last hour or so, that he had quite forgotten the door, and seemed to have lived among such exercises from infancy.

The man wore a large, dark, faded cloak, and a slouched hat; he walked up close to John, and looked at him. John returned the compliment with interest.

How long have you been sitting thus ?» said the man.

John considered, but nothing came of it.

Which way have the party gone?»

Some wandering speculations, relative to the fashion of the stranger's boots, got into Mr. Willet's mind by some accident or other, but they got out again in a hurry, and left him in his former state.

"You would do well to speak, keep a whole skin, though you

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said the man you may have nothing else left that

can be hurt. Which way have the party gone?

That said John, finding his voice all at once, and nodding with perfect good faith-he couldn't point; he was so tightly bound-in exactly the opposite direction to the right

one.

You lie! said the man angrily, and with a threatening gesture. I came that way. You would betray me. »

It was so evident that John's imperturbability was not assumed, but was the result of the late proceedings under his roof, that the man stayed his hand in the very act of striking him, and turned away..