The following piece of very questionable gossip appears in the
French paper the Messager des Chambres, as a communication from a London correspondent— Our Saturday last, AI. Dedel, in the name of the King of the Netherlands, made a formal demand of the hand of the Princess Victoria for the eldest son of the Prince of Orange. The King of England, who, as well as the Queen, is personally inn favour of this demand, consulted his Council upon it ; who, persisting in the intention of leaving to the young Princess the free choice of a husband, communicated the demand to the Duchess of Kent on the day before
yesterday. This l'rincess replied, that her daughter had already decided in favour of the eldest son of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg. This young Prince, as well as his brother, is distinguished for his understanding and good conduct as much as by his external advantages. The world will approve of the resolu-
tion of the Princess Victoria. As soon as the answer of the Duchess of Kent was known, couriers were sent off to different parts of the Continent. The
marriage will not be delayed ; and the formalities which, according to the laws of etiquette, must precede the union of a l'rince and Princess are being executed."
On Wednesday afternoon, a party of sporting lords and gentlemen accompanied the Prince of Orange to the School of Arms in St.
James's Street; where the Prince was gratified by the exhibition of several pugilistic encounters of the most renowned prize-fighters in England, a specimen of the art of single-stick, and two fencing-matches.
The Dutchess of Kent has subscribed 20/. towards the completion of the Tuam Catholic Cathedral.
The Reverend Mr. Rose, Rector of Brington, near Northampton, has written to the Standard to contradict a lying report set mi foot by the Tories, that Lord Spencer had become a Catholic. There is no harm, certainly, in any man becoming a Catholic; but the story was circulated with vile intent, and it is right that it should be contradicted.
Mr. Barry O'Meara, so well-known as the medical attendant of Napoleon in his rock prison, and author of the Voicefrom St. Helena, died on Saturday morning, of a brain fever, arising from an attack of erysipelas in the head. He was only ill for about a week. Mr. O'Meara was an active Liberal, and much beloved and respected in private life, for his many excellent qualities of head and heart.
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