_Miscellaneous.

Prince Henry of Holland, after a hasty visit to some in in the immediate neighbourhood of Edinburgh, sailed from Leith Roads an his frigate the Rhine, on Friday morning, for Ireland; whence he is expected to proceed to Newfound- land and Halifax.

The Duke of Wellington celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the battle of Waterlotihy the customary banquet at Apsleyyouse, on Wednesday; when Prince Albert and more than seventy of the Duke's companions in arms were present, be- tides several diplomatic foreigners.

The Earl of Mountcashel was prevented from attending in Parliament to oppose the third reading of the Maynooth College Bill, and he has instead sent a letter to the Times setting forth several of the arguments founded on the anti-loyal and Jesuitical tendencies imputed to the training at Maynooth.

A change has been silently concocting in the representation of Mid Lothian. Mr. Ramsay, who loves ease and equestrian amusements, is believed to have been long sick of the office; and his resignation, without reason assigned, was announced by advertisement yesterday morning. Everything had been previously arranged, and, without the smallest lose, of time, Sir John Hope of Pinkie comes forward to supply the vacancy.—Scotsman,.

The Dean of York having published an attack on the Vestiges of the Natural History of the Creation, combating some of its statements of fact as well as in- ferences, it has found a stout and thoroughgoing defender in Lord Thurlow, who publishes a vindication in the Times. The -Dean replies, with stout reassertion.

The Honourable Mr. Grimstone, the son of the Earl of Verulam, met with a serious accident while bathing in the Thames, near Windsor, on Saturday. In plunging into the stream, his head came in contact with a stone or sunken tree, and for a time he was deprived of sense. Fortunately, he had a companion, the Vail of Caledon, who drew him out of the water. For some time the patient was considered to be in great danger; but he is now recovering.

Mr. George Frederick Young, the eminent shipowner, has been writing letters to the Times advocating reform in the Government system of naval architecture; and he suggests the following plan for a new system- “ That the department of naval construction, including all those Important arrange- ments which are consequent upon the introduction of steam navigation, together with the controlling supervision of the Royal Dockyanis, should be vested in a Board of three Commissioners, to be appointed by the Crown, on the recommendation of the Lords of the Admiralty. That the practical details of the Dockyards should continue 'under the superintending direction of the Surveyor of the Navy, who should be e.rojicto one of the Commissioners ; the second being a naval officer of acknowledged scientific attainment, and the third a civilian, unconnected with public employment, and selected for his acquaintance with both the theory and the practice of naval architecture. That the Commissioners should not be permitted themselves to construct ships and vessels for the Navy, but be restricted to adjudication on plans submitted to them by others ; and that no new plan for building ships should be adopted unless sanctioned by their unanimous approval. That they should be empowered to receive and decide on plans offered tbr their consideration by any persons whatever; giving encouragement to suc- cessful exercise of talent, by recommendation to the Admiralty for promotion of those who may distinguish themselves in the science of construction, (and are otherwise qualified,) if In the public service, or by pecuniary or other reward if unconnected with it. That the Surveyor of the Navy should in future be always chosen from among the builders of the Royal Dockyards. That the School of Naval Architecture should be re- vived, and remodelled in such manner as to secure a perpetual succession of individuals experienced In the 'theory and practice of the profession, for progressive advancement in the public service. That the Board of Commissioners should engage the constant services of a qualified Secretary; who should be required to keep correct records of all their proceedings, as well as of all matters brought before them which may be cal- culated to improve the science of naval construction, and by careful collection of authen- ticated facts to furnish data for sound general inferences. That they should annually present a report to the Board of Admiralty, to whom they should be immediately sub- ject; and that such reports, or an abstract thereof, should from time to time be laid before Parliament.” The bubble has burst at last. Pig-iron, which was selling at 61. two months .ago, can now be bought at 55s. a ton; and is, under present circumstances, a dsttgerous speculation even at that figure.—Glasgow National. Thhe change in the temperature and the rain which has fallen during the last two or three weeks has had a most beneficial effect on vegetation of all kinds. :The wheat-crops are reported to be thriving wonderfully, and completely recover- ing from the effects of the ungenial May and rigorous winter.

There have been thunder-storms in various parts of the country. On Friday,

there was a violent storm at Chatham: the lightning set fire to a granary and piggery at Tunstall, and forty quarters of wheat were destroyed. On Saturday, a storm raged at Belper, and other places in Derbyshire; and on Sunday, Derby itself was visited, the lightning and thunder being described as terrific. In Wiltshire also the weather has been stormy; while in Lmdon a good desl ofrain has fallen.

The sudden and extraordinary increase of temperature had been accompanied by storms in almost every part of France.

Daring the late storms, the lightning has been playing some curious pranks with the electric telegraphs. On-the Rouen Railway it mystified the compositors of the messages transmitted, impeding or hurrying the needles. One of the needles on the dial of the electric telegraph at the Southampton terminus became unfitted for use, its polarity being destroyed. The attendant working the telegraph at the time received a smart shock from the handle.

The inquiry into the "Melody. Colt affair," which commenced before the Stewards of the Jockey Club, assisted by Lord Normanby.and Colonel Peel, on Saturday, closed on Wednesday evening; when the following report, including the sentence, was adopted- .. We have examined into the charge against Mr. Crommenn, Of having offered John Day junior a large bribe, to procure the defeat of the horse called the Melody Colt In the Derby of 1890. Tlds charge, founded upon a statement made to Mr. Etwall, the proprietor of the horse, by John Day junior, was supported only by his own evidence; which we find to be utterly unworthy of belief, contradicted as it was, on many im- portant points, by letters in his own handwriting of that date, addressed to Mr. Crom- tuella, and produced by him. It having been necessary for Mr. Crommenn's defence that he should place these letters in evidence before us, we further find, from the contents, that subsequent to this period, both John Day senior and John Day junior had not only continued but increased their intimacy with Mr. Crommelin, whom one accused and the other believed capable of such atrocious villany, and to which person John Day junior was In the habit of confiding the secrets of the stables. "The nature of this connexion appears to us to have been discreditable to all the parties concerned; but, considering the length of time that has elapsed since these transactions occurred, we think it unnecessary now to take further steps with respect to this part of the case, than to give the strongest expression of our opinion, that such a cornice.- ion as has been established is calculated to destroy that confidence In the faithful attention of public trainers to the legitimate interests of their several masters, on the security of which the continued prosperity of the turf can alone rest. "John Day junior having before us endeavoured to support a criminal charge by wllfhl falsehood, we direct that he be warned off the course at Newmarket, and out of the Coffeeroom-yard there, and be not permitted to ride in any race at Newmarket. We also recommend the proprietors and stewards of all race-courses where the rules of the Jockey Club are in force to prevent him from appearing on such courses.

(Signed) "STAADIISOKS,

"EXETER, "GEORGE ANSON, " NORMINBY,

" London, 18th June 1845." "J. Prat."

From the proceedings in an Excise trial in the Court of Exchequer, on Wed- nesday, it appears that fictitious tobacco and snuff are manufactured out of beech- leaves. In this case, 250 pounds weight of leaves in course of manufacture were seized in a cottage near Hull.

A few days ago, as a farmer was proceeding along the margin of Lochgelly Loch, he was attacked by a large otter. After a severe fight, the otter was lulled, but not before it had bitten the farmer's leg severely.