ORDINANCE of the King.

"LOUIS, by the grace of God, &c. To all those to whom these presents shall come, health.

"Considering the message of the 18th of this month, by which the Chamber of the Deputies of the Departments has presented to us as candidates for the presidency during the present session, MM. Ravez, De Serre, Daugier (Vice-Admiral), Dupont (General), Planelli Lavalette; We have named, and do name, M. Ravez President of the Chamber of Deputies.

"LOUIS. "LAINE.

"December 18, 1818." We have the satisfaction to announce, that Mrs. Horsley has received, by the Hamburgh mail of yesterday, letters from Mr. Horsley of the 25th ult., in full confirmation of the intelligence received a few days ago, via Holland, of the safety of the child, and the apprehension of the villain who stole it; which took place on the 23rd ult., at Braka, near Bremen. The clothes of the child were changed; but it was in perfect health, and was safely lodged in the house of the British Consul, until due authority could be received from the Government of the country where Braka is situated, for delivering him to his father. The perpetrator of this atrocious act could not be surrendered for the purpose of removal, to take his trial in this country, until an applica. tion was received from our Government.

The Queen of Spain, Maria Isabella Frances, born at Lisbon the 19th of May, 1797, was daughter of John IV, King of Portugal, and of Charlotte Joachim de Bourbon, Infanta of

Spain, sister of King Ferdinand VII, and consequently his niece.

The following is the official account of this event, published in Madrid, Dec. 27:

"The 26th of Dec. of this

year will be a day of eternal sorrow for the Spanish Monarchy, in consequence of the loss of a Queen endowed with the most eminent qualities, and who was at the same time the ornament of the Spanish throne, and the of every domestic example of virtue.

"About nine o'clock in the evening, her Majesty the Queen being in bed, and conversing with some persons in attendance on her, was suddenly seized by a convulsion which seemed to leave her in two or three minutes. Her Majesty recovered her senses, but remained in a state of anxiety, which was followed quickly by another convulsion. From that moment the attacks continued without interruption, in spite of the most proper remedies which were instantly administered to save her Majesty's precious life. Every thing was in vain: the convulsions having lasted about 22 minutes, the best of Queens expired.

"The deplorable death of her Majesty having been certified, by the King's permission the Cæsarian operation was performed. The child, which was that of an Infanta, was baptized, and every means were made use of

to

to preserve its life; they, however, proved ineffectual, for in a few minutes it expired.

"These melancholy events have plunged into the most profound grief the King our master, who loved the Queen with all the tenderness due to her virtues and her qualities. The calamity has not less affected with consternation the Most Serene the Infants, and particularly the Most Serene Infanta Donna Maria Frances d'Assise, who has lost in the Queen a most virtuous sister. All the Court, on learning the afflicting intelligence, testified the most profound grief for the loss of a Sovereign who constituted its charm. The unhappy mourn an august and benevolent mother, who with a liberal hand administered to their succour. The arts have lost an illustrious protectress, who delighted to support and encourage them. In short, there is no class of the people for whom this day is not a day of sorrow and lamentation.

"These afflicting circumstances have induced the King our master to order that the Court shall put on mourning for six months, counting from the 27th. During the three first months, full mourning shall be worn; for the three following, half mourning." Gazette Extraordinary of Madrid. 31. Edinburgh. We have this day to record one of the most disgraceful scenes that ever took place in this city.

The unfortunate man, whose name was Johnstone, was convicted and sentenced to die for robbing Mr. Charles, candle,

sen

maker: his two two accomplices, Galloway and Lee, were tenced, the former to fourteen, and the latter to seven years' transportation.

Day-light yesterday exhibited the new apparatus for the melancholy catastrophe. The place

fixed upon was before the northmost window on the west side of the New North Church, a few yards from the High-street. Numerous groups of people continued to assemble about the fatal spot to examine the dreadful preparation, and as the hour approached the crowd was very great.

The unhappy criminal walked from the Lock-up-house to the scaffold, which he ascended with a firm step, at 20 minutes before 3 o'clock. After spending a quarter of an hour in prayer, he shook hands with the reverend gentlemen who attended him, and mounted the platform with fortitude.

ex

The executioner occupying a longer time in adjusting the rope than appeared to a great part of the spectators to be necessary, much disapprobation was pressed: the platform sunk about a minute before three. Unfortunately the rope was too long, or the height from the scaffold to the beam from which the sufferer was suspended insufficient; in consequence of one or other of these causes, or both, his toes rested on the floor of the scaffold. At that moment a policeman in front, resisting the encroachment of the crowd, pushed one with his baton, who cried out "murder!" It is probable those at a

distance

distance imagined the exclamation to be occasioned by the pitiable situation of Johnstone, and therefore joined in it. Stones began to fly towards the scaffold of which, unluckily, the state of the ground afforded an ample supply; and the Magistrates and their attendants were compelled to make a precipitate retreat. It was well for the executioner that he escaped at the same time, for at such a moment the consequences to him must have been fatal. The mob continued to throw stones, some of which struck the unhappy object of punishment, and others the church windows. At five minutes past 3 a person very deliberately stepped from the crowd on the High-street, leaned on the scaffold with a knife ready open, distinguishable from its brightness (or, as we have been informed, a surgical instrument taken from a case on the instant), cut the rope, and with seeming unconcern returned to the crowd. The body fell with the head to the front of the scaffold, a sight harrowing to the feelings of all possessed of the least sensibility.

Missiles still continued to fly, chiefly directed against the windows of the church, almost every pane of which was destroyed. One large stone struck the inanimate head of Johnstone a heavy blow. A lame person, with a crutch, next climbed the scaffold, and then a general rush took place. The body was raised up, and the rope unloosed, with which the lame man exultingly descended; the cap was taken

off, and thrown among the crowd

at the same moment a cheer was given by those around the body, meaning, it is supposed, to announce that life remained, which was received by loud clapping. The coffin, light in its materials, was thrown among the crowd, and in less than a minute broken to atoms. The body was then borne off in the direction of the Lawn-market; Baillie Patison, who was proceeding to the Castle, protected by a strong body of the police, to obtain the aid of the military force, caused the bearers of the body to change their course, and they wheeled about and ar rived almost unperceived on the opposite side of the street to the Police-office, evidently without knowing what to do with it; here, on being attacked by the policeofficers, they dropped the body, divested of clothes from the waist upwards in the process of carrying (the most appalling sight of the whole), which was then taken into the Police-office.

A detachment of the 88th regiment arrived soon after, followed by another headed by Major Graham, which were posted across the Lawnmarket, at the well, and in a similar manner, from the High Church to the Exchange.

Various reports were current about the state of the unfortunate man as to his re-animation; however, he was again carried to the drop, and at five minutes before 4 o'clock was launched into eternity. The military remained until the whole apparatus was removed, and we are happy to state no further disturbance took

place.

place. The shops in the neighbourhood were closed on the first disposition to riot, and many of them were not re-opened that night.

We have not heard that any persons were seriously injured; but many inconsiderate women,

with children in their arms, were thrown down and trampled

on.

No appearance of preconcerted riot was visible; on the contrary, it arose, we believe, from the untoward circumstances of the instant.

BIRTHS.