tion in Europe.

THE PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was prorogued on the 11th of July. In his speech his majesty
congratulated the lords and commons on the victory obtained over the
French at sea on the 1st of June, and the acquisitions made in the East
and West Indies. He also took occasion again to urge the two houses to
persevere with increased vigour and exertion in the present contest,
against a power irreconcilably hostile in its principles and spirit to
all regular and established governments.

MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS.

At the conclusion of the session, the Portland party joined the
ministerial ranks. The Duke of Portland received a blue riband, with
the office of third secretary of state; Earl Spencer accepted the privy
seal, which he soon laid aside to preside over the admiralty; and Mr.
Windham, was made secretary at war. Before the close of the year, Lord
Fitzwilliam was promoted to the vice-royalty of Ireland, in the place of
Lord Westmoreland; the Earl of Mansfield succeeded to the presidency
of the council; and Lord Chatham, brother to the premier, was made
lord privy-seal. About the same time ten new peers were created. These
measures greatly strengthened the administration; and at the same time
confirmed the existing disunion of the old whig party.

EMBASSY TO CHINA, ETC.

Government had some time ago despatched Lord, Macartney on an embassy to
China, and about this time the result of his mission became known. The
embassy had been fitted out without any reasonable ground of success;
but it was still expected that it might be the means of establishing a
communication with that great empire. But the event did not answer these
expectations. His lordship was received with suspicion, and ordered to
depart as soon as he had made some costly presents, and received some
trifling ones in return, being refused even a few days' delay. As one
of the ambassador's suite observed, "They entered Pekin like paupers,
remained in it like prisoners, and quitted it like vagrants."

CORSICA ANNEXED TO THE CROWN OF ENGLAND.

The nation was somewhat consoled for this failure by the annexation
of Corsica to the crown of Great Britain; an event which, from its
political importance, was a topic of ministerial exultation. After the
disaster at Toulon, Lord Hood sailed to this island, which was in
a state of revolt against the government. He landed three thousand
soldiers and marines, and th