stantial forms, indicated its approval of this
officer's very valuable services.

REFORM OF THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.

The syndicate, regarding the study of classics and mathematics as the
basis of a superior education, yet nevertheless was of opinion that
greater encouragement ought to be afforded to the pursuit of various
other branches of learning, which in the general community were
acquiring more importance, recommended various improvements in the
curriculum to that end. The study of mental and moral philosophy,
natural history, chemistry, &c, were in future to be stimulated, and
every facility afforded to those who desired high attainments in these
and some other branches of learning. This movement was not very popular
in the university, but gave great satisfaction to the general public.

THE COURT.

There were but few incidents which especially concerned the royal
family, but these were important. On the 18th of March her majesty gave
birth to a princess, her fourth daughter. The baptism took place on the
13th of May, in the private chapel at Buckingham Palace. The Archbishop
of Canterbury officiated. The Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Duchess
of Saxe-Meinengen, and the Grandduchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, were
the sponsors, represented by Prince Albert, the queen-dowager, and the
Duchess of Cambridge, as proxies. The name of the princess was Louisa
Carolina Alberta. The queen gave a state banquet in the picture-gallery,
in honour of the occasion, and afterwards an evening party..

On the 27th of May her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia died at
Kensington Palace. She expired in her arm-chair, painlessly, at the age
of seventy-one. She was the twelfth daughter of George III., and was
born on the 3rd of November, 1777.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS.

_West-India Interest_.--On the 3rd of February parliament reassembled
after the Christmas recess. When the usual preliminaries on those
occasions were over, the first matter of business was in connection
with the West India interest, which complained much of distress, and
attributed it to imperial legislation. Lord George Bentinck, who became
the leader of the West-India, as well as of the country party, moved
for a select committee of inquiry into the condition of the West-India
colonies. Mr. James Wilson and Mr. Bernai delivered themselves more
happily than the other honourable members who engaged in the discussion.
The motion was agreed