of the
United States regarded the settlement as final.

EFFORTS AGAINST THE SLAVE TRADE, AND TO SUPPRESS PIRACY.

The energy put forth by the British government to destroy the traffic in
slaves by an armed naval force off the coasts of Africa were this year
unremitting and successful. Several vessels trading in slaves were
taken, and though the British squadron was not sufficient to suppress,
it was a powerful check upon the slave trade.

Naval operations off the Chinese coasts, within the Straits of Malacca
and on the coasts of Labuan, were also crowned with success. Through
the instrumentality of Rajah Brooke, the Malay pirates were defeated and
ultimately extirpated from the bays and creeks of Labuan. The position
of the rajah at Sarawak afforded him facilities for directing these
enterprises, which his indomitable courage and energy enabled him to
make available. His country did not appreciate his deeds as highly as
they deserved, and certain cliques in England decried his labours and
aspersed his motives. He rendered commerce and his country great and
disinterested services.

DEATHS OF EMINENT PERSONS.

During the year 1852, death was as usual busy in the circles of
eminent persons: the fame and talents of some of the deceased render it
desirable and necessary to record their names upon the page of history.

On the 22nd of January, George Herbert Rodwell, the celebrated composer
and writer, was removed from among the living. His musical compositions
and stage productions were numerous and popular.

In the month of February, Samuel Prout, F.S.A., celebrated for his
drawings in water-colours, and a peculiar style of depicting public
buildings, died. Also, Dr. Murray, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin,
a man of extraordinary influence, acquired by prudence, moderation,
patriotism, and consistency of character.

The most remarkable man who departed this life in the British Isles
during 1852 was Thomas Moore, the poet. He died in his seventy-third
year, at Sloperton Cottage, Wiltshire, where, through the generous
patronage of Lord Lansdowne, the poet spent his most tranquil years.
This extraordinary man was born in Aungier Street, Dublin, in the year
1779. The poet's father was a grocer, but subsequently received an
appointment as quarter-master to a regiment. The poetical genius of
Thomas Moore was shown at a very early period of life--in his thirteenth
year he contributed to the Dublin periodica