MISCELLANY,
Original and Select.

The King will hold his Christmas festivities at Brighton.

The only work in progress at the present moment, at Windsor Castle, is the Queen Elizabeth Gallery, on which the workmen are proceeding with all despatch, in order that, if possible, it may he completed by the period named for the return of the Royal Family.

An account is ordered to be prepared, to be submitted to the Parliament, of all persons in Monastic orders in England, Wales, and Ireland.

Colonel Evans has given notice that after Christmas he will move for leave to bring in a bill to alter the mode appointing Recorders of cities and borough towns; also "to prevent Recorders from sitting in the Commons House of Parliament."

The Birmingham Political Union met on Tuesday the report of Lord John Russell's speech on introducing the Reform bill was read from the papers, and appears to have given universal satisfaction; and the several impression was, that the alterations in the bill were improvements.

We learn from Vienna that Sir Walter Scott, on his return from Naples, will visit that capital, and thence proceed to Weimar, to pay a visit to the celebrated Goethe. The Dukes of Lucca, the Princes of Trautmansdorf, Harrach, and other personages, have left Prague for Vienna, in consequence of the cholera having broken out in the former city.

We are sorry to hear that, on account of the very great depression of the iron trade, the whole establishment of that part of the Aberdare Iron-works, formerly managed by the Messrs. Scale, is to be discontinued; the last furnace is now blowing out. The Aberdare Iron Company still keep on that part of their works which they bought of the assignees of Messrs. Tappendon (the Abernant Iron-works). This very considerable reduction of so large an establishment will throw many hundreds out of employ.—Monmouthshire Merlin.

"Punch and Judy" has reached a third edition. This will be no matter of surprise when we mention that it is illustrated by George Cruikshank. In this work have the performance printed verbatim from the acting copy, with copious notes, and a preface, which with the most ludicrous gravity gives the history and moral of the hero. But, exclusive of the literary part, the illustrations (twenty-seven in number, we believe,) will need only to be seen to ensure the sale of this book.

TOBACCO.—In Turkey and Russia the penalty on smoking once was death; in Persia, Shah Abbas decreed it a penal sentience; in Rome, Urban the Eighth pronounced an anathema against it; and Innocent the Twelfth excommunicated all who made use of it; and in England a virtual interdict exists against it in the shape of a prohibitory duty of 6s. 8d. on the pound; yet, notwithstanding all, it flourishes here, and where we have stated, the more vigorously because of prohibition and persecution.

The Berlin State Gazette of the 4th inst. states that the number of new cases of cholera on the 3d was 5; the total number to that day 2,225; of deaths 402.

Mr. Stephen Geary has been adjudged entitled to the first premium, and Mr. Clayton to the second, for their plans for improving Northfleet, where is to he erected a new pier, a magnificent hotel, public baths, reading rooms, extensive promenade gardens, &c.

On Tuesday, four quarters of unwholesome beef, which had been seized by the Ward Inquest, in the shop of a salesman named Kimber, in Newgate-market, were taken to Guildhall Justice-room, and condemned by Alderman Copeland to be publicly burnt in Smithfield on the great gridiron purchased by the City for such purposes.

On Wednesday morning Thomas Hague, the man who was found guilty of perjury at the Old Bailey Sessions, in issuing a writ against Mr. Drury, of Skelton, near York, underwent that part of the sentence which inflicted an hour's standing in the pillory against him, in the Old Bailey. The crowd was immense.

The Northampton Mercury says— "On Monday the hands employed in the manufacture of lace, residing in Loughborough, commenced a total stand, in consequence of the want of demand for that fabric. The period for which they will continue out is one month; and by this measure from 2,000 to 3,000 persons, men, women, and children, are out of employ."