Summary Of Hews For December.

SUMMARY OF HEWS FOB-DECEMBER . "

VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA . The most noticeable feature in the events of the past month has been the visit of the King of Sardinia to England , he being a lineal descendant of the Stuarts , through a daughter of Charles I . His Majesty arrived in England on the 30 th November , and met with a most cordial reception . On the 1 st , his Majesty , accompanied by the Queen and Prince Albert , paid a visit to Woolwich Arsenal ; and on Sunday attended divine worship at the Sardinian Chapel , Duke Street , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , when Cardinal

Wiseman presented him an address of congratulation from the clergy on his visit to England . On the 3 rd , the Royal party ( with the exception of her Majesty ) , proceeded to Portsmouth , to view the docks and other works ; and the screw ship of war , Repulse , was named by Prince Albert , the Victor Emanuel , in honour of his Majesty . The King visited the City on the 4 th , and after the usual addresses of congratulation had been presented and replied to , took luncheon with the Lord Mayor and Aldermen . His Majesty was invested with the Order of the Garter , at Windsor , on the 5 th , and on the following day bid adieu to England , returning to his dominions through France . THE WAR .

The proceedings of the war have not been without its misfortunes—General Williams and the brave defenders of Kars having been obliged to surrender it to the Russians on the 26 th of November , to prevent dying from starvation . Omar Pasha , after an affair with the Russians , had taken possession of Khoni , five leagues from Kutais . According to late advices , an action may be ere long expected in the Crimea . Peace negotiations are again in progress , and Austria has sent Prince Esterhazy with propositions to Russia , which are stated to have received the approbation of the allies , and to which only a reply of " yes " or " no " is to he received . A treaty has been entered into between England , France , and Sweden , by which the latter is bound not to cede any portion of her territory to Russia ,

SCIENTIFIC . The first general meeting of the members and friends of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society was held on the 14 th , at Crosby-hall . The Right Hon . the Earl of Londesborough was to have taken the chair , but was prevented by illness from leaving his seat in Yorkshire . In the absence of the noble earl , the chair was taken by the Rev . Thomas Hugo ; and a resolution was carried , to the effect , < c That it was desirable to establish

a society for collecting and publishing information on all matters relating to the arts , monuments , and antiquities of the cities of London and Westminster and county of Middlesex . " Mr . G . S . Webb , the honorary secretary , read the rules and the following description of the objects of the society : —1 . To collect and publish the best information on the ancient arts and monuments of the cities of London and . Westminster , and of the county of Middlesex ; including primeval antiquities ; architecture , civil , ecclesiastical , and military sculpture ; works of art in metal and wood ; paintings

on walls , wood , or glass ; civil history and antiquities , comprising manors , manorial rights , privileges , and customs ; heraldry and genealogy ; costume , numismatics ; ecclesiastical history and endowments ., and charitable foundations , records , and all other matters usually comprised under the head of archaeology . 2 . To procure careful observation and preservation of antiquities discovered in the progress of works , such as excavations for railways , foundations of buildings , & c . 3 . To

make , and to encourage public individuals in making , researches and excavations , and to afford them suggestions and co-operation . L To oppose and prevent , as far as may be practicable , any injuries with which monuments and ancient remains of every description may , from time to time , be threatened ; and to colled ; accurate drawings , plans , and descriptions thereof . 2 . To found a museum and library for the reception , by way of gift or loan , of works and objects of arclucological interest . 0 . To arrange periodical meetings for the reading of papers , and the delivery of lectures , on subjects connected