1815. A magazine at Dantzic containing 6,000 pounds of powder, with filled bombs and shells, blew up, destroying 700 houses and killing upwards of 600 persons.
1834. Edward Irving, a celebrated and eccentric Scottish preacher, died. He was minister of the Caledonian church in London, and, by the force and eloquence of his discourses, attracted large congregations; the greatest orators and statesmen, the wealthy and fashionable hurried to hear him. But he became finally subject to the wildest vagaries, in respect to the unknown tongues, and was ejected from his place.
1835. Nathan Smith, an eminent lawyer of Connecticut, died at Washington. He was several years United States attorney for Connecticut, and senator in congress, and was respected for his integrity and ability.
1843. John M. Taylor, commissary-general of the American army under Gen. Montgomery at Quebec, 1775, died at Philadelphia, aged 92.
1844. Nathan Rogers, an artist of merit and reputation, died, aged 57. He was a member of the national academy of design, and lent his aid to institutions of morals and charity.
1848. The king of Prussia dissolved his assembly and promulgated a new constitution.
1852. Horatio Greenough, an eminent American sculptor, died at Somerville, Mass., aged 47. He spent most of his life in Italy in the pursuit of his art, where he produced his colossal statue of Washington, and other works which stamp his fame.
1855. Anselm Rothschild died at Frankfort, Germany; the founder of the great financial house of the Rothschilds.
DECEMBER 7.
424 B. C. The accession of Darius II (Nothus). This is also the date of the battles of Delium and Amphipolis, where Xenophon and Thucydides were present, and of the occupation of Cytheria by the Athenians.