1791. Great riot in Birmingham, England. Dr. Priestley's house and library destroyed by the mob. His philosophical apparatus was the best in the world, and his library and manuscripts above price, and not capable of being restored.
1795. Desperate engagement between a British private armed lugger of 12 guns,
and 9 French vessels of 65 guns altogether. The French were beaten off after an incessant action of 18 hours.
1797. The exiled French ministers were permitted to return to France on taking an oath to support the constitution.
1800. Bryan Edwards died; a British West India merchant, author of an elegant History of the West Indies, and other lesser productions, connected with the islands in that part of the world.
1802. Thomas Dermody, an Irish poet, died, aged 28. He was employed as Greek and Latin assistant in his father's school, at the age of 9 years; and is said to have written as much genuine poetry at 10, as either Cowley, Milton or Pope had produced at nearly twice that age. He was, at the same time, a depraved wretch, and died of intemperance.
1807. Joseph McKeen died; an American mathematician, and first president of Bowdoin college.
1808. Murat placed upon the throne of Naples by Bonaparte, under the title of king Joachim Napoleon. He governed with prudence and vigor.
1815. Bonaparte surrendered himself to captain Maitland, of the British ship Bellerophon.
1819. "A steam vessel entered one of our ports from America," says a British writer under this date.