1669. The memorable eruption of Mount Etna began at sunset. 1722. JOHN TOLAND, a very famous English political, polemical and miscellaneous writer and antiquary, died at Putney. 1732. PETER CHIRAC, a French author and physician to the king, died. 1732. KOULI KHAN, usurped the Persian throne. 1738. It was ascertained that 12,000 persons were convicted in London in a few months for selling gin without a license, and 3,000 paid a fine of £10 rather than be committed to the house of correction. 1744. Action off Toulon between part of the British fleet under Matthews and Lestock, and the combined French and Spanish fleets. 1797. Two discharged servants informed the police that Ladies Buckinghamshire, Luttrel and Stuart played faro, in consequence of which their ladyships were fined. 1800. The Royal institution of London for the promotion of the fine arts held their first sitting. 1808. Franklin, Chatauque, Cattaraugus and Niagara counties in the state of New York, erected. 1809. HANNAH COWLEY died, aged 66. She was born at Tiverton, England, and distinguished as a poetress, and a dramatic writer. 1811. Badajos in Spain surrendered to the French under Soult. About 9,000 prisoners were taken, 170 cannon, 80,000 quintals of gunpowder, a large quantity of infantry cartridges, and two complete bridge equipages. 1812. PHILIP JAMES DE LOUHTERBOURG, a distinguished landscape painter, died at London. He was born at Strasburgh, 1740, and studied under Casanova. He gained considerable reputation by his paintings at Paris, after which he went over to England. Here he got up under the name of _Eidophusikon_, a novel and highly ingenious exhibition, displaying the changes of the elements and their phenomena, in a calm, a moonlight, a sunset and a storm at sea. 1813. Action off Surinam river between the United States privateer schooner Gen. Armstrong, 18 guns, and a British 24 gun frigate. The privateer sustained the attack 45 minutes within pistol shot, and succeeded in escaping with the loss of 6 killed and 16 wounded. 1848. HENRY WHEATON, an American statesman, philanthropist and classic writer, died at Roxbury, Mass. 1856. President RIVAS, of Nicaragua, declared war against Costa Rica. MARCH 12. 1470. Battle of Erpingham, in England, and defeat of the rebels under Sir Robert Welles. 1507. CÆSAR BORGIA killed by a cannon shot before the castle of Biano. He was the natural son of Pope Alexander VI, and by him invested with the purple. He was a man of such conduct and character that Machiavel has thought fit to propose him, in his famous book, called _The Prince_, as a pattern to all princes who would act the part of wise and polite tyrants. He allowed no one to stand in his way to promotion from any scruples to removing them by the foulest means. 1578. ALEXANDER PICCOLOMINI died; author of dramatic and other pieces. He was the first who used the Italian language in philosophical subjects.