1676. A hissing, detonating meteor passed over Italy two hours after sunset. Its apparent diameter was greater than that of the moon; its real diameter about three quarters of a mile; and the velocity was calculated at 160 miles a minute. 1684. NATHANIEL HIGHMORE, an eminent English anatomist, died. He is the author of the first systematic treatise on the structure of the human body, in the English language, and was indefatigable in the pursuit and improvement of anatomical science. 1733. STANISLAUS, king of Poland, sent his abdication by express, to Warsaw. 1766. RICHARD DAWES, an English scholar, died; celebrated as the author of the _Miscellanea Critica_. 1772. JAMES NICHOLAS BELLIN, a learned and laborious geographical engineer of Paris, died. 1776. The duke of Bridgewater's canal from Manchester to Liverpool completed, a great achievement for the time. 1778. The American ministers, Franklin, Dean and Lee, were publicly received at the French court. 1788. A fire occurred at New Orleans, by which seven-eighths of the city was laid in ashes. 1797. JOHN PARKHURST, an English divine, died aged 69; well known as a lexicographer. 1797. The French entered Goritz in Austria, where they found 1500 sick, and a great quantity of provisions and stores. 1799. Battle of Asterach, between the French under Jourdan, and the Austrians under the archduke, in which the latter were defeated. Austrian loss 2160. 1800. The Ionian republic, formed under the protection of the porte. Corfu, Zante and other Venitian isles formed the confederation. 1801. Battle of Aboukir, or Alexandria, in Egypt, between the French under Menou, and the British and Turks under Abercrombie. The French were defeated with the loss of 3000 killed, and the standard of the invincible regiment taken, the officer bearing this famous banner being killed, and nearly the whole of those celebrated soldiers annihilated. British loss 1376, and their commander, Abercrombie, mortally wounded. 1803. EDWARD MARCUS DESPARD, an Irish officer, executed for treason. He was appointed superintendent of the English colonies in the West Indies, where his conduct led to a recall; out of his subsequent treatment grew a desire for revenge, which led him on to his fate. 1804. DUKE D'ENGHIEN, shot at Vincennes by torch light. (See p. 104.) 1806. Madison county, New York, was formed. 1815. BONAPARTE entered Paris, the Bourbons having previously evacuated it, on the news of his landing from Elba. 1821. MICHAEL BRYAN, an eminent connoisseur in the fine arts, died. He is the author of a biographical and critical dictionary of painters and engravers. 1829. Duel at London between the duke of Wellington and the earl of Winchelsea. 1829. Great earthquake in the provinces of Murcia and Oriheula, in Spain. Upwards of 20 churches and 4,000 houses destroyed, and great numbers of the inhabitants killed. A considerable portion of the former province was converted into a barren waste.