1840. The United States exploring expedition under Lieut. Wilkes reported the discovery of a new antarctic continent on this day. A subsequent British expedition sailed over its site without being able to discern any vestige of it. It is supposed to have been a series of icebergs. 1843. THOS. W. WHITE, editor of the _Southern Literary Messenger_, died at Richmond. 1847. PETER R. LIVINGSTON, a prominent man in the counsels and politics of the state of New York, died at Rhinebeck. 1848. ISAAC D'ISRAELI, author of the _Curiosities of Literature_, died aged 82. 1853. C. B. ADAMS, an eminent American naturalist, and professor in Amherst college, died. 1854. GEORGE MCFEELY, died at Carlisle, Pa., aged 73. He distinguished himself on the Niagara frontier in 1813. JANUARY 20. 1265. The earl of Leicester having defeated Henry III, summoned a new parliament, in which the commons were first represented. 1546. FREDERICK, elector palatine, established without any acts of violence, the protestant religion. 1662. Three women condemned at Hartford, Conn., as witches, one of whom was hanged. 1706. HUMPHREY HODY died, an eminent English writer. A dissertation on the resurrection of the body asserted is one of his most useful works. 1745. CHARLES VII of Germany died at Munich, aged 48. 1764. MR. WILKES was expelled from the British house of commons for writing the _North Briton_ No. 45. This famed individual was subsequently outlawed; disregarded his outlawery; was three times elected for Middlesex, and his election as often voted void by the commons, though returned by large majorities. 1770. Lord Chancellor YORKE committed suicide in the 48th year of his age. He was a distinguished English politician, and his death is ascribed to remorse for neglecting a promise he had made to his brother to accept of no office from court. 1776. Gen. SCHUYLER disarmed the Highlanders at Johnstown, N. Y., and took six hostages. 1777. Gen. DICKINSON, with 400 militia and 50 Pennsylvania riflemen, defeated a British foraging party, took 9 prisoners, 100 horses, 40 wagons and a number of cattle. 1779. BENEDICT ARNOLD condemned to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief, for misdemeanor at Philadelphia. 1779. DAVID GARRICK, the actor, died. He formed a new era in the English stage, a reform both in the conduct and license of the drama, which was honorable to the genius that had the power to effect it. 1781. A revolt of 160 of the Jersey line at Morristown. It was suppressed and two of the ringleaders executed. 1783. The Independence of the United States acknowledged by Great Britain. 1788. GEORGE JOACHIM ZOLLIKOFER, a Swiss divine, died. He was born 1730, and became one of the most eminent preachers of the last century. His sermons have been published in 15 vols.