SOMERVILLE, Alexander, Canadian journalist, born in Springfield, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, 15 March, 1811; died in Toronto, Canada, 17 June, 1885. He was educated in the parish school, entered the army, and served for several years in the Scots greys. He was with his regiment at Birmingham, England, in 1832, at the time of the first reform-bill agitation, and for some act of supposed insubordination was sentenced to receive 200 lashes on the bare back, half of which were inflicted. The whole matter, which has been described by him in his "Diligent Life " (Montreal, 1860), was made the subject of discussion in parliament at the time, and resulted in mitigating the injustice and severity of military discipline. During 1835-'7 Mr. Somerville served in a Highland regiment in Spain, and soon afterward he left the service. From 1838 till 1858 he wrote for several of the chief British newspapers, under the pen-name of "Whistler at the Plough," his graphic descriptive sketches attracting attention. In 1858 he came to Canada, and from that time till his death was engaged in journalism. He edited the "Canadian Illustrated News," and among other works wrote "Autobiography of a Workman" (London, 1849);" History of the Fiscal System" (Liverpool, 1850); "The Whistler at the Plough" (Manchester, 1852) ; "The Conservative Science of Nations" (Montreal, 1860); and "A Narrative of SOMERVILLE, William Clarke, author, born in St. Mary's county, Maryland, 25 March, 1790; died in Auxerre, France, 5 January, 1826. In early life he took part in the struggle of the South American states for independence, attaining the rank of major, and receiving a grant of three square leagues of land from the Venezuelan government for his services. He travelled in Europe in 1817-'18, and on his return to this country took an active part in politics as a Whig and a personal friend of John Quincy Adams. He purchased Stratford House, the former seat of General Henry Lee (see LEE, RICHARD), and lived with great elegance. Mr. Somerville was appointed minister to Sweden by John Quincy Adams, and sailed on the ship that carried Lafayette to Europe after his visit to this country, but he died shortly afterward, and, in accordance with his own wishes, was buried at La Grange, Lafayette's residence. He provided in his will for the ultimate emancipation of all his slaves. Mr. Somerville possessed varied accomplishments, and was striking in personal appearance. At the time of his death he was engaged to be married to Corn, daughter of Edward Livingston. He was the author of "Letters from Paris on the Causes and Consequences of the French Revolution" (Baltimore, 1822);"Extracts of a Letter on the Mode of choosing the President" (1825); and several poetical pieces.