The National Register. — London, England, 1821-06-03 00:00:00

i.s____-. ." years,. to acts of submission the most degrading—in short, to any thing whatever which he might choose to dictato—thus proving the verity of the old observation, that the same man who is an arrant coward will, in case of an opportunity, Flew himself a perfect bully : in faith, we wish their cowardice were once more called into action, if they cannot be independent without conspiring against the liberties of the world. The friends of misanthropy and apostacy have again met to commemorate the anniversary of their tutelar saint. We have received so many accounts of these Pitt Dinners that we must omit them all, to avoid the imputation of partiality—suffice it to say, that the London P tt Dinner was graced with the presence of Lord Eldon and some others, who have found following the steps of the " Heaven born Minister" a very productive pursuit, which has enabled them to bask in the sunshine of plenty, profuseness, prodigality, and riches, at the expence of the happiness of their country—which has made Lords of Coal-fitters' sons to make all but Beggars of those who moved respectably, before their names were known, except as the sons of an honest Widon keeping an ale-house. Extract of a letter from Captain Livingstone. of the Cerberns East India ship, addressed to his owners, slated Cape of Good Hope, the 12th of March, 1821 ; With heartfelt sorrow I inform you of the loss of the ship Cer.'• ru.c, on the morning of the 10th, at three a. is. in consequence of the ship missing stays. We were standing off and on waiting for day-light to come into Table Bay. She ran on shore on the eastern side of the Bay, opposite to Green Point.—We had great difficulty in saving the pas sengers, as the surf ran so very high on the beach. I had on board five ladies, seventeen children, and four gentlemen. The di.tre.s we were in when the ship struck may be more readily conceived than de scribed. I never saw such a melancholy sight before, the sea making a fair breach over the ship ; the boats after hoisting out were upset, and five of the crew nearly lost their lives. One man, Chris topher Stevenson, in endeavouring to reach the shipfrom the land, was drowned." SOCIETY or /taTs.—On the 30th uk. one of the most respectable meetings we have for a long time witnessed, took place at the Freemason's-hall in Queen-street, for the purpose of hearing the an nual report of this society, and witnessing the dis tribution of the honorary medals to the successful candidates in the several brunches in the fine arts, manufactures, &c. The report contained many interesting facts, strikingly illustrative of the suc cess of the exertions of the society. After it had been read, his Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, who presided, distributed the honorary rewards, accompanying each with some appropriate observa tion. The first gentleman named was C. Fysrhe Palmer, M. P. to whom were given two gold medals and a large silver medal ; the two first fur planting 280 acres, with 893,420 forest trees, and 30,700 oaks for timber; the latter fin sowing 216 bushels of acorns, on 240 acres. The next was a large gold medal, given to T. Wilkinson Esq. of Fitzroy square, for sowing 240 bushels of acorns on 260 acres. The small or Ceres gold medal, was given to Sir W. Temple Pole, Ilart. Shute House, near Axminster, for raising 896,000 oaks from acorns.— To Henry Potts, Esq. the large silver medal, for planting 194 acres with 528,240 forest trees; and to Edward Dawson, Esq. the large gold medal, fin. embanking 166 acres of marsh lard front the sea.— To the candidates in the polite arts there were •I medals of different kinds distributed. Mr. W. Salisbury, of Brampton, received the Ceres silver medal, fin. matting made of the (tiphrs latifidia,. or Lull-rush, which promises to be a source of employ. went to many poor persons. The Isis s:‘l medal was given to Mr. Bishop, for his discovery of mill. stone of superior quality. In mechanics there were II inventions, L9wtt. N. H. Nicholas, It. N. re- ccivetl the large silver medal, for a semaphore of superior construction. Mr. S. Barlow, of the royal academy at Woolwich, received the large gold medal, for the invention of an instrument to correct the 10611 variation of the ship's compass. The gold medal was also granted to Mr. Jacob Perkins, of Fleet -street, for a most important invention of in struments to ascertain the trim of a ship, whether loaded or unloaded, at sea or in harbour This gentleman also received the large silver medal, for the discovery of a rnaikod of ventilating the holds of ships, and warming and ventilating apartments A letter from Trieste of the Lid' May states, that two vessels arrived there on the 13th feint) Egypt, on board one of which three persons had died t,f the plague. They were seat to Venice perEirm quarantine. . yam , - --- . -•-• - i ..w4.K. 'mkt r THE NATIONAL REGISTER COVENT GARDEN THEATRE. On Monday night a new tragedy was produced at this theatre, called Damon and Pythias, founded on the well known historical story recorded of the two friends, in the lite of Dyonysius, the tyrant of Syracuse. The story must be too familiar to most of our readers to require any lengthened detail, as the historical facts are closely adhered to by the author. The scene lays at Syracuse, and opens with the intrigues of Dionysius with the soldiers and the se nators for the subversion of the republic. He suc ceeds, after having met with violent opposition from the unbending patriotism of Damon, a senator (Mr. Macready), who, after much lofty, but ineffec tual declamation to the senate, determines to save his country by killing the usurper. His attempt, however, is frustrated, and he is doomed by the tyrant to a public execution. Pythias, his friend (Mr. C. Kemble), who has returned from the wars to become the husband of Calanthe (Miss Dance), has returned lust in time to save his lllc, endangered by the licentious soldiers of the tyrant, and the work ings of powerful friendship are pourtrayed in the character of Pythias through several scenes. In the midst of an cpithatamiuns he hears of the doom about to be executed upon his friend Damon, and rushes from his bride in time to meet him on his way to the place of execution, and an affecting in terview takes place, in the midst of which Damon laments that he is unable to obtain a short respite to enable him to see his wife and son before he suiliast. Pythias supplicates the tyrant for the respite, which he grants, and sets Damon at liberty, on condition that Pythias shall suffer in his place if he do not return before the hour appointed fur the execution. Severe! affecting interviews take place between Damon and his wife, and Pythias and his bride brought about the endeavours made to obstruct Damon in the performance of his engagement, and the doubts cast upon his honour. He triumphs, however, over all, and arrives at the moment that Pythias is about to suffer in his place, when the ty rant, in admiration of the constancy of the two friends, bids them live ; and thus ends the tragedy, happily without any blood being shed. There is a great deal of elevated declamation in terspersed throughout the piece, which, although replete with striking situation, is somewhat deficient in plot, and some of the scenes went off rather heavily. The last scene, however, is highly wrought, and the novel termination drew down the highest applause. There was much powerful and excellent acting thrown into the character of Damon by Mr. Mac ready, and every justice was clone to the author by Mr. C. Kemble, Miss Dance, and Miss Foote. With a few curtailments, it has been repeated with an accession of applause and efli:ct, and pro mises to become a favourite stock piece. Saturday last, two fellows in a cart, with some ware, and drawn by an ass, stopped at the house of Mr. Froggart, a farmer, near the windmill, Kilburn, and in the momentary absence of the house-keeper one of them entered the house, and stole a gold watch. The woman immediately gave the alarm, a pursuit took place, and the fellows were overtaken at West End. Oa their being searched no watch was found, but one of them acknowledged that it was thrown into a pond, where it was recovered. A number of ancient ornaments, among wIlLh were a cross, a brooch set with stones, and several beads, were dug np last week near Guilton-mills, in the parish of Ash, in Kent; two gravei were also discovered, with the Inouldred remains of the persons interred. In pursuing the excavations several spears were found, but so completely nxydized as to be incapable of being removed ; on the attempt they crumbled into dust. A number of euunterf it half crowns, impressed with his present Majesty's likeness are in circula tion, and well executed. When sounded, there is a sort of tinkling in the sound, by which they may •be discomed. The surest mode of detecting then), gs to unti an indention with the sharp point of a knife, anti apply aquafin-tis to the place. If they are spurious, the liquid so applied will immediately become green. Funeral of the late Mr Samuel Ilarmer_a l Thursday evening ut live o'clock, the mortal remains of tl. unfortunate Mr. [farmer, who wits shot by his wife on the evening of the 24th tilt. were con veyed from his house, No. 6, Weston street, to the burying-ground of St. Olave's, in To.dey-street, fior interment, fidlowed by an immense crowd. The deet'ased's father and father-in-low %v.:re the print.- pal mourners, Mrs. H. being so ill as to be wholly unable to attend. It being apprehend.-d that there would be some riot, owing to the eolketion of soul a numerous body of p..ople, a strong division of the police were stationed at the Hat and S'c2 , trs public house; Lut happily there w;ls no tieLti of their asbibtance. `~--; 71 AGRICULTURAL REPoRT FOR MAT. P 1 1 The weather has continued variable throughout the month, with sudden alternation:sof heat and cold, which assuredly must have an ill erect on every species of ye. getation to a certain degree; and the blossoms of all fruit trees have suffered front the blight; hut as they were in such luxuriant plenty, a sufficiency is said to remain for an abundant crop. Of grass the shew is great, both in the feeding and hay districts. The same with !mem, cloves, and other grasses. Some clovers, which it was said had failed, have lately recovered from the showery weather, and now exhibit a strong plant Tares also are improved, and the potatoe plants are improving. The wheats generally, appear strong and healthy, and although a mouth since they were remark ably backward unfits some good lands, on others they are at present iu the opposite extreme. All the spring crops have a thriving and luxuriant appearance, and the beaus which were out by the frosts, now want but the genial warmth of the sun for their full recovery.— The thin cat wheats, within the last two or three weeks have tillered away luxuriantly. The turnip lands are getting in order. Hops have received softie check from the variable and cold weather, but the bine is generally strong and healthy. In some few districts, the Inlan lure has been discontinued, but it may prove a question able speculation whether corn will pay better. There has been a start of a shilling or two in the price of wheat, but weather markets may be expected at this season, and should the weather prove favourable, at any rate, no rise can rationally he predicted. Markets for both cattle and sheep have been abundantly supplied. and pork and veal at considerable reduced 'prices. A Norfolk correspondents of 24th inst. deeming no farther report necessary, writes—" the affairs of the farmers are becoming worse every day, and the country is overrun with labourers for whom no employment can be found." FATAL DUEL. It is with feelings of the most painful kind, that we are called upon to lay before our readers, some circiint. - stances connected with she melancholy event which tank place on the 4'.!d ult. at Winster, in I)erhyshire. Varions and contradictory false and injtwirtin reports are in circulation respecting the tratisaetiow to which we ere alluding, nor is it easy; in the present agitated state of the public mind upon this subject, to gain accurate in formation on all the particular circumstances connecter' with it. For this reason, as well as with the desire not to prejudge a question which must soon receive • a judicial decision, we shall, as briefly as possible, narrate a few facts which we bave been able to collect from the different statements circulating through that county. Mr. Cuildie, a Scotchmati by birth, was for merly a surgeon in the navy, and went about four years ago to reside at Winner, where he began to practise his profession. An attachment had subsisted for some time before his death, between himself and Miss Brittlehatik, the daughter of an eminent solicitor in the saute town, and as she was in a delicate slate of health, he had (re mit nt opportunities of seeing her in his meil;cal Capacity. NI:. Cuddle's attentions to this lady met with the decided disapprobation of her family, and it was ex:ressed to Man in the strongest terms. Out Monday the fist ult. Mr. Cuddie and Miss liri , tlerlatik, were met, whilst walking together, by Nfr William Brittlebank, her brother. who took his sister away, alter •some harsh words haul been exchanged between himself and Mr. Cuddle. So im proper indeed did the language of Mr. Cuddle appear to. Mr. W. Britilehank, that the latter sent a challenge to the forner on the evening of the same day. To this Mr. Cuddle returned no answsr, and another messenger was dispatched to him on the Cline errand the iollowing morning, who was informed by Nfr.iCitdlie that he would not meet Mt. William Brinlebatik, and therefore should not reply to his note. in consequence of this. NI r. Spencer, a surgenn, residing at Halo-well, a friend, as we are inhumed, of both the patties, was sent for by Mr. Win lirittlebasik. Ile. cause, and about three o'c'ock in the afternoon, Mr 'William and Mr. Francs • liriulehank. accompanied by Mr. Spem-r, proceeded to Mr. Cuddle's house. They were here joined by Mr. Andrew , when Mr. Spencer going into the house in formed Mr.k:tublie that lie must either make some apt.. lui.ty to Mr W. lirettlebatik, or fight. It i. stated , h ot we will tint vouch tor the accuracy of that report, 1,114 t in reply, lie aeduti declined to du, either the one or the tither. Subsequently, howeser, he appears to nave COW , SCllled to give 1I r. Britilebatik the ante:action he re quired, !Ur pistols were hiriiished by Ir. Spencer to the parties; they separated to a distance of fifteen yards on out the graved wl:k in Mr Caddie', garden, and on a signal being g.veli th. y fired. Mr. Cuddle unhappily r crived the shot of his antagonist tit his bowels, and died tile f. into% nig day, about one o'clock in the atter mein. Mr. Gosling of Chesterfield, ae.iii2 Js eti once in Mr. Maud. is absence, si 1111 l mown a respect able jury to hold their inquest, and j verdict 01" 11 , Mill Miff& r" was me Wednesday returned aizailist Mr. Wit tlehatik's three sons. Ateirew, 1% tiltani , and bra lueus, and al.° 4aainst Mr. Spetstet. e..\lr.ll,tlt..rulit tolelwnk is nut yet in custody, but the others are now dust ly ouit finial in &becalm's , gaol. A circular of Count Nesselrode directed to the different Russian Legations, observes, that the halt of the ltamian army is x complete answer to the malevolent insinuations which ascribed hostile views, with regard to the Porte, to the Eno e•or Alexander. It would. however, be eurioas to know what cfl:•ct the ruinurks in Parliament. and in the independent newspapers, have had on the prttjects or intentions of the holy alliance By recent in mints from Zinte, we are en dihly informed, that no fewer than i 5,11 .0 Greek refu gees, Wain tl'e Mores chiefly, have. thrown the' .- r•elves the protection and humanity of the lonian gcn era toe,. t. ,• 1 r s }' ' 1 11 1 1" 1 ,4 4., % ~•-:►- ti„.r ~~ r^~y~. I I'~ -~ --, wslllll/Isams..—.ll