The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1803-02-01 00:00:00

.~ 1.17 I:R.ITTIRE. rit .tenit pretium milowre. it. V. 1 0 As (.ne eh3ect of our work is to supply the reader ' with that entertainment Which results from variety, n o A pology will be nec.sssary when we pass front the works of nature to those of erSe--fenin the wilds of Britaia to those efforts of human labour which, from the rocks of Malta,. look defiance tear the sea, and ',sidle the thunders of war. Mr. AENEA, AN oratioe, who formerly visited China in Lord si , cartney'a train, and who published a narrative that niemoratle Embassy, has lately given to the public, " A Journal of the Secret Expedition," (as it was called) from the period of its. sailing from the I)owns in April 1800, to the surrender of Alex andria on the 80th of August 1801. From this vo lume, which, with all the official papers respecting the Expedition,consists .532 quarto pages, we shall, borrow the fellowieg account of some of the prin cipal fortifications of Malta. Mr. Anderson was engaged in the Expeditinn,, pessol some time on the Island, which he describes. 64 ritta Vecchia, or the old city, whose scite is on the highest ground in the island, and near the cen c-e of it, was the ancient capital ; hut the city of La Valetta, where the government resides„ is the actual metropolis of the island. Its dependencies, which are encicOed within stupendous fortifications, are considered as so many distinct towns. Besides the canals, there are small• groups of hooves scattered about the country. 'the coast is defended. by en trenchments, batteries; and towers, tidal whence the inhabitants give advice, by signal or f=ret, of any Suspected vessels that may be seen at sea. These towers, built at a small distance • from each other, and forming a curve, the extremities of which reach to the two castles' placed at the entrance of the km. boUr, eepeat the. signals with such rapidity as en sum the prompt defence'of the whole coast. " Besides the two chief harbours between which the city of La Valetta is situated, there are s'veral bays, where vessels may tide with safety. Two of the meat considerable are, St. Paul's Bay, and that of Marto Seism°, where the Turks landed. in the year 1,136. " Ific'aitale of the coast affordt opportunities for landing, except the southern part, which is bold, rocky, and of a great height. " The island of Gaza has no harbour, hat several bays. Its coasts are also furnished with towers, whose signals, repeated by the fort at Comina, very rapidly communicate the alarm to Malta. It con tains one castle, one town, and sircazals. " The city of La Valetta was Uuiit, or at leant its foundations were laid, in the year 1586. The ele vation of the spot, and its position, between the two great harbouis of the island, determined the choice of its simation. it derives its name from the Grand Master, La Valette, who, after having sustained a siege against the Turks, with very unequal num bers; and almost incredible efforts of courage, and tearing another and more powerful descent from the Ouoman troops, obtained supplies from the court of Spain, and cauralthe walls of the new city to be traced according to a plan conceived and laid down by himself. Tae inhabitants of either sex and of every age made a voluntary offer of their labours towards building the city, which would not only prove their defence, but serve to increase their com merce and secure their wealth ; as well as increase the importance of the island, by the additional pro tection it w..uld give to the trade of Europe in the Mediterranean sea. " La Valette dying in 1588, it was reserved for his successor, De' Mont, to finish the work, and the 'whole was campletc - 1 on the 18th of May 1371. " The principal attention in building this city was paid to the construction of fortifications tor its defence ; and the chapel, called La Vittoria, built by La Valette, in commemoratien of raising the siege, was at that time the cnly place of worship belonging to ea.e Order. " The knights (leach nation were allotted a par. ticular spot for their hotels ; and that of the English Rnights, which has since been replaced by the An gla-Httearian, was fixed in the quarter of La Po lorista. " It may also gratify curiosity to be informed,that the knights of r4ch nation were separately attached to the defence o: a-particular post, and that the a;- signments of them were according to the following arrangement : The kuights of Provence, the llntion of St. Phil, &c. Auvergne Unto St. !k1 , ,11..ie1. 1 mice Dino St .lams. rta;, St. Peter and St. Paul. A , rwic Data St. En g laild Platform of St. Lazarus. Germany Bastion of St. Sebastian. Castile Ditto St. Barbara. es La Valetta has already been mentioned as seated an a lofty part of the island ; and it must now he added, that it projects boldly towards the sea for ahout a mile, is washed on either side hy. two branches or inlets of it, and presents, at the same time, a stupendous mass of fortifications. "'ltt principal batteries are those of the fort and castle of St. lalmo. This fort stretches,asit were, into the sea, it defended by three tier of cannon, chiefly brass, and tas an handsome signal tower rising from the crown of it. The castle, at the same time, is surrounded with a ditch fifty feet in depth, and is - alsa encirried- by the battery of St. John, which is mounted With a numerous and an heavy artillery, chiefly brass four-and-twenty pounders, and brass mortars. This castle and battery tompletely over look the harbour, and command its entrance, pre senting to the sea an almost impregnable aspect. Opposite to it, on the right, is Fort iticasoli, and on the lett Fort Tigne, which commands the Alarsa Muschctta harbOur, allotted for vessels performing c-narantine. • " The castic - andbatteries of Ricasoi are situate at the entrance of the grand harbour, which they likewise corninand from a variety of points. It is a place of great strength, as it stands upon a rock, :old its batteries arc mounted with heavy cannon from twenty-four tb forty-tv:o pounders. Its bar racks, which are very extensive, and spacious gal eries, are all botab.prortf. In one of the latter, on the' eastern point, there are a considerable num ber of twenty-four pounders, pointed towards the sc. Which completely defend the approach of the t'' nor harbour from the east, and must inevitably destroy any ships which should be so idly daring as I:.+ xarl the conflict. to _ " The dittrAnce to it is by a flight of sixty or eighty steps from the sr,:ter, at the top of which is 4 ditch, with a draw-bridge leading to a strong gate-way, wise* preb supports*the house otficiiilly • occupied by the commandant' of the garrison:. 'From . the*st story of this commodious mansion there is a noble view, comprehending St. Elmo, the entrance of the liarbour, the city of 'La Valetta, and other connected circumstances. There is also a grand plat form, on which guns may he mounted, that ex tends several hundred feet over a range of buildings occupied as barracks, and boinh•proof. There is a very noble parade for the troops immediately front ing the commandant's house, which the zeal and attention of General Pigot, that were constantly ap plied to every object of public utility, had formed a plan to improve, and which was nearly completed when that excellent officer returned to England." TIM LID 14 NI E. 7'./EATRE-ROYAL, DRLIRT-LANE. THIS EVENING will' be prelSited a New Comet.* called HEAR BOTH SIDF.S. The Character* by Mr. Dowtnn, Mr. Blitni4ter, Jun. Mr. C. Ke.nble, Mr. kaymnint; Mr. Snett, Mr. Wrooglitun, Mr. Chary, Mr. Wewitaer, Mr. Collins. Mni Mine, :old Mrs. nasal. Th... Prolnktieto`be spoken by Mr. Bmili.ster, Jan. and thz Epilogue by MN. Aran. To which wil l be added, _ _ LOVE AND MAGIC. The New Comedy will be performed every Evenidg ftir ther nntre. 1:11 , 1 Oentleinan who made his Third Appearance in gishiard the Third, on Fridav night, was mph; received with tiniverNal applause. Due will be giveir of his next Perfutinaric... TPEATRE-ROI"AL, COVENT-GARDEN. Tins EV ENING will be perbrincil the Comic Opera of FAMILY QUARRELS. • • The rrincipal Character+ by Mr Ilra7i.no, Mr. %Wolen, Mr. Blanchard, M. Ertery, Jlr I:cyerly, Mr. Sisnimon-, awl Mr. Mr. Mattucks, Mr.. St. lacgcr, Ctrs. 1./ibilin, Mho Waddy, Awl Signora Srorace. To which will 1w atilt:Al, a new •lalo.nr.tine, ea:led A TALE 01.* MYSTF.RY.• Ti.-mniinir, a Yining Gentle than will perform the Character of 1 lasulet, ftor. the hr-t Er.R:au N.l-1 n our Paper of Yearrerdiy, in the Advertise nieut Corruros InAsitsesa,• fur! mac of the pLinti, read we of the plater, &c. Yellidgd&y...KlNo MARTIRDON--iiiktiay at ' the rubtic Utticcs• THE B 1 PRESS. LONDON, TUESDAY, FEII. 1. /to new or i:nportant business is expected - to be brought forward in either House ofParliament dur ing the present week.—The New Opposition, how ever, will take an early opportunity to renew their attacks upon the Treasury Bench.. We understand they mean to chuse new ground, and turning their attention from Foreign Politics, to attempt a refu tation of the flourishing statement of our Finances made by the Minister in the beginning of the Ses sion._%Ve have not yet heard of any :additional support acquired by them during the Recess, but report speaks loudly of the powerful force that Go vernment will muster. Foreign Intelligence is still in arrear. The Lord' Lieutenant of Ireland held- n Privy Council at the Castle of Dublin, on Tuesday last, at which Proclamation was ordered to be issued, to take IF the restriction of quarantine from vessels corning from the provinces of Pennsylvania and Maryland, tl.e epidemic fever having there totally • cmed. Levers from Naples, of the 29th of Dec. state that the Neapolitan truops arc in possession of the town, and the English of the tin trees. Monday senuight the Right lion. Lord Srne r•oeu was unanimously cho,en Member of Parlia ment for the Dumfries district of boroughs, at Annan. 'The accounts yesterday received, by the Dublin Mail, prove that the outrages in the south of Ire land are merely the result of misery, want of civi lization, and of an efficient police, and not o f a treasonable spirit. It has, therefore, been thought adviseable by Government to decline any extraor dinary interference, under the conviction, that the ord:nary ciurse of the law is sufficient for the re storation of tranquillity. The report that the In surrection- Act was to be extended to that country is therefore unfounded. Mr. Lirrensol says, in his address to the Senate arJ House of Representatives, that " the cession of the Spanish province of Louisiana to France, will, if carried into effect, make a change in the aspect of the forei,Ti . relations of the United States." It most certainly wilt. Instead of a sluggish and inert neighbour, it will give them one full of ac tivity, enterprise, and design. Many complaints having been made of the num ber of beggars 41 different descriptions,. that have lately infested the streets at the West 'l7'n,/ of the Town, whose insolent mode of supplicating charity, in some instances, amounted almost to thieats; Sir liltuAun Fogo ordered upwards of thirty of the most notorious to he apprehended, on Sunday last, in the principal streets near St. James's. These were yesterday examined at Bow-street, before it Rtcu.sttu Fonu and TuostAs notuNsor,, Esq. and by them committed to pri:oi, as rogues and vaga bonds. Letters from Havre, Jan. 23, state—We arc here very busy is seeding out more victims to the West Indies; 2000 sail to-morrow, and a larger force is preparing ; it is said 66,000. If they should send 100,000, the yellow fever will provide for them all. '7,000 men have fallen under this dis Order. An other who left St. Domingo otte month ago :braved me the actual returns—not a'house remains standing in the country—every thir.g is levelled to the ground - , or burnt. A White person dare not move half a mile from the centinels, without the certainty of being murdered. No quarter is given. The Blacks, in dying, will not take quarter.- He assured me that, under the stroke of the bayonet, they declare death to be preferable to slavery. The cruelties on both sides are dreadful, and are even incredible. Fre quently fifty or one hundred of these unfortunate wretches are conveyed ten or twelve leagues to sea, and thrown ovetboardi, tied back to back, though they are generally first suffocated in the hold. Ido not doubt the veracity of dn., officer. Indies his acoitUnt has been continued to me by others. LONDON •FASHIONS, • 101 1111Sku A k ti'. Tot:watt DRESSES.--Short robe of plain rlltent netta crape, embroidered with silver plate in a manner which pro duces the sanie effect on both sides. The sleeves short and plain, are male of white lace and finished with a bracelet. The train is of white satiii„.embroidered. round tile hottvtn with sil ver. White shoes. Tiara °nutrient in the hair, and brace lets on the anus. Dies,: of pink crape or patent net, erribroid-red with gold plate in the same manner as bt the preceding. The drapery finished in a point on the left skit!, and fastened to the dress with gold cord and tassels. Very full sleeve++ of pink crape the same as the dress. The front made plain and very low, with a lace tucker drawn full round the bosom. A white satin pet ticoat, embroidered round the bottom with gold'. DRASS.—A small routurturban of white crape, trim med routulthe front w ith gold. A white Ostrich feather placed behind; so as to'fall twee the left sidi•. For these elegant and superb Dresses we are obliged to Mrs. Lelwiin Boileau. PfitAirtrADF.DRESSES.—:-Round dress of eimbrirk nil's lin Spencer cloak of black velvet, trimmed all roilod with hroad lace. Black velvet bonnet, omansented•with black lea thern. Bear mutf. Round dress of white muslin, trimmed round the bottom with a coloured border. Long' sleeves made across anti con fiiied with two bracelets. Lung veil of lace or patent net tMist•:d round the hest, the ends falling on each Aide. • A gild comb on the top of the head. Bear muff: GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.—'rhe prevaiting'cotOurs are puce, coquelient, go - mia, and amber. "'dices of velvet, or ker reymvrc, are univ , rsel. Dresses are made very low in.the back, and the lee which trims the bosom, insteaceof forming a frill, is drawn up amis. as a tucker. The sleeves are made quate rlain, or very full; the plain . owl consist of alternate stripes of lace and mv.slut. Feathers are gs.m.:rally worn, chiefly 0.- triclt• Beaver hats and bonnets have, fat the ptesent„ super , seded those of velvet. 1 i . 7 . ... .. . 1 # 6 ' . T ...t. I .t •t .t. It ...... , fr. •11. 1 It ' / IQ 4 ADAME LANCHHSTER% FASHIONS) FOR FEBRUARY 1803. HALF DRFSS.—Ruh• of white satin, open'in front, and laced with crew ?velvet. Spenner . of green velvet, with sleeves d lu !thantria.., trammed with swan-down. S e ianish kit of green velvet, trimmed with whit:, d . ...cprated . with en Ostrich feather inclining over the right shoulder. Fair 7 rings and necklace in. the Orietatal style, of gold with a I„ c ii, t . wa t c h p eo d: ut t to a gold chain. muff and glove%; ,hers of green velvet. FIJI.I. DitESS.—Routl dres'e, with along train of Egyp tian earth colour, trimnied with gukt fringe ; shod sleevoii and handkerchief of white crape, triainiett with net. A swan-down tippet fallir.g.vev A Niebe to, ban of velvet, and gold ornaments, and amarillis of gold an Cont. Shoes, gluves, atid' ridicule of flesh colour; diamond ear rings iviml.necklacc. Their NT AJ r.ST I Es and the PRINC ESCE% are exOcted to honour Drury-lane Theatre on Thursday evening with their presence, for the first time this season. On account of the severity of the weather, his MAirsry did no: go to Kew on Saturday to inspect the works carrying on there, as he is accustomed to do. It is with much concern we state, that the Pitit4- ctss AuGusT A has had a relapse, and continues in disposed at Buckingham House. The day iia.s not yet been fixed on, for solemniz ing r.nptials of Lady FRANCES VI 1.1.1 Eits' :end Colonel PONSON BY, as stated in some Morning Pa pers. An cr.gra7ing of the head of the Spanish Poet Co rneas, is now in the hands of HrArti, desigced for the poetical production of a noble Lord. Tile Covent Garden Othello, is a Gentleman born to a considerable fortune. His father was a most respectable Magistrate in Warwickshire and Staf fordsliteorho at one time lived in splendor and:drove his coach and four, but met with misfortunes, and encountered some embarrassments previous to his death. The Countess of MaNsrirto has lately finished several gilisite ptoductions fr.nrr the antique, in a very superior style. Colonel RIGEY is now in town, busy in selecting a large collection of the most approved book for his library at Mistley Hall, Essex, which is fitting up with great taste and splendour. " Hear both sides,", is a maxim in our courts of Le :b, and we hope it willtot be rejected ju our—Theatres. GA R NEalti is said to.have obtained a brevrt of in v:ntion fr',m the Consuls of France, fur his discovery respecting the parachfire. Having read l'or E's works, we did not think that the Art of S,rkivg was a new invention. Au elegant and select assemblage, on Thursday night, partook of a splendid entertainment at Lady BILOCGIITON'S, on the North Parade, Brighton. The aniuSements before supper were er.;:irely musical. Many charming songs were given with great taste :ind effect by the Misses LLOYDS and I.Au tt.s. BATH continues extremely full. The concerts have proved very attractive. The nights on which HAvrs's Seasons were performed, about one thou sand persons' were present, and on the other nights eight hundred. . LORD WILLIAM BENTINC K, has lately been.ap pointed. Governor of Madras, on which occasion his -Lordship i. ill be entertained to-morrow by the Di rectors of the East India Company, with a sump mons dinner, at the London 'l'a..-.1.n. TlarDulte of PORTLA•ND and most of the Cabinet 111inisters will be present. Mrs. SIDDOtiS, having exhausted' her principal tr, , gic characters in Dublin, proposes to take a leading part in genteel Comedy. Saturday se'uni rht the IR !sit HARMONIC CLUB assembled, for the first time, in Dublin. Upwards of one hundred. Members and respectable Candidates appeared. Lord I' ANKPOk o was voted President for ;he ',tar ensuing, and Aitrtioß Hew, Esq. 'FTC:WIRT. The Earls of WESTM EA T :Ind NUL' t; H MOH E. and Lord T R A WI. EN - were added to the list of Members. he venerable Dr. Hums, Bishop of Worcester, has completed the select but highly valuable libra ' ry at the Episcopal Palace; which he bequeaths as an heir-loom to his successors in that See. ' A very itifamous work has lately made its appear •ance in Paris, under . the title of. " The Miser-es of Virtue and the hag nem of Vice," exempliEed in the lives of a modest and an immodest woman. A third letter of SHAKESPEARE l►as been recently discovered among the 'Dorset Papers, but so defaced by time and damp as to be scarcely legible. At tempts are however making to decypher it. GAUItIEL COLIN, optical irruument-maker of the Academy of Sciences at Stockholm, has in vented an instrument, by means of which substances may he discovered and sought at the bottom of the sea. Professor PALM tat, of Wolffenbuttle, has ifirented a composition. to secure contra/We substances, such as wood, paper; linen, cotton, &c. from catching tire. It consists of a powder made up of the fol lowing ingredients, viz.—One ounce of sulphur, one ditto of red ocre, and six ounces of cog= water. t CONCE2T OF ANCIENT MUSIC. Yesterday forenoon the first general rehearsal of the Concert of Ancient Music took place, in the great Concert Room, at the Opera House. The performance was under the direction of the Earl o utSTERFIELD, whose selection upon the occasion. dick infinite credit to his judgment and taste. It commenced, as usual, with HasnEes celebrat ed coronation anthem, " Zadock the Pr:est ; after which Mr. Ni El. D sung " for ever blessed," froni JEPT II A. The delightful trio from siciS and Gala tea, of the "Pod shall leave the Mountains," was the next. vocal treat brought forward by the noble con ductor of this elegant musical festival. It was exe cuted by MTS. BILL INGTON, Mr. HARRISON, and Mr. LEArz, who officiated' in the absence of Mr. BA RI T. EA ;it afforded a rich repast to the ama teurs who were present. A °grand full concerto of GF.N4 I N 1 , interspersed with beautiful scdoc for the violin, phiyecl by Mr. CRAMER in his finest style, imparted an agreeable variety to the plan of the Concert. Mrs. BII.I.INOTUN gave the recitativo, • " re sacred Priests," accompani,d by the principal violin, and afterwards sung the enchanting air, " Farewell ye Limp d Streams," in a manner incon ceivably impressive—every note spoke to the heart. FORM'S much and justly admired madrigal, " Since . first I saw," by Mrs. BILLINGTON, M.T. HARU soNo Mr.. I*.EATI: v . and Mr. Kakivvvrr, was highly applauded. The sublime chorus of " The Passions,'', from HANuLt.'s Oratorio of Solomon, 'concluded the first act. The second commenced with the introduetion and chorus, '4' Ye J`nns of Israel," . froth the Oratorio of yelhea. This grand composition ; which eminently' displays the energies of its divine author, had ample justice done to it by the skill and ability of the in strumental-performers. The Qu elm° and Chary, " Doan Pace," from Fr.aviu:, one of H..tignet.', Orutorios e wa.s suit with a most cliarniiim effect by Miss T NANT, Miss CROSBIE, Mr. HAItILISONIA Mr. KNYVET :hid Mr. LEATE. HANDLL'% SUI grand Concerto, the delightful canzonet, " Soft Cu p:d,".by ANtLits, and many other pieces, expres sed with the stamp of superior merit, added to the: pleasure of die entertainment. W must further notice the air of Pouo Morir, by its, B. 4. •r. o in which that most favoured daughter of Harmony had full scope to develope the unspeakable powers of her art. This A6t terminated with the Crar.d Hallelujah Chorus from the NIL SS 1 A From the effect of this rehearsal we may form an accurate judgment of what the performance ,e Wcinesday will produce, honoured, as we under stand it . will be,.- by the presence of their Majestiec, and the mcst distinguished s among the hereditary supporters of the Throne. On the evening of the grand performance, Mr- BA RT L EASON Will asseme that si.i.uation in the Con cert, which has been tilled in his absence by Mr:. LEATE. W:e are fully justified in observing that the Band and CHorus ate complete—every part appears to be well filled, and the whole establiF,hrvm7 is every way worthy its liberal andmunificont patrons. Among the comßany who honoured the rehea.- sal, we noticed, asides 'Tor& Cturrrritrirto the. Steward, the Lords Uxottiocr, DaaT'srorrn, WILLIAM r T., and a numerous assemblage of Ladies and Gentlemen of the first fashion. THEATRICAL INTELLIGENCE. I) It UR Y-L ANL. The new Comedy of Hear both Sides, was per to an overflowing audience yesterday evei ing, and received with great applause througou% Mr. Hot.cauer will be in high luck if this piece rows into popularity. It' certainty slims great knowledge amen nd manners in its author, and the possession of considerable literary powers ; but it cannot, by any judges of dramatic composition, be classed in the rank of Comedy. Quilla ouzht Indic putably to be produced in the last scene, as an evi dence to clear the character of Fa rfsx, who IS wrongly employed in delivering a hacknied disserta tion on the circumstances in which Lawyers are placed by their profession, and the acceptation: they are subject to, in the last act of the Play, where the Fele business of the scene should be the unfold ing of denouement. The Performers yesterday evening, as on Satur day, exerted thernselv#,S most strenuously, to give the Play every support that could-result from good acting. Mrs..lokoAN sustains arr improbable cha racter most powerfully. Her vivacity and spirit lend a new life, as it Were, to every scene in which slit appears. Mr. DowTos, it must be confess displays great vigour, and produces adequate ef fact. Young Collins played admirably, and Mr. Cll ER R Y'S last scene of Quillet, was given with a natural feeling, correspondent expression, and cor rect character. Mr. BANNISTER, Mr. C. KEA.- el,E,^ and the. other Comedi.ms, merited the Au thor's thant:s. COVENT GARDES. Tile gentleman who appeared for, the first tillu:a fo . rtlight ago, in the very difficult character of Othello, repeated - o'ot f4;r the th=rd•time, yester day evening, and we are sorry to add, to a very thin audience. This gentleman recites the *dialogue with a degree of correctness that does credit to his admo nitory friend, (who, we understand to be that 1,0 , - nerable veteran of the stage, Mr. Hu i.e) but unfot tunately the v vida vi: an m , and the strong expres sion of glowing feeling which SH AKS e ARE has if fused into the soul of &hello, after the first spark of jealousy has warned his breast and wrought it into a flame, are wanting, in most of his scenes. In truth, Ufa is the most arduous for a novice to ap pear in ; he must display with rage, nature, and energy all the various motions of a mind enraged to madness—a dispiar which none but practised to medians, and those most able ones, can be expected to make. An apology was made for Mr. Cooar's nOt play. ing the character of lazn, on account of indispositiOn. Mr. Mt KRAY came forward as his substitute, and Flayed the character well, excepting the error of ad dressing his soliloquies. directly to the audience; • an error we were surprised to see so good an actor guilty of. Several of the. papers cl yesterday, gave a Ihenf the grand panne'. of the county of Sorry,_ to the 'number of between ihree.and four hundred perions, as the jury, wbo are to try Colonel VESPAka....... •fh Sheriff mew provide a itsrj: jury box. I , i 'I ; $