The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-12 00:00:00

MRS. IVILMOT, " ON CUMBERLAND."

[From the OM rier.l
A strangely written pamphlet, called A Memoir of John 7'hos.
Serm—the gentleman who was husband to the fat lady that lived
at the stocking-shop at the corner of Fleet-market, and called her-
self " Princess of Cumberland"—has just been published. Poor
Mr.Serres, who in his latter days was a scene-painter, seems to
have had a touch of eccentricity as well as his spouse: tor, just be.
fore he died ( which was some three months ago), he thought it ne-
emery to publish a very long solemn will, " disinheriting" his
wife and daughter; although he must have been aware that the
mulcted parties would escape this fulmination. from the circum.
stance of his whole earthly possessions not being sufficient to pay
the fees upon proving the document. The lady " Olive" is de-
scribed as the daughter of a house-painter in Warwickshire, and as
a wotnan uniformly of the most mad as well as abandoned chit-
racier ; but no light is thrown upon the circumstances which first
suggested the idea of her becoming a Princess. The only laugh.
able matter in the book is the following letter, addressed, or said
to have been addressed, by her " Highness" to Mr. Sheriff Par-
kins. It was found, according to the biographer, among Mr.
Serves' papers after his decease ; and is supposed—miaow:to lade
fides—to hays come there by being returned by the Sheriff himself !
" My dear feel that I am outstepping the usual
bounds of female delicacy by thus opening my heart to a stranger;
for such I am to you , although your personal qualifications and
superior mind presents your beloved image cons antly to my
enamoured senses. It is in vain, Sheriff, that I endeavour to surmount
the affections I bear to you ; thus I throw myself on your honour,
and feelings as a gentleman and a man of honour, convinced
such a heart as yours will always hold sacred the confidence of a
lady. Sheriff! how shall I tell you that I find it impossible to live
any longer without you ? Virtue has hitherto been my chief observ-
ance, and I respect its precepts—but love, constant as the return of
day, triumphs over me. Sheriff, meet me on Saturday, at the Gros.
senor-gate, Park-lane. If you are inclined to profit by these semi-
ments, no obstacles shall prevent our mutual happiness; but be
delicate, and spare me in the first and second Interview. Be mine,
Sheriff, and the world will no longer interest a thought.
" Be exactly at three o'clock in Park-lane, and I will meet you.
M y parasol is blue, with a white edge; that will direct your atten-
tion. Commit this to the flames the moment you receive it, and
recollect, dear Sheriff, my honour, my happiness, and all my hopes
are in your possession.
" P.S. Ride to-morrow morning slowly round Bedford-squsre.
and I shall know that this letter has reached you safe, which will
occasion no further 'rouble until we meet on Saturday.
" Thursday evening, iledford.square."

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET SECOND SPRING MEETING.

NEVINAREET, WIRDNISO•T MORT.
The sport to-day was confined to three races, but such was their great
excellence, that few regretted they were less numerous.
The Heath was attended by most of the noblemen and gentlemen whose
names we have before mentioned, and was honoured by the presence of
his Royal Highness the Duke of York, who, we are happy to add, appeared
to be in the best health and spirits. in the evening, his Royal High-
ness honoured Mr. Douglas with his company to dinner, at his apartments
In the King's Palace, where also Mr. Douglas entertained Sir John Shel.
ley, Col. Udny, and Mr. Wortley.
The Jockey Club dinner was attended by Lord Jersey, Lord Anson, the
Duke of Grafton, Colonel Aubrey, Messrs. Scott, Goddard, Ftamsbottom,
Gioborne, Payne, Newton, Hunter, and other members. After dinner his
Royal Highness, accompanied by Mr. Douglas and his party, visited the
rooms.

The day's running will be found correct as under
Blatt h, lob. T.Y.C. Pigmy cud Nureddin.
Betting 6t04 on Duke of Grafton's Pigmy. This was a short-run race.
Lord Anson's Nuredditt went off with the lead at a strong pace, till within
• short distance of home, when Pigmy came up, and both let loose ; a des-
perate slashing struggle followed, and so closely was It run, that the
Judge decided it to be a dead heat. Young Buckle rude Pigmy, and Ar.
uull N ureddl a.

Match—Reformer and Enamel. 200, D.M.
Betting- 11 to 10 on Enamel.
The excellence of this race almost defies description : the most lively
Interest was excited on It, and many thousands were depending. Enamel,
at starting, came away, and made tremendous running, very closely waited
upon by Reformer, till they were at the end of the two-year old course r
the latter, then mending his pace, made ground with unusual rapidity,
and got up to Enamel's head. Here the work became very . . Head
and head they 'tuck to each other, at the top of their speed, tilt within a
length or two of home, when Reformer contrived to get bin neck In front.
Handicap Plate of 50/. by subscription, being the third of three 301. Platt,
for 3yr olds and upwards. A.F.
Duke of Grafton's Cramer, 4 yrs, Bit. ittr
Lord G. Cavendish's Ganymede, 6 yrs. 6st. 91h.... ...... ........ 2
Mr. Rogerv's p. c. Turban, 3 yrs, 6.t. 61h.... ..........
Betting-11 to 10 on Ganymede, 7to 4 alit Cramer, and fit 4, 1 apt
Turban.

Hisalio was a Sae race, and created a great deal of anxiety.
---wtillaw.—_
TATTERSALL% To , MAY 11.

The betting this afternoon was confined to the three first favourites
and a few of the outsider. for the Derby. and the match for 1,000 sort. to
be decided at York on Monday next, between Dauntless and Cleveland,
the latter receiving 7th. It turns out that Dauntless Is a roarer, and a.
it notorious that "the ould horse" Is a confirmed one, a curious race
may be expected.
We have heard it rumoured that Bo. Peep will not start for the Oaks ;
but (or the truth of the report we cannot vouch. We are inclined, how-
ear, to doubt It, as, during Chester Races, the West-country sportsmen
took 9 to 1 about her.

TOR[ II %TOL
Rto 4on Dauntless apt Cleveland, not p.p. (taken)
140 to lOU ou Dauntless, p.p. (taken)

dame.
4to 1 art Cleveland and Problem (taken)

18 to 1 apt Minna*
to 1 *get Truth
35 to I apt Twatty
40 to 1 ag4t Centaur
40 to I agst Pluto
N to I &gat Apthas

9 to 2 apt Panic
bi to 1 agst The Moslem !taken)
7 to 1 apt The General
II to 1 apt Dervlse
12 to 1 apt Rosh
lb to I apt Monarch
14 to 1 apt Shakspeaza

ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF inc DRURY-LANE THEA-
TRICAL FUND.—it is moat respectfully announced that the ninth
Anniversary Dinner in aid of this institution will take place at the
Freemasons' Tavern to-morrow. President, his Royal Hichnesa the
Duke of York ; Vice-Presidents, his Royal Highness the Duke of
Sussex, &c. The musical department under the direction of Mr.
T. Cooke. The Hall will be opened at five o'clock, and dinner on
table on the arrival of his Royal Highness the Duke of York.
Tickets, including wine, one goblet each, to be had of the Stewards,
at the Freemasons' Tavern, and of the Secretary, Fund Office,
Theatre Royal Drury.lane, John Hughes, Secretary.
On Thursday last a deputation of gentlemen from the
town of Sheffield, consisting of Henry Moorehouse, Egg., the
Master of the Cutlers Company, and William Sansom, the Senior
Warden, attended by William Parker, Esq., were introduced by
Lord Milton and Stuart Wortley, Esq. M.P., to his Royal
Highness the Duke of York, and preytoted, on behalf of the Coe.
poration, a splendid assortment of specimens of cutlery and Shef-
field ware, enclosed in an elegantly carted box of heart of oak,
emblazoned with the arms of the town and various emblematical
devices. His Royal Highness received the Deputation with his
usual condescension, and expressed himself highly gratified with
the present, when he was reminded by Lord Milton that Sheffield
work stands unrivalled in Europe or the world. The specimens
are certainly proofs that they need only to be seen to be duly appre-
ciated, and that the manufacturers of Sheffield have no occasion to
be under any alarm that the London sutlers will long deprive them
of their fair share of business, and that the quackery of marking
" London," on their knives will be tem avail, wham they are
fairly brought into competition.
More than 150 i. has already been subscribed .in Rich-
mond, Yorkshire, for the distressed working manufactu-
rers in Lancashire, and other parts of this kingdom.