The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-09-02 00:00:00

tHE 13R1775H

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.
Sta—ln these times of political disquisition. a
Lady has no cause to blush at being seen in a De.
bating Society ; but acknowledge it was not an
anxiety to develope my country's wrongs, it was a
wish to hear established my own rights, that urged
grie to mingle in the crowd who filled the Jiritish
Foram on the evening of Thursday, the 21st of last
month. A question had been proposed for debate,
0 Whether is Woman created equal or inferior to
Man r and a very natural curiosity inclosed me to
become a listens. Seats bring plentiful when my
party arrived, we Ladies easily found accommoda-
tion, and I soon became attentive to all I heard, and
all I SAW.
The first Orator who entered on the subjeft,
Assured us that it was " A question, a question that
involved much argument—in which much argu-
ment would that night be brought forward. A
qnestion impottant in itself, interesting in its ter-
mination—A question which the ladies around him
would hear, and the gentlemen 'around him would
answer.—ln short, it was—a question." And con-
cluded with much admiring the women, and broadly
hinting that he thought it better to be a man.
.1-ne second took up our cause with zeal, with elo-
quence. with good sense, with some learning, and
much sincerity ; fur it was easy to discover that he
was in love. " Ile remembered that he owed to
his mother not only the care of his health, but the
forming of his morals. He argu .d not for bodily
strength ; but he asserted, that the great proof of
mental strength is the subjugation of the passions;
the endurance of mental and bodily sufferings, the
exertion of patience, and the power of beauty. In
all of which, women were superior to men." lam
sure he felt what he said, and it was so much to the
point, that the opposition began to grow uneasy. As
to us women, we liked him wonderfully ; besides, lie
had the advantage of looking like a gentleman.
The man who opposed him, believing himself a
wit, very naturally concluded that all who surround-
ed him were of the same opinion, and spoke his
speech accoiamgly• 't He assented to the power of
the ladies' charms; but hoped that no fatther con-
cession would be demanded of him. He admitted
that Et zabeth was a great Queen ; but she had
shone witn the light or her Ministers, not her own ;
and that circumstances being always in her favour,.
she bad nothing to do but put them to use. 'Twas
true, she went in person against the Spanish
Armada; but he could by no means admit that,
for that reason, a woman could mak, a good Ad-
miral. That the study of Bet on. and Bern (I sup-
pose he meant eating and cooking) was intended for
the men; and advised the women to make themselves
lovely without, while their husbands enriched them-
selves within."
The next in procession avowed that so mach had
been said on his side the question, and so lit le urged
in refutation, that he was at a lou what to add;
yet be talked a great deal ; but. at this distance of
time, Ido not recoil:Cl of what. One Ohl I know
he asserted, which I thought not well judged ; lie
gave anatomical proofs that in muscular strength
worm. was sup,rtor to ma,i.
the reply to this was very able, but to repeat it,
and be brief, is impossible. The Speaker aentated.
that " there had been certain learned ladies, anti
certain strong ladies, but not so learned or so strong
as certain men. That no ladies had written on lo-
gic, or on algebra, hut they had confined them
selves to frivolous subjeas, which they treated in a
frivolous manner. That Mrs. Wollstonecraft alone
seemed endued with mind enough to soar above the
weakness or the prejudice of her sex, but an ex-
ception could not overthrow an ripii,ion founded on
the very creation of Wyman. That her entrance
into life stamped the indelible mark of inferiority ;
and that however daring had been the infringements
on the rights of man, he had determined never to
ascetic to the power of woman." I did not know
the Speaker, hut I am a tolerable physiognomist,
and on looking in t.is lace, I perceived he told truth.
He was wonderfully applauded, and what appeared
to me ve.y remarkable was. that those men who
were roost diminutive in site were most vociferous in
their approbation. I also observed, that their wives
were not beside them.
‘Nhether this last orator could be answered, or
was unanswerable, I know not, for the clamour of
voices arose in peals to the towering dame; and
whet: an hundred people speak together, it is dif-
ficult, be they ever so loud, to distinguish which is
which, er to conned the effusions of their reason-
ing ; and being told that the decision could not
finally be settkd till the week following, I resolved
to preserve the faculty of hearing for that occasion,
and therefore lett the assembly.
On the following Thursday I accnrding:y re-
paired to the scene of strife; hut some circumstances
prevented my early attendance, stud I had reason to
regret it. The seati had been previously occupied
by the men, why, from various causes, were will-
ing to keep them. Peradventure, they had been
walking all day. or sutnding at their vocation, or
having passed the morning in an attitude resem-
bling that of the Einp....ror of China, experienced a
relief in keeping their legs Pendant. De that as it
MAT, they were immoveable; And seeing no remedy,
'I gee tip the point and listened.
Cut I WAS disappoin'ed of edification to my un-
derstanding. or satisfanion to n.y cause. The speak-
s no longer contended for their su;teriotity over us,
' or for our equality with them. They waged war for
themselves, individually. Otte who believed he bad
some truth on his side, admitted that his opponent
had logic; and the logician expressed his regret that
he could not .retui❑ the compliment. In a word,
after much talking at, and talking to. and cutting
at, and cutting up ; after much spleen, and no seve-
lily. the question was definitively put, arid a chew of
sticks, and a show of hands, was enfo cod by a tor-
rent of noisy accisonatienw. The death-warrant of
female consequence was assented to ; and, sinking
vitt.l contusion at the- mighty multitude, who, by
Ina.n sistregtb at :urge. had condemned my Fox to
the degi-ding level of beings, only useful at:c.' orna-
mental,- I iprepcsed to ray companion a hasty derar-
tut,, lest, in dese-nding the stairs, the 1..-.1.1s of the
Creation, in their tr4trrtph, aright firij,et their hu-
manity. and overwhelm me by their uumhas, as
they ,had alietedy.overwhelined me by their noise.
Lniat`e Lovect. sc iz.

--.~-

*ROITOI .110Ek.

The hospitalities of this place, ifs honour of the
Prince of WALES and his ROYAL RItOTIIER, have
been worthy the spirit and taste of the Noble Ownttr.
The Earl of Gut toroao had a seled party to meet
his Royal Guests, and each day has been marked by
the most pleasurable variety. On Friday nght last,
the Noble Earl hued up a temporary theatre in the
great drawing.ronm. for a theatti:•al exhibition, and
that every thing might be in form, he sent forth the
following :
By Command of His Royal Hil;line,s the Prince's( WALES.
THEATRC ROYAL, WROXTON ABBEY.
On Friday 'timing, the 29th of Aug. 141,16. *ill be presented,
XTRACTS
From the Historical Traged• •f
KING RICHARD THE THIRD.

--- e

King Henry . . Mr. Heathcote.
Duke of C;l•inceAer . Mr Harry St. Leger.
Doke of Norfolk . Mr. North.
C.it-,•by . • . Mr. Homey.
I.i.Lut,aant of the Tower Mr. C Burney.
Dr;,:er . . . Mr. Ker.*le
(B-ing positively his last appearance this Sea:on.)
And Richmond . • Mr. R. Ili:attic:Au.
The Lady Anne . . Miss 'Harriet St. Leger.
Mou,ners and Attendants, by the Earl of Godn...d, the Lion,
F. North, Messrs. Watford, Gummi, and Spring
The Scenery and Darinatrons painted arid deigned by Messrs.
Homey and Watford.
The Dresses executed by the Hon. Mrs. St. Leget, and Mrs.
Kemble.
Previously ur tine Play.
AN OCCASIONAL ADbRF.SS
Will he spoken by Mies Hairiet St Leger.
Sub•equently to the Tragedy (by Coininalid)„
COLLINS'S ODE ON THE P \SSIJNS.
Will be recited by Miss Harrier St. Lager.
The DOW,: wilt be niwired at Half-past Ergs' o'Clnek' ant
the PLi begot orect.ely at Nine. Vivant Rex at Sricsna
The Representation consisted, as thp play hill an- '
notion es, of Exttaels only ; and the whole was un-
der the direction of Mr. Kelapif E. The powers of
declamation displayed tit-Wafer Sassy Sr. LLBIZII,
aged ~ yen years, and Mass Sr. LEGER, aged ten,
were mist wonderful, and drew from their Royal
Highnesses the most rapturous plaudits. The Ad-
dress scat written by the ty'arl of Guitrrien; and
the whole went riff with great eclat. The Noble
Earl ha• I invited'all the people of distinEtion in the
neighhotohood. •1 he freedom of the B 'rough of
Banbury was presented to their Royal Highness'
by the Mayor, iii a suitable address, and most gra-
ciously received.
As it nnw seems certain that the Prince of
WALES, in lvs Northern tour, intends visiting Don-
caster during the ensuing races ; it is said, that
from the vicinsy of Pontetrae to that place, and
from the races happening only 'the wi eh bet, se
the Doncaster Meeting, His Royal Highness will
also honour PontefraA Races with his pre-ence ;
and that he intends taking the delightful tesi.tence
lately occupied by Colonel R•MSDIP, for a shooting
6°T.'"heit Royal Highnesses the Prince of WALES
had the Duke of C AAAAA CB. intend visiting the
:Earl arid Comie ss of Dtapv, at Knowsley, Lan-
cashire ; the Earl of CA 41.istit, at Castle Hofirari,
Yorkshire ; the Earl of Ds it stSGTON. at Ratty Ca.-
de. Durham ; and the Earl of Mot s, at C.awdon-
' " Yorkshire.

_ ---
,L• RUNE BONAPARTE.

While the English Cast 4.ns were on board the
Teleran, they learnt 01e iollowing particulars :
Admiral Guithaumex and Jerome could not
agree, it se-ms. respefting the destination of the
squadron Jerome was for returning to France,
while the Ad-niral persisted in staying at sea some
time longer, in the hope of doing something town-
sure a welnme on his return : (or. pet ha ps, i as
He" to so d Jerome's ship home singly, to give
him A brier chance of escaping.) It also appears,
that they expefted an English squadron after t' em,
but Brother Jerome most magnanimously re-ntvesi
not to wait for them. During a chase, he sontriv.
ed to lag astern, and when the rest of the squ tdron
were a I .ng way ahead, and, as he supp,i,e.4,
not observe his movements, he bore up tot Euro p..,
aid 14t them to shift for themselves. It was re-
pone i among the OtAcers of the Veteran, th 4. Je-
rome, on his arrival in France, is to be dis abed
King of S(1, de.da. He is described as a mot rff
mt-
nate little animal. but assumes, AS much as possihle,
to appear like a man. He wears mustachios
on his lip, and allows his beard to grow un•
der his chia. In his dress, he is mint su-
perb ; gold lace all over. His g titert trimm, d
and laced with gold, his pantaloons edged and
figured with gold, &t. &c His royal lips are not
permitted to torch any thing brit gild, insomuch,
that he has a speaking•trumpet of that metal, with
which " he bellows for.h his harsh commands" to
his Officers. The Vetere:a mounts 8 t guns. of large
calibre, and isjj fine ship ; 800 men compose her
crew, but theylire in a wretched state of ch,cipline.
It is said that Jerome (who, by the bye, is never ad.
dressed by any other title on board but " Prince,")
expressed a determination of rather shooting him-
self, or blowing up his ship, than be taken by the
English.
- -

The present State Lottery Scheme is particularly
inviting to those who usually adventure for a Capi-
tal prize. There being only 20.000 Tickets, instead
of '35,000, makes the chance of gaining the Great
Prizes more certain than heretolore. Begins Draw-
ing 13th Onober,
A very interesting game at Cricket began playing
on Wednesday last. at Stoke Damerum, near Al-
rcsford, between Hampshire, with three given men.
against all England. for 1000 guineas. On the two
first days, Hampshire gained 1.50 notches, with se•
yen wickets down ; and ail England 37 notches,
with seven wickets down. Bets were then five to one
in favour of Hampshire. It is expeeted to finish this
day. Lori F. BEACCLLRK was bowled our by
La maul', without getting a notch. been* at,
SMALL, and Fe tea asurez,for Hampshire, obtained
most of the notches,
Viuing a thunder-storm, on Wednesday se'n'tightr
the lightning struck four pit-men; who had taken
shelter in a new building at ,St. Helm's, Lanca-
shire, the windows of which were not glazed. One
of them, who had just stepped forward ect look at
the appearance of the sky, was killed on the spot,
and two of them were so debilitated, that they were
obliged to be 'put to bed. The watch and chain,
1 belonging to the poor fellow who was killed, were
completely melted.

• POLICE,

lolv-stlistr•
On Sunday se'nnight, a female servart of Mr.
Jaggers, of the Hand and Racket, is Whitcrimh-
street, very unexpeae•lly left her place. In a short
time after she was gone, Mrs. daggers disenvered
that she had been r•-dthed of cash, and several at ticles
of plate and weeping apparel. Little doubt was en-
tertained of the servant being the robber. Applica-
tion was made to Donaldson, a constable, to appre-
hend her : the officer having learned been her con-
neainn in St. Giles's that she was gone to Bri-tal,
pursued her thither, and discovered that she had
taken her passage in a vessel hound for Ireland, her
native place. At a late hoer on Saturday night Do-
naldson arrived in town with heti she underwent a
short private examination before Inc.. Ga A II A NI, who
committed her for further examination.
Yesterday, a man and his wife, of the name of
Dowling, were brought before Mr. Get Seam, charg-
ed with forging several sailors' and soldiers' wills
and powers of attorney.
The Officers stated, that in consequence of direc-
tions front the Solicitor to the Admiralty, they ap-
prehended the Prisoners in the neighbourhood of the
King's Bench Prison, and on searching the house,
they found a great variety of papers and letters,
which they produced; they proved that the Prisoners
have been carrying on this species of fraud and
forgery for a considerable time past, to a great extent.
They found a number of forged certificates of births,
marriages, deaths, and wills, both for sailors and std.
diers. They in general effected their purposes by
.answering advertisements inieirted in the public pa-
pers, for the nearest of kin of certain persons to
make application as directed, and they would hear
of something to their advantage, &c. They oc-
cupied another house in Pratt•street. Lambeth,
which eheroccasionally used for the purpose of car-
rying on their depredations.
They were committed for further examiniiirm.
at tastes- it oust.
Yesterday, Illizabeil B-oaring, a woman who
had lived as servant with Mr. George Smith, a re-
' speathle tradesman, in Grub-street, was brought
before the Lord Mayor, charged with stealing a
silver watch and other articles his property.
It app-fired that this woman had been taken up
en suspicion some time 6 telt, and on a promise of
pardon being made to her, she acknowledged that
she robbed her master of a few trifling articles,
but positively denied having taken the watch. Sa-
turday last was appointed for a farther examination;
but Mr. Smith not.appearing when the woman was
brought up, she was discharged by Alderman
Hankey, who then presided for the Lard Mayor.
The Prisoner said nothing in her defence, and
the Lord Mayor fully committed her for trial.
A man, named Pringle., who was well known to
the Officers, as a man of bad charaaer, was neat
brought to the bar, charged by Isaac Montague, a
Greenwich Pensioner, with robbing him of his
bundle.
It appeared, that the Prisoner overtook the Cam-
' plainant no his way to Greenwich, on Sunday night,
and having entered into conversation with him,
they went Into as Public-house, and had a pint of
porter; but, when Montague had the pint to his
head, taking the last drink, the Prisoner, unper-
ceived, made off with the poor man's bundle. The
fellow was, however, apprehended on suspicion, at
A short distance from the place, by one of the Offi-
cers, and the poor Pensioner recovered his pro-
perty
The Prisoner was fully committed for trial.
• Nsitt.BOlOUcta•sTßair.
DARING ROSRERY.
On Friday night, as Mr. Ken.l4l, of the Worcester
Coffee-house tap, in Oxford-street, was going to Led,
he discovered that a bureau, containing about 601
which he had deposited for his brewer and distiller,
had been stolen. Early on Saturday morning,.Mr.
Kendal gave information of the robbery at this Of-
fice, and on the Officers of the Police having become
acquainted with certain circumstances relative there-
tn,and also what company was in the house on
Friday night, they went in pursnit of those who
were suspeeted, and in the course of the night,
O'Donna, the bruiser, John Gorr, Sari C.,rir r, and fr.
CllddlfOrd, were apprehended. •On the latter be ng
taken, he was deteCted ringing part of his booty,
(handing it to a compani e), and he requested to
disclose the whole of the circumstances. The Pri-
soners were placed apart after their apprehension,
and an attempt was made to hush up the robbery
in the course of yesterday, but it proved traile‘s.
Cuddilord jobbed as a porter to the stage coaches,
&c. at the Worcester Coffee-Notts, and having
suspeaed that the landlord of the tap kept his money
in a bed room, the access to which is through a
room from the tapeoome which' is in a cellar, he
first proposed the robbery to Gore, who acquiesced.
Cuddiford contrived to get the key of the bed-room
door on the morning of Friday, which he gave to
Gore, who unlocked the door, and gave the key
again to Cudditord to hang it in its place. Gore
having so far undertaken the robbery, informed the
Witness, that O'Dnnnel would do the thin, (commit
the robbery), in the evening. About eight o'clock,
Cudditord and Gore being in the hou-e, O'Donnel
made. his appearance with the Prisoner Carter, and
of er calling for liquor, songs, &c. were introduced,
in order to CorMnit the robber, without suspicion.
The frisk went round, such as putting out the
lights. &e. an..l;at a convenient opportunity, O'Den-
nel .ori Carter went into the middle room, and
O'Donnel waited there whilst Carter committed the
robbery, by forcing open the bureau- They basted
out of the cellar, and were nut perceived or sus-
petted ; Gore followed, and soon afterwards re-
turned, and beckoned to Wines, to leave the house.
He did so, and Gore informed him they had got
401. seven guineas of which were delivered to Cud-
diford as his share, at a public house in St. Martin's-
street.
Certain sums of mane, were found in the posses-
sion of the whole of the Prisoners at the time of their
apprehension, but O'Drinnel had the most.
Mr. Kendal stated, that the sum stolen was about
60i. all in Bank-ntres ; he had put at up to pay
away. The pat! ies were bound over to prosecute,
but the Prisoners were remanded until a future day.
Cudditord, although a Witness. stands also com•
mitted, in order that he might be (web--
when called op,

... • , :, ILAMITNO FIRES.
---......r. •
Yesterday moreing, between the hours of five .
and six o'clock, a mest tremendous fire suddenly
broke nut in the extensive Dirillery and Ware-
hmises belonging to Messrs. Smith and Cook, ..t
Millhank, near Chelsea Gerdens. In i fehe mintues
after the accident was first disc ...feriae the whole of
the immense Warehouse and Dirillere on the hanks
of the river, was in one great conflagration, 14
the flames rose with such ftt•y. as to melt the lea-
den gutter of Mr. Cook's Dwelling house, which is
a seperate building, near one honlred yards Iron
the Warehouses. By the jedierous and. alive ma-
nagement of the firemen, who kept that side of the
house coil by constantly playing upoi it, this part
of the premises were saved from, the deetruelive
element. In less than three hours, the whole of the
Warehouses, dee. on the banks of the river, were
enveloped in total ruin. The roof fell in with a
tremendous crash, overwhelming the steam engine.
distillery, corn, leer, and every other article in-
side, in one general ruin, leaving only a
part of the bare walls standing, and even those in
such a state, that it would he dangerous to approach
them. These warehouses and distillery communicated
with another set of buildings, in the rear, Of much
greater extent,) by a sort of wooden bridge, or gal-
lery, built between the upper lofts, and the latter
buildings must also have fallen a viaim to the
flames, which were fast gaining on them, and had
seized one end of the bridge, bat for the extraordi.
nary exertions of two or three men belonging to the
British Fire-Office, who cut away the eoll2lllll6iCa.,
tion at the hazerd of their lives. At one period,
great apprehensions were entertained for the safety
of the dwelling-house, and a large quantity of fur.
niture was removed to a place of safety. The .
greatest anxiety was felt on account of Mrs. Cooke,
who was far advanced in a state of pregnancy ;
11.*e evinced great fertirude and presence of mind.
The flames raged for near two hours with incredible
fury, before any sort of assistance email be procured.
in conecpteilce of all the fire engines being engaged
at the fire in the City. One small engine. how-
ever, arrived from Chelsea, but the only use
could be made of it was, to keep the side of the
dwelling house cool. The difficulty of procuring
water, the river being then low, was another cease
why the tame s could not be got under Wore •
they had extended. to so alarming a degree. Two
barges in the dock, laden with turpentine and coals,
also caught fire, and were totally destroyed.
This dreadful accident is attributed to the fridioa se
of the machinery belonging to the steam-engine. *
We understand some apprehensions of denser
'were entertained in the course of Sunday evening.
as an unusual degree of heat was felt on the pmeni.
scs, but nothing so great as to expea this cata-
strophe.
The steam-engine, which was totally destroyed.
was one of the most complete in the kingdom, being
capable of working eight pair of stones at a time,
and was estimated at live thousand pounds value.--
Several thousands of sacks of malt, corn, Soar, ate.
were also destroyed ; but the store-house. contain•
ing the great vats, and a quantity of spirits, was for-
tunately saved. The loss, altogether. is estimated
at several thousand pounds ; but we understand
the whole of the premises were insured to a large
amount. Mr. W. Smith, M. P. is one of the part-
ners in the concern. This range of buildings was
not many years ereded, end was considered the
most extensive and complete in the kingdou.
Detachments of the Queen's Royal, and the St.
Margaret's and St. John's Volenuters, lent their
assistance at an early hour, and, by their exertions,
prevented much pillage, which would otherwise
have ensued.
About twelve o'clock at noon, the great 'bat,
belonging to the Sun Fire-office, arrived opposite the
premises, but, at that time, all fears of further dan-
ger had subsided.
We stated, yesterday, that, on Sunday night, be-
tween eight and nine o'clock, an alarming Gee broke
out in Houndeditch. It was in the house of Mr.
Benj imin Harris, a Jew tailor, in Bevis Marks.
opposite Castle-street, and was occasioned. we
understand. by the negligence of a servant. who
left a candle lighting in one cf the moms in the
upper part of the house. About nine o'clock the
Barnes burst forth through the upper windows, and
the neighbourhood being alarmed. assistance was
instantly procured. However, when the engines
arrived not a drop of water could be had, and it w. s
not until an hour and a half after. that they began
to play. In consequence of this delay, the fire com-
municated to the next house belonging to Mr. Bran-
don, a merchant, nor could it be extinguished, un-
til both were almost intirely consumed. ('he party
wall fell in between eleven and twelve o'clock, and
the whole is now a heap of ruins. We are happy to
state that no life has been lost, and also that some of
the property has been saved.
The houses were old, and the timber burned with
so much fury that the whole neighbourhood was
terrified ; every person who lived near the spot was
busily employed in moving their furniture into
places of safety. By this means a quantity of pro-
perty wouIC certainly have been lost to the owners,
was it not for the timely arrival of the city volute
leers, who immediately on the alarm, made a nurde-
rous muster, and marched to the place. -By their
exertions, the property of many was secured from
plunderers. and the firemen were enabled to attend
to their duty with greater effed.
ineseeraenmememe
Yesterday morning, a tall thin decent dressed
woman, of about thirty years of age, with a fine
child in her arms of abort four years old. threw
herself into the butte in the Green Park, with intent
to drown herself and child ; however. both were
saved and taken to St. George's Hospital. This
person proves to be a Mrs. 11---, the wife of a
respeLtable and industrious green-grocer, in the
neighbourhood of Manchester-square. She bad
been, for. these three weeks past, ,in a de.ponding
state. At seven o'clock yesterday emote ing she toot
a weak with her li iebend. and re urned to breakfast
when taking the child out with her. she made the
above rash attempt. It was three hours after brio;
taken out of the water, betore the child was suSi
cienely recovered to sell who he was, or where bi
unfortunate mother reodei, Isms was last night i•
a very weak stare ; tLey both remaine‘ at St
George's liusp4 al, where every possible care ha
been taken of them.