The Sun.
London, England, 1822-12-14 00:00:00

(FROM SAME PAPER OF 26TH.)

DREADFUL FIRE.—The buildings on Plantation Catharine
Elizabeth, Essequebo, the property of Gilgueres, were en-
tirely consumed by fire on Wednesday last. The fire broke
out in the Stock-holes, and so rapid was the progress of the de-
structive element, that in a few moments the boiling house, en-
gine, curing, and still-houses, together with the Chyrass Logus,
were in flames, and which it was found impossible to arrest till
the buildings were burnt down to the ground.
(FROM SAME PAPER OF 24TH.)

On Sunday a Carnody snake was killed on Plantation Huis
l'l)ieron, on the west coast of Essequeba, measuring fourteen
feet long, and eleven inches circumference at the natural size
of the stomach ; but, as the stomach was distended, to the en-
ormous size of thiry-one inches. On opening it, it was found
to contain an entire alligator recently swallowed, (decomposi-
tion having scarcely commenced), and measuring six feet long,
by 28 inches circumference. From the appearance of the neck
of the alligator, it is evident that the snake destroyed him by
entwining round that part ; and so severe seemed to be the
constriction, that the eyes of the alligator were actually started
from their sockets.

In our Paper of yesterday we inserted a Re-
port of the interesting Meeting of the Ship-
Owners' Society, at which the Earl of Liven-
POOL, the President of the Society, officiated as
Chairman. We consider that Meeting as having
been both interesting and important, from the
harmony which it proved to be established be-
tween his Majesty's Ministers and the Shipping
Interest of the Country, and from the unequi-
vocal avowal, by the Noble Chairman, of his
unshaken_eonviction that " we owe onr security
to our Navy; and that we owe our • Navy to
that system. of Navigation • Laws under which
our country has so- long acted .with so much
-advantage to her best interests." Our Readers
are aware that THE SUN is one of the very
few Journals which have steadily maintained
the truth of this proposition, or which have
zealously advocated the principles on which it is
founded. During the last Session of Parlia-
ment, in particular, when Government, for a
moment misled by the delusive theories of
the fashionable Political Economists, manifested
a disposition to subvert the maritime and com-
mercial laws to which England is solely in-
debted for her wealth, for her internal gran-
deur, and
.her political power, and when
even the public mind was prepared, by the
same delusive influence, for the quiet aban-
donment of a system of regulations, on the
preservatio❑ of which the national prosperity
absolutely depends, we perseveringly opposed
the dangerous tendency to innovation which de-
veloped itself, supported as it was by the inge-
nious but fallaciOus reasonings of very high
authority, sanctioned by the• Administration, and
in some degree at least favoured if not demanded
by public opinion itself. The adoption of the
most fatal of the measures which were contem_
plated in that period of error was fortunately
suspended ; but we confess that we almost de-
spaired of their final rejection, and looked for-
ward to the ensuing Session of Parliament for
the renewal of a hoPeless struggle, which was
apparently destined to terminate in the aban-
donment of principles, and the subversion of
regulations, essential to the continued prospe-
rity and naval pre-eminence of the British
Empire. We have now again, however, the
unqualified declaration, from the first Mi-
nister of the country, that in his opinion, and
in that of all who have attentively examined this
vital subject, the firmness and security of Eng-
land have been established, and the growth of
her Navy has been effected, by causes which ori-
ginated in and are coeval with her Maritime Laws.
We now have from the same high quarter the
assurance that it is by the promotion and salutary
application of the true principle of those laws, by
a real and careful attention to the actual situation
of the country, and not by the adoption of fanciful
and impracticable theories, that England can
alone look for the permanent security of her
Naval System, for the maintenance of her na-

tional honour, for the enjoyment oilier happines4'
and for the general diffusio❑ of those blessito
which attend well-regulated industry and enter'
prize.—We have now the same avowal, on the
same auspicious occasion, from the President °`
the Board of Trade. We have now also the further
security of the known principles, the spier►di6
talents and powerful influence of Mr. CINNISI
who, though unavoidably absent from themeet4
of the Ship Owners, will doubtless support th°
wise and beneficial views of his Noble Friend
the Earl of LIVERPOOL, and advocate their ador
tiou, with equal energy and success, in Paeliv
meet and in the Cabinet.

One of the Government Steam Packets is de-
tained at Calais to bring over the Duke of WELLINGT°26
who is expected to arrive at Dover to-morrow. The Dashe
Steam Packet arrived there yesterday morning with the gar"
quis of SLIGO and Lord ORFORD, the latter of whom dined
with his Grace on Sunday at Paris. Rumour states, that the
Duke will be the bearer of dispatches of the greatest importnoee'
relative to the intention of the French Government on the e'fr
fairs of the Peninsula.—(Kentish Gazette, Dec. 13.)

PIRATES.--We have seen a letter from a gel'
tleman at Nassau, (N.P.) dated the 18th ulte/
which states that the merchants of that place
had hired a sloop, which was manned with
a midshipman and twenty-three men from
the British ship Tyne, for the purpose Of
cruizing against the pirates. They fell ill
with a piratical schooner, and felucca; beat off
the former, laid alongside the latter, and captured
her. Those of the crew who were not killed'
jumped overboard, and were drowned. The 110$
on board the sloop was two men killed, and 11
midshipman and seven wounded. Another sloP'
fitted out at the same time, was captured, Oct
the crew narrowly escaped with their Jives.'
(American- Paper.)

It was very currently reported on the Exchange
of Paris on Wednesday afternoon, that a CO:
mercial treaty between Spain and England hit.
actually been concluded, and that it contain
some political guarantees on the part of the latter/
in return for the advantages conferred.
It is reported that Lord Chief Justice
LAI (who has signified his wish to retire) i 9
about to be succeeded by the ATTORNEY4,S;
NERAL, who again will be succeeded by ;if
JOHN COPLEY. Mr. SuAnwEr.r.. is named
the Solicitor-Generalship.—(Morning Chronicie
THE LORD LIEUTENANT'S FIRST PUBLIC Vlsli
TO THE THEATRE ROYALI,—InS EXCeIIeUCY the
Marquis WELLESLEY has been pleased to OW;
mand a play, and signify his intention of el'
in state to the Theatre Royal on Saturday ne/c.s.
(this day). This is the first public visit of 'll
Excellency to the Theatre : and on that t-
count, as well as the Lord Lieutenant's P°l3ll-
lerity, it is supposed that every person of 11.117
fashion, and consideration, in the city and nelgll_
,0
bourhood, will be present. We have reason
believe that this visit may be regarded as a 9°%.
of prelude to a very gay and hospitable
at the Irish Court.—(Dublin Freeman's Jaw-11a'

FASHIONABLE T EMERIT Y.-The following avec;
dote has long been in private circulation, 1:11!/
only appeared recently in print :
" His present Majesty, though happily blending the utrocEst-,
urbanity with a disposition at once social and festive, is std
never to forget the dignity of his rank, or the respect that 1 I
due to it, in the most convivial moments. Before his 315.01
succeeded to the throne, among the persons admitted to
parties at Carlton House was a gentleman, who, though
great rank or fortune, had frequently partaken of the festivi,,tlij
of the Palace and had been honoured with the distinguis?t e.
attention of his Prince. The gentleman, mistaking the-Poi'
nets of the host, for the familiarity of a companion, hA,, „se
imprudence to make a bet with a Nobleman, that he covuus-ricl
greater freedom with the Prince than any other pers? -the'
that he would even ask his Royal Highness to ring the Do","be
next time he visited Carlton House. It was not, long tret°`"to,
had an invitation ' • and when-the bottle had circulated 19,
freer, he ventured to decide his wager, by saying famii,"'itief
4°ales, ring the bell." His Royal Highness, without•
at all disconcerted by a freedom which filled every one Pr" r
with astonishment, rang the bell, and when the servoqba
peared, mildly said, " Show Mr. B-- to his carriage." its•
gentleman felt the keenness of the Royal rebuke, won nr'f
ger, but never entered Carlton House, or the presence 0
Prince, afterwards." ere
LAcE.—A correspondent informs us, that t!lrit
is now making in this town, a machine for the imPr°vevirtlic
,of lace, not by gess, as it is at present practiced, but the
strength of acids, which will take off the hurl, and rn5",,.,)
lace clearer than if it had been gassed.—(Nottingham pap i 5
GAY, the author of the Beggars' Opera, inc.
et,
younger years was an acquaintance of Sir God'r
Kneller. He wrote a copy of verses, which
ea.
addressed to the Knight, and it which he posko,
panegyric as far as it well could go ; so far/.145.
deed, that the author was afraid lest Sir Godfrela-
modesty should be offended. However, in tt:
he was mistaken ; he swallowed the honey °tot
much pleasure and delight. He told Gal t j.
n
his poem was very tine, very tine, indeed/ 4r,,,
very true, but you have forgotten one thig, ry
Gay, you have taken no notice of my mail :0
genius.' Sir,' said Gay, I never knew 10a
had any pretensions of that kind.' MY g° of
friend, by G--d I should have been a generale
an army ; for when I was at Venice, all ,er,
place of St. I\iark was in a smoke of gunpo"
and I did like the smell of it, Mr. Guy. I shcdi
have heen a general, Mr. Gay.' oVect
Thursday night '2 5 male convicts were rev, to
from Newgate, in a caravan strongly guardeu7.
Se

Portsmouth, in order to be ernbari:ed, for' Ile.
South Wales, their place of destination for rice
On their quitting the prison they gale t.ll

loud cheeers. e foS
It was said the other day that Bist-}!s fame of
selling Capitals had extended over most par„ f
the Globe; to which a by-stander rePlieu9he
should not be surprised if Next Tuesday r,
could cover the Globe itself with his good d' ea,
tune.On explanation, we found! this ti,,,11u
to the 91 Capitals now in the Lottery "liciesf,
40 or 50 of which must betdrawn next Tues.l" 13
and it is well known Bisx's Office Corn
h
next door to the Globe Insurance ComPaui.