The Sun.
London, England, 1823-01-15 00:00:00

eate4 for the Philadelphia Gazette, and is said to
be from one of, the most -respectable Houses at
that place

" We are up in arms here about the late expedition against
Puerto Rico which has been fitted out, it appears in the United
Mates, and this furnishes an argument against the many now
in agitation on the subject of piracy; for whilst the United
States have much to complain of as regards the cruelties com-
mitted by people of this place, others who know not all the par-
ticulars are apt to think that piracy has its origin within the
United States ; and that the intentions of the Government and
the people of our country are hostile to this island. I wish
sincerely your Government would deal more severely with the
privateers and other vagabonds that frequent your pOrts.
" We have now nothing to complain of—our Deposit takes
admirably, and I have no doubt of a very active business very
shortly.----Our f,ugars appear to do better in Europe which is
encouraging, and coffee holds its ground—above all, our mea-
sures for suppressing the smuggling business are attended with
the most complete success--a combination of all the mercantile
body is now on foot (a kind of Chamber of Commerce) deter-
mined not only not to permit it ourselves, but to punish others
who may be guilty !"

A letter from a Gentleman at St Bartholo-
mews, to his friend in 13altimore, dated the 30th
October, observes," Commerce is completely at
a stand at this barren rock, and if it were not for
the few privateers that still rendezvous and send
their prizes oIT the port, they would not have the
money to pay the current expences of the Go-
vernment ; and as it is, I expect the next year
they will have to draw on the Mother Country."

Tuu KING,--(Brighton, Jan. 13.)—The re-
ports to-day, upon the state of the KING'S health,
have been of a gratifying character. His
.lESTY'S advances to recovery, though gradual,
appear satisfactory. Castle-square, at times, has
been crowded with carriages, all in them anxious
to make inquiries upon the subject, which alike
interests all ranks and descriptions of his MA,
JEsTy's people. The answer to such inquiries in
the morning was—" His MAJESTY is better;"
and in the evening and to ten o'clock this night,
" His MAJESTY continues to get better." No
Bulletins of health have been published ; but the
acumen of public feeling has been much reduced
by the consolatory replies to all applicants, as
above noticed.

THE LATE Ma. SMITH OF Butty.—The fol.
lowing character of this Gentlemen, who was
long one of the chief ornaments of the stage,
during what may be deemed its best days, was
written by it Baronet, net only well known for
his taste in the fine arts, but for his skill in paint.
jug, and for moral and intellectual qualities, which
excite the respect and esteem of all who have the
pleasure of being acquainted with him. We did
not publish this letter before, because we
wished that " the lenient hand of time" might
soften the grief of those to whose feelings it
immediately related ; but as we presume that
it will now excite a soothing recollection, as
a gratifying tribute to departed worth, as well
as hold forth a fair example to a profession too
much exposed to the allurements of dissipa-
tion, we feel great pleasure in the insertion.
The letter is as follows :---" I had the highest
regard for my good old friend WILLIAM SMITH.
He was a gentleman at heart, and utterly in-
capable of a mean action. Ile had, moreover,
a benevolence of mind, and, if I may so call
it, a richness of nature, which, united to a
frankness and ease peculiar to himself, procured
him friendships at first sight, and the fruits of his
conquest he never lost or abused. I never knew
a man so universally beloved. I scarce ever
heard'any one who knew him who did not speak
of him, not only with approbation, but even with
affection. I miss his correspondence very much ;
he wrote, as you know, with a life and spirit
most uncommon, especially at his years. He had
always something amusing and affectionate to say ;
something which flowed spontaneously from the
kindness of his heart. He found out (I. know
not how) my birth-day, for lam not one of those
who pay any attention to that subject, or even
consider it as a day for rejoicing ;—but he
found it out, and for years past he always
contrived that I should have a letter from him on
that day, containing- some kind wish, expressed
with elegance, ease,' and spirit. I mention this
trivial circumstance merely to spew the general
turn of his disposition towards every thing
kind, polished, and affectionate. The Public
-stolid be gratified by a memoir of our worthy
friend. His professional talents were of so re.
spectable a quality that they ought not to remain
unrecorded."—The preceding character is so
just a tribute to a Gentleman who was highly
admired on the Stage, even in the days of GAR*
RICK, and so deservedly esteemed in a wide
circle of distinguished friends, that it ought to
be rescued from the perishable columns of a
public Journal. Our own acquaintance with Mr.
SMITH fully confirmed all which is said. by the
amiable and accomplished author of the forego-
ing character, and we have the pleasure to pos-
sess many letters from Mr. SMITH, which amply
warrant what is said of the good sense, ease,
animation, elegance, and humour that charac-
terized his epistolary correspondence. As to a
memoir, we know that one was written by him-
self, but was suppressed by the modesty of the
author, and his indifference to the vanity of
posthumous ostentation.

We understand that Prince ESTERHAZY, who
has returned to England in the present instance
'without the Princess, will not remain here much
more than two months. About that period he
goes back to Vienna, and should it be then
deemed expedient by the Austrian Cabinet to
continue his Excellency in the situation he now
bolds at our Court, the Princess will immediately
re-accompany him to London. It is said, how-
Aever, that his future return is extremely doubtful,
although we have not heard any person named as
likely to become his Excellency's successor.--
(Morning Paper.)