The Sun.
London, England, 1833-06-15 00:00:00

MADRID, JUNE 3.

The preparations for the festival and the ceremonies
which are to take place here on the 20th of this month
for the oath taking by the Cortes are continued with
great activity. The troops intended to be employed in
the mock battle (el simulacra) which is to be exhibited
are daily exercised in the environs of Madrid. All the
houses, churches, fountains, and public buildings of every
kind near which the different processions must psi are
receiving repairs and embellishments. The streets are
being repaved, and the capital will have almost everywhere
a new face.

In conformity with ancient custom, the King has
already made an order fur the removal of himself and
family, on the evening of the 19th, to the lodge of
San Juan, in the I3uen Retiro, whence he will, on
the following day proceed in great pomp to the church
of San Geronitno, where the oath to the Princess of
the Asturias is to he taken. On the conclusion of the
solemnity, his Majes,y will go back to the lodge of Sin
Juan to dine, and will return to his palace in the evening,
after promenading with all the Royal Family in the
Prado. His Majesty has not yet fixed the day on which,
according to the traditional customs of the monarchy, he
is to make what is called "the public entry." On that
day he will go to see the illuminations in the Plaza Mayor,
and will return thanks to the Most High in the Church
of Santa Maria. But though the day for this ceremony
is not yet announcad, the Corregidor has already named
all the streets through which the procession will pass, in
order that the inhabitants may have time to prepare the
tapestries with which the fronts of the houses must be
adorned, and the lamps necessary for illuminating them.
The intention of removing to Aranjuez is abandoned by
the Court, and it appears that the King has done well in
following the advice of his physicians, who recommended
that he should not this year pay his usual visit to that
palace. His health, which appeared still very uncertain
about a month ago, now improves daily. He can go up
and down the stairs of his palace without any assistance.
On the 30th, San Fernando's day, be looked well, and to-
day, at the bullfight, to which he came in company with
the Queen, his appearance was still better.
Two ordinances which have just been published have
met general approbation. One has for its object the for-
mation of new roads, which will facilitate the communi-
cations of Arragon, Navarre, and Catalonia with each
other. These roads will be of immense advantage to agri-
culture and internal commerce. The other ordinance is
still more popular, though, in reality, less important. It
lowers the price of tobacco far smoking one fourth. This
is a benefit for which every one in Spain is grateful.
MM. Werther and Appony leave Madrid this evening,
to return to Paris. More importance has been attached
to their names and persons than their mission warranted.
They came here rather as couriers than diplomatists, and
were not instructed to treat of themselves about any affair
of consequence. There is reason to believe, however,
that the despatches which they broaght, and those which
they carry back to 111. Pozzo di Borg°, do not relate
merely to the interior affairs of the Peninsula, but have
principally for their object to establish the basis of a
more strict alliance between Spain and the northern
Courts, in the case of the Turkish question leading to a
European war, which many well-informed persons persist
in regarding as very probable. Y.

NEW WORK BY HORACE WALPOLE.--
SKETCHES OF THE COURT OF ENGLAND (Unpublished).
" Few writers have afforded the world more entertainment
than HORACE WALPOLE ; 80 touch, indeed, that we
might well imagine the mine, however rich, to have been
exhausted. How delightfully we are disappointed ! The
present work, for an abundance of wit, of anecdote, of
historical and political information, and of every thing
which can render a publication of its kind equally valuable
and lively, is, we bad almost said, superior to any even
of WALPOLE'S preceding volumes. The period com-
prised is from the year 1741 to the death of George 11.,
a period of deep interest, over all the events of which
this correspondence throws a light illuminating the most
important affairs, intrigues, and changes; and shedding
the brilliancy of humour and satire upon the lesser matters,
connected with personal adventure, the court, the man-
ners of the times, and the thousand trifles which, when
touched by so masterly a hand, reflect the very form and
pressure of the age."—Literary Gazette.
DISTRESSING FIRE-FIFTY-EIGHT HOUSES
DESTROFEDEXETERy JUNE 12.—Our good city was
thrown into the utmost consternation this morning by a
report, which reached about half-past nine, that the neat
and romantic little fishing town of Lympstone was nearly
all destroyed by fire ; 100 houses were then burning was
the general cry. The town is directly opposite the lord-
ling and lordless domain of Powderham, whose castles'
turrets rise proudly out of the bosom of a magnificent
wood, and commanding a sweeping view of its humbler
neighbour. It is situated in a small bay of the Exe, net
far from its embouchure, about 500 yards in length. The
whole line of houses which occupied it were now one row
of smoking and unsightly ruins Furniture was scat-
tered about the beach, guarded by children and old
women; whilst those who could command the greater se-
curity of boats were comparatively happy in beiog a' le
to stow their little of the world's gear which remained
them in the skiffs that were afloat, and many of these were
completely laden. The appearance of the furniture proved
the rapidity of the fire, as much was shattered and broken.
Having surveyed the remains of Om town, I went up to
the church, where I understood there was a meeting of a
gentry of the
few of the principal parish. The number
of houses destroyed was stated at this meeting to be 55,
and three others rendered tenantless. The number of
persons deprived of homes are 248, and 96 of these totally
destitute. The loss leas fallen almost exclusively on fisher-
men. The fire originated in the dwelling of a fisherman
of the name of LTDDON• He left in his boat at three,
but previously to going out made himself some breakfast,
leaving the fire burning. The chimney took fire and '
smouldered for some hours, it is believed. About six this
morning, some sparks fell on the thatch of the adjoining
house, and set fire to it, and the wind blowing a stiff gale
from tie westward, no less than 14 roofs were blaeing in
a very short time. Assistance was speedily had from Ex-
mouth, Topsham, and Exeter, but of little avail.