Star.
London, England, 1808-11-01 00:00:00

BRITISH-PRISONERS IN NORIVAT.

SETRAcT OF A LETTER FROM DRONTIIRIM, JUNE 28,
RECEIVUD EY KAY OF lIELMNGEORG, PER FAVOUR

OF CITARLM FESWICKI ESQ.
,g On the Ist September last year,l atrived from
Aberdeen at Christiansound, where I and my crew
were immediately put in close confinement, and all
supported at my expence. After remaining at Chris-
tiansound for five weeks, we were sent up to prison
at this place, where we were allowed one shilling per
clay each for our support, but without the liberty of
using it farther than paying it to the jail keeper, for
which he gave us a Sort of dinner, while all other
expence came on ourselves. About the mlldle of
November, we gladly embraced a proposal made As
of hiring lodgings for ourselves ; but suspecting we
might escape in the spring, they again put us in con-
finementpn the 20th February, where we have conti-
nued since, and by all appearance may continue for
another year, or perhaps longer. •
" There are seven crews here, in number about
seventy men, and certainly, Iviay say, in an unhappy
situation, as the prison they are confined in is not fir
for hogs, and the prwisions little better. They
tell us here, that wia hunger in England they
Force their countrymen to enter into the service,
which, I think, will never be the case I.Nith the Bri-
tish seamen here, whatever hardships they may be
subject to. The Danish Captains, who were prisoners
in England, have written scandalously of the usage
they received there ; which is, perhaps, greatly the
cause of the harsh treatment we experience. The
greater part of them have since got home, and I
hope you will endeavour to make our situation
known, that there may be a chance of an exchange of
prisoners ; as it was surely a great cruelty of our Go-
vernment, to grant licence to go to a country, which
they knew they had invaded. I have not saved
a pennyworth belonging to the ship, nor even my
own clothes, so desperate were the people against us;'
and not one of my Christiansound friends has ever
enquired after me. My vessel sailed from hence on the
21st of May, with about ten sail more, to Archangel,
on Government account, for grain and other stores the
country is needing; but as we hear there are cruizers
to the northward, these vessels may perhaps discharge
their cargoes in Britain."

Letter from an Officer of the Ist Battalion 45th
Foot to his Friend in Edinburgh :
" Torres Vedras, 21 miles from Lisbon, September 20.
" I have now the happiness of addressing you from this our
first resting place since we have been in Portugal. The regi-
ment, as well as most of the army, underwent a good deal of hard-
ship ; and it appears to me astonishing that, notwithstanding the
positions we had assigned to-us in both actions, so few of us
were touched. In the action of the l'ith.we attacked the strongest
post of the enemy, headed by the gallant General Spencer ;—but,
from the 29th regiment having advanced too quick, they having
the road on our right, and we being obliged to climb a precipice,
'they suffered, as you have seen by the Gazette, very severely ;
whereas we that were exposed to the whole cannon of the French,
while advancing, only lost one Ensign killed, one Lieutenant
wounded, and nine rank and file. The 29th completely saved
from being cut to pieces,for our regiment was so entirely dons
up, that scarcely a man could; rand when we got to the top of the
precipice, some places of which only two men could get up at a
time. You may recollect the rocks called the Boor Hill near
Ayr • ; the place we had to go up was something like it. The
French, since the business is over, have frequently inquired the
name of the mad regiment that climbed up the rocks, and the still
madder officer that led them ; they won't believe us when we ac-
quaint them that the above was all our loss. They retired in
astonishment when they saw the 29th and us formed in perfect
order on the ill._
We
never fired a shot, and consequently were
not mentioned in orders ; but ail the army agree that we deserved
to have been noticed in the strongest terms.
" We never saw the enemyf root that day until they came to
attack us with their whole army( except the garrison of Lisbon)
,on the 21st ult.; you will Fee, of course, a full detailed account
of that glorious action in the papers, and I need say nothing on
the subject, bat that the 91st regiment: Highlanders) and 45th
were the two regiments that, by a most rapid movement, turned
thoenemy's tight flank, whilst It was engaged with the 71st.—
litey of course did not wait till we could fire on them, but fled in
every direction in the utmost consternation, and we bad as
quickly begun the cbace, when we bad orders to halt, to, our DO
small astortislunent,as well as ro that of the whole army t for, if
they had been followed up, they must have been nearly all killed
a taken prisoners. The inhabitants are in general a poor, super-
,titious, ignorant set of beings ; and in place of the Portuguese
oeing oil in terms as represented in Britain, they have not been
of the smallest assistance to us.
" jl B. We have just received orders to march to Peniche,
a sport town about :tar miles from Lisbon, reported to be a
....xi quarter; we march to-morrow morning."
• Boor hill is a rock almost perpendicular, and no man, upon
• Lel; at it, would venture to climb to its top.

..,11••••••,' • ••-••=.
FASHIONS FOR NOTPEMBER.

• : •
OEsCRLFTION OF TILE pREVAILTNCI FASILTONS /401
MON Tit, AS TAKEN FROM stINUTE oRsERVATION ETA
LADY OF aIsTINGEIstiED TASTE FROM REAL DASSelra ;
£YTRACfED FROM" LA BELLE ASsEMBLEE ; OR BELL'S
COURT AND FASHIONABLE MAGAZINE," FOR TLIE PRE-
SENT MON Tu.
Although it is as yet considered too early for fashion to as-
sume a deter mined character, yet many seasonable changes
have taken place hrthe several degrees of female attire, and these
we shall delineate with our accustomed fidelity. Pelisses and
mantles of fine Vigonia cloth (an elegant and entirely novel ma-
nufacture of Spanish wool), kerseymere, and double twilled figur-
ed sannet, are now introduced as appropriate and seasonable ar-
ticles ; and will probably blend with the velvet, whieb is gene-
rally distinguishable during the winter months, and whose rids-
ness, warmth, and beauty must ever render it an article of much
popular elegance. There Is at present little of novelty in the con-
struction of mantieshnd pelisses; we shall, however, take care to
mention not only what is at this time considered most genteel and
new, but shall notice also such as are likely to be in fashionable
request during the winter.
Thesimple wrap pelisse will, from its ease andutility, be long
ere it is exploded. The cardinal, or rustic mantle. recommends
itself also from its convenience and warmth, and from the grace-
ful negligence of its folds, when wrapt round the figure. '1 he
pilgrim's cloak and bonnet, formed of a russet brown cloth, or
moronekerseytnere, comprises much ingenuity in its construction,
and is well calculated to display to advantage a tall and graceful
figure ; but the most nay. I article in this litre is a plain coat of
Vigonia cloth, of a-pale olive or bright green. This coat is made
to sit close to the form, without any seam or opening in front;—
It buttons on one shoulder, somewhat like the high robe morning
dress ; but this junction, however, is hidby ashort mantle of the
complete Spanish form, which ROWS gracefully over the back, In-
clining towards that shoulder where the coat is fastened, but will
Wrap at pleasure round the form, and thus secure the chest from
cold. In carriages this mantle is sometimes wrought in a border
of shaded chenille of well contrasted lines ; in general,howevor,
It is edged with a large silk cord or chain, the same colour as the
coat and mantle. As the winter advances these trimmings will
doribtlew give place to that of the more appropriate fur.
Large India shawls, or scarfs tastefully wrapt round the figure,
are seen amidst the above mentioned out-door habiliments, whfle
those of fir Spanish silk are allowed to form a most graceful ap-
pendage to the evening party. We must, however, here remark,
that much taste is required to produce that unstudied and grace-
ful negligence which alone can render these ornaments advanta-
geous to their wearers.
Coloured and whitsoneslins, together with shot or figured oar-
. met India shawl robes, with those of gossamer satin, now consti-
tute the several style of gowns ; but these will doubtless soon
give place in some degree to those formed tif velvet, Georgian or
Vigonia cloth, which latter article will most probably become a
reigning favourite during the winter ; in softness and warmth it
'vesembles the texture of the Indian shawl; and its graceful plia-
bility as it waves round the figurelmust render it a most becom-
ing and acceptable article for train robes, which are now very ge •
nendly attached to the evening or full dress. Plaid scarfs fanci-
' folly disposed, or short tunics to sit to the form, and worn over
white crape,leno or muslin round gowns, have a very animated
and pleasing effect, and add to the gay varlets/ which distinguishes
the evening party.
The bosoms of robes now admit a great variety in their con-
stouction ; some are formed in horizontal flutings or plaits, others
with the peaked stomacher. somewhat like those of the ancients,
but not of such glittering attraction. The plain round bias or
wrap front, is now more generally edged with a full chain, most
curiously constructed, of the same material as the robe ; but
those females to whom nature has dispensed a full best, will do
well to rejeot this redundant ornament, and substitute a less ob-
truding finish—such as the simple cord, Indian ribband, Turkish
chain of silver, or narrow border of tambour.
Caps variously constructed, either-of lace, or muslin and
needlework, with lace beading, generally form a part of the
morning dress, and indeed many appear in these feminine orna-
ments at dinner and evening parties; but when worn on these
occasions the formation must necessarily be more light and fanci-
ful. The straw bonnet, of the close cottage or mountain form,
trimmed witk narrow bands and bows of bright morone, or am-
ber coloured ribband, are adopted as‘an appropriate shelter for
our fair pedestrians at this season; and indeed some few larger
Gipsey bats with flat crowns, and full edges of fancy Ross, tied
across with coloured handkerchiefs of silk, intermingle with the,
gay diversity which marks the multitude at this unsettled season.,
Fur caps are introduced at many of our fashionable marts, but
they are certainly an article by far too early displayed, and only
adapted for the winter months ; when they may not only be con-
sidered as appropriate and seasonable, but stylish and becoming.
Except in full dress, glows are left entirely to individual choice;
but pale colours in French kid, we think, have lately succeeded
to the Artyk tan and Idnieric of universal adoption. The most
fashionable colours for the season are bright moroue and amber
spots, grass-green, purple, and scarlet.