Star.
London, England, 1831-06-20 00:00:00

THE BRITISH STADIUM.

Baron de Berenger, a gentleman of distinguished
attainments and accomplishments, has formed, in
the King's-road, Chelsea, a truly splendid esta-
blishment for the promotion of athletic and scien-
tific amusements. Of course, we regard such a
design, on weighty National grounds, as truly im-
portant, because the most beneficial acquirements,
will thus be cultivated, promoted, and rendered fa-
shionable. He calls it TIIE STADIUM, and it

occupies a space of twenty-four acres, superbly
and suitably laid out, extending from the King's-
ioad; Chelsea, to the.banks of the Thames, Imiewa
as Chelsea Farro,and for many years the picturesque
residence of Lord Cremorne. On this tasteful oche
the Baron has arranged a British Arena for skilful
amusements generally, but more particularly for
acquiring scientific methods, in field sports, and
perfection in all manly and recreative personal.
exercises.

It has been universally admitted, says the Baron
de Berenger, that the ancient Greeks and Roman.
—renowned as they were for superiority in most
things, owed their character chiefly to their con-
stant practice of manly sports and skilful exer-
cises—for thus they acquired extraordinary agility,
great muscular power and energy, with self-pos-
session, ensuring consequent heroism, since their
minds were attuned thereto by their public perio-
dical competitions for prizes and distinctions ; the
force of example producing an honourable ambi-
tion, wound tip by, the applauding acclamations of
numerous spectators, (and in which the sex so ex-,
citingly joined) to uncommon perseverance, and to
the strife of uncontroulable enthusiasm.

May it not consistently be urged that such glo-
rious examples deserve oar imitation ?—changing
however the exercises, &c. so as to be more suita-
ble to our times, and more congenial to the charac-
ter and pursuits of modern nations—for, besides
conferring the valuable boons of health, activity,
presence of mind and vigour, national character
must thereby also be improved, at least preserved,
and a powerful antidote created to dangerous be-
cause enervating effeminacy, which, as an insidi-
ous and powerfully operating poison, endangers the
enjoyments of affluence and luxury, and engen-
ders that preference of ease and splendour, which,
opposing the cultivation of manly enterprise, is a
facination to be dreaded, because banefully thwart-
ing the career of youths born to opulence.
Judicious and sound instruction will therefore
promote perfect self-possession and presence of
mind; and, as their command alike in the Senate—
the Cabinet—in conflicts with the enemy or with
felonious assailants—in perilous voyages—nay, in
every pursuit in life, has a most decisive influence,
their acquirement must be admitted as of incalcu-
lable value ; whereas their even momentary absence

may seal our doom, and equally involve those who,
confiding in our self-possession, become sharers of
our risks.

With such aims and with exertions neither re-
laxing in energy, nor yielding to avaricious.consi-
denttions where expenditure can further such ob-
jects, the proprietor of the Stadium may confidently
yet respectfully venture to solicit the fostering sup-
port of a liberal and discerning public, by submit-
ting a sketch of the various and superior attrac-
tions and splendid recreations which he intends to
employ in order, and without pedantry, to accom-
plish such important objects ; in furtherance whereof
be proposes the national club,mrsting at his stadium,
although united in general objects, shall be di-
vided as follows
No. 1. The department for cultivating perfec-
tion in shooting generally.
Not only will prizes frequently be contended for
by classes, but public galas and festivals will mark
all the grand trials of skill, whether in shooting,
archery, or whatever sanctioned exercise.
No. 2. Department for aquatic pursuits, pro-
moting improvements in, and the practice of, sail-
ing, rowing, swimming, bathing, &c.
Aquitic excursions and regattas, and the conse-
sequent distribution of prizes, cannot fail to be en
hanied by the peculiarly romantic situation of a
mansion which, although but two miles and a quar-
ter from the Palace, and very near to Belgrave-
?pare, and replete with accommodation, is richly
decorated with lofty trees, not easily to he exceeded
hi picturesque effect or stateliness ; thus, and by
local facilities, to point it out as a miniature domain
peculiarly adapted for occasional public breakfasts,
fetes champetre, and galas of even the most splen-
did kind.
No. 3. Department for general purposes, and for
investigating improvements, &c.—lts care will be,
to promote by a variety of means, all matters con-
nected with the manly, skilful, or useful exercises,
and amusements not already set forth ; such as
fencing (broad and small sword), archery, riding,
driving, skaiting ; not omitting the gymnastics (bat
altered to the British taste), likewise games of
skill, such as cricket, racket, billiards, caramel,
and other sports, as also equestrian and pedestrian
matches. Too numerous as these pursuits are to
be cultivated at starting, they cannot fail to be
cherished in rapid succession, because entrusted to
the fostering and judicious care of the members of
this department.
Other Members, who, with undiminished ardour
for such feats, still may be precluded by infirmity
or temporary causes, for taking an active part in
trials of skill, may form a delightful conetesasione
under regulations framed by themselves, adding, if
deemed desirable, a chess club and reading rooms.,
These three departments will each have • sub.
committee, with a president vice-president; amid
Secretary, and the whole will be periodically formed
into a general committee, forshe purpose of voting
in new members, and framing permanent rules and
regulations, foanded on preliminary rules, such'ss
the earlier- subscribers may have unavoidably,
adOpted as a committee pro teppore ; as much to

lay a foundation for subsequent order, as to protect
+the interests and property of the prop) ietor.
On all public days a certain nuniber of visitors
sill be admitted, additionally to those which the
members of the privileged classes are entitled to
IM/educe; in order however to ensure the most ac.
'espial° intercourse, the admission tickets may be
mats to be obtainable through the medium of a
regular subscriber alone, and at a price to be r.ettled
;by the general committee with the proprietor, in
order to provide for a considerable and fluctuating
addition to his expences on such occasions, also to
indemnify him for wear and tear and expencei for
'garden and other repars which such an influx on
public days and festivals must otherwise and una-
voidably visit him with as a heavy loss.
Model dresses for a tasteful and rich club
uniform

will also be submitted, differing as follows,
according to the different branches, and having for
each a full dress for galas, &c. and an undress for
Practice, &c.
A club rifle full uniform, and drill dress with
pelisse &c. for those practising ball shooting.
A club dress (frocks) and sportsmen's shooting
jackets, &c. for pigeon and similar shooting.
An archer's full uniform, and practice undress
for those cultivating archery.
A naval uniform, and sailors' jackets, trowsers,
&c. for those whose preference leads them to aquli-

A club frock for general purposes.
In each an institution there are combined good
society and healthful recreation, while the object
is personal accomplishments of the highest kind,
and the end is the valuable improvement of the en-
tire national character. This great and wealthy
metropolis obviously stood in need of some esta-
blishment of the kind, as a substitate for dissipa-
tion, and a check on growing effeminacy of cha-
racter. In due time the Berenger Games, and
their public prizes, may assume honourable cele-
brity, and be an object worthy of exalted ambi-
tion!

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.
FLANDERS MAIL.
BAussELs, JUNE 15.—A Belgian Cabinet
messenger set out yesterday afternoon with des-
patches for London.
In the sitting of the Congress yesterday, various
measures relative to matters of finance, to the civic
guard, &c. were discussed. The report of the
central section on the proposal of M. Theux, to
reduce the number of members necessary to enable
the Chamber to debate from 101 to 70, announced
that the central section judged the proposed change
dangerous, and advised the order of the day.
In this sitting M. Duvivier, Minister of Finance
ad interim, presented a general view of the presumed
resources of the revenue for 1831, the sum total of
which he made to amount to 44,566,211 florins.
Jana 16.—1 t was reported vesterday in the
Congress that Prince Leopold had accepted the
throne of Belgium, and that, consequently, all dif-
ficulties respecting the boundaries were renuirld.
A postscript to the Journal of Antwerp says—
" We have positive information that there is no
foundation for the news of a revolution at Amster-
dam, given by the Emancipation and the Beige."
• In the sitting Orem Congress on the 15th, M.
E. Legrelle proposed that a message should be sent
to the Government, inviting it to • take' the most
effectual measures to prevent a renewal of hostill•
ties from impeding the negociations at London, and
to acquaint the different corps of the army, by an or-
der of the day, of the decision of Congress. After con-
siderable debate the Chamber resolved, by a ma-
jority of 63 to 51, that the motion should be im-
mediately considered and referred to a Committee
'of 17 members. The Committee immediately with-
drew, and after being absent an hour returned,
when M. Beyts announced that the Committee had
decided by a majority that the proposal was con-
stitutional, since Art. 88 of the Constitution gives
the right of declaring war to the bead of the State
alone, and unanimously, that it diaapproved of the
events at Antwerp. The Chamber passed to the
order of the day.
Julie 17.—A courier, who arrived from Eng-
land the evening before yesterday, brought to the
Regent letters from the deputation sent to Princo
Leopold. Those letters contain nothing positive.
They only announce that all hope-of a solution ad-
vantageous to Belgium is not lost.
The first number of the Moniteur Beige, avow-
edly the journal of the Ministry, was published
yesterday evening. It contains the following do-
cument :

LETTER FROM THE REGENT OF BELGIUM TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE LEOPOLD OT
SANE COBURG.
" Prince,—The Congress bas, in the name of die Belgic
people, just decreed the crown to your Royal Highness. By
this act of sovereignty it confides the &Wales of the notion
to your wisdom, and places the national honour under the
safeguard of ties personal boson of your Royal Highness,
which la beixeforth hiseparahle from the other.
The Belgians reckon on your sabres, united with these
of the deputies sent to you by the Cempess, and en those of
the COMOIIIII4OIIBII of the Government, to obtain from the
IPlealpsteatiarke in the Coignes at London the recognition
of our just rights.
" This k the first piedimwe expect of your lye for the
Belgian nation. This amiss, which is misauldersteed and
calumniated abroad, will prow to year Highness, become its
King, that it is wotthy of a better fete %ban that which seemed
to be prepared for it, but whisk it wee fully resolved' 'serer
to submit to, though ready to make, for the preservation of
general peace, all the sacrilege orsuperible with its honour
aid with the security of its existence as an independent
nation.

•1 I think it my duty to inform year Royal flightiest,
that on the promptness of the negodatioas dspsnds dui fate
of Belgium, and perhaps even the tranquillity of gawps.
I am also convinced that it is shim highest importance
that the Congress should carefully avoid driving to despair
a generous Bailee, which has done twiny thing to esoodtute
itself in harmony with the other European Oovemmsoia, and
has just given a new pule( of it by thanked= of year Royal
Highness.

I hesitate aot to say, that if, contrary to all expectation,
and in spite of year Glints, its offers should be received dia.
dainfally or rejected, it would than see as tonna of safety
bat an appeal to the sword.
a It is reserved foe your Highness to cpcjuro the storm,
sad to avert from oar hoods die atioltotones which threaten
us, and which doidd Ulm/ siellillineoPe.
6.1 l!etet woo Ptiato plai4 Is i air* aside *wise than
yours: you are, by yesee:ahotids4 isbAssfleiair wart aU
now dept ads M ran 114 wish the Vonibooliso ahem the
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.s King. Yo., will arswcr, I drubs not, he espectationt,
s id I aAijure rcu .o do so in the name of the country.
‘• The Regent of Belgium, Baron SUBLET DE CHOZIEL,
" Bru.sels, Jur. 6, 1831."

We are rammed that some members of the Con-
vess i..tiited en the Regent yesterday morning, to
:,tok fui ehauge of the Ministry It seems that
the Regent answered, that the Ministry could not
retire unless there was a majority in the Congress
against them ; thnt the rejection of the budget, for
instance, wou'd he n warning to them.
t;eneral Millinet arrived at Ostend yesterday:

ANYwEste. 3t• 16.-1 t is estimated that
I 0,000 persons have left Antwerp since Sunday,
had confit!ence is far from being restored. It is
Affirmed that very strict orders - are come from
Brussels to inquire into the cause of the engage-
ments which occur daily, without any reason, be-
te esn the town and the Dutch, and in case it shall
be i.roved that they originated with the Belgians,
te punish those who are the occasion of them.
N L 17.—Yesterday_passed over quietly ; the
tl,ing of musketry, which alarmed us for several
days. has at length ceased; The civic guard does
fluty at the port, and suffers no person to approach
tl.e quays. Yesterday and last night patrols tra-
versed the streets ; two cannon are placed in the
Grand Place • yet the appearance of the city is still
gloomy. The inhabitants who have left do not
think of returning, and many waggons loaded
with effects are sent away. —Brussels Papers,
June 16.

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