Star.
London, England, 1824-03-04 00:00:00

CURIOUS I,II'EMRY QUESTION;

A dispute has arisen between two Gentlemen of some repute in
the literary world, which is likely to be productive of much curious
disquisition. The circumstances are these the month of No-
vember M. writes a letter to his friend N. to say that he has Act-
&malty obtained the ground-work for a Comedy, which, if well di.
gested, would be certain of reception at either of the Itoyal Theatres,
and offers N. half the proceeds in case he will undertake to prepare
the piece. The offer is accepted; M. supplies the crude materiel
(whether imaginative or borrowed is uncertain), and a Comedy is
produced by N: at the period mutually agreed upon. The next
thing to be considered is its acceptance with the Committee of
Alanagement, in which quarter (particularly one) M. possesses very
considerable influence ; and holding the notion (justified indeed ►y
present custom) that interest effects more than talent, however es-
timable, he cancels the former contract, and offers is have the Play
produced, provided N. agrees to accept a third of the proceeds in
place of an equal share, as originally agreed upon. This proposal
meets from N. a haughty reTosal, and the panics go to cuffs in
the question. The first three acts remain in the possession of N.
.whilst M. holds the fourth and fifth, until some accommodation can
be effected. This, however, is by no means likely to be brought
about, as N. disclaims holding any futther communication on the
subject, and has actually re-written that part of the Play which M.
refused to surrender. In this state the affair stands at present, each
claiming a right to, the piece • and, in the event of its being pub-
lished, or acted for N.'s benefit, M. is determined to take legal pro-
ceedings for the recovery of at least one-half the net proceeds. Li-
terary partnerships have been seldom successful; not but there are
sonic splendid exceptions on record; however, we cannot imme-
diately call to mind any case similar to the present, so that if it should
ever come to a trial, the Jury Will possibly have to decide on a point
for which neither law nor literature furnishes a single precedent.

Mr. K FABLE was so much difigured from a swelled
face, arising from the effects of a severe cold, that he
was Unable to perform the part of Romeo, on Monday
nigiv, to Miss F. 11. KELLY S Juliet. Mr. COOPER per-
formed it instead yf Mr. KEMBLE, and acquitted him-

self tolerably respectable.
An adjourned Meeting was yesterday morning held
at Lloyd's, to consider the propriety of appointing
Committee to meet a Deputation of Ship Owners, on the
subject of the Classification of Merchant Vessels. After
some discussion, a Committee of eight was appointed.
Yesterday the Sele.ct. Committee appointed by the
House of Commons to inquire into the " present state"
of the Millbank Penitentiary, 'a hich, it will be recollected,
has been empty for some months, met for the first time.
They appointed the Honourable H. GREY RENNET,
Chairman. There was rather a full Committee; amongst
those present were Mr. Hoieoaa (who has so actively
attended to the Penitentiary), Mr. SPRING RICE, Mr. B.
WILBRAHAM, Ste. They proceeded to examine wit-
nesses. They examined Mr. CHAPMAN, the Governor,
at great length, as to the conduct of the prisoners on
board the hUlks, since their removal from the Peniten-
tiary. This is an open Committee; any persons may
attend and listen to the proceedings; several strangers
were present; but, as it is not the custom to report the
proceedings of Committees, till they arearrinted in the
Commons Reports, we cannot detail the evidence.
A great impulse has lately beers given, at least in'
some instances, to the value of land, in consequence,
no doubt, of the' change in the rate of interest, and of
the steady rise in the price of agricultural produce.—
The proprietors of land, it is said, are beginning to look
again towards war prices. We have ,heard it men-
tioned, that an estate in a neighbouring county, for
which.the proprietor, about twelve months ago, would
have been glad to have closed for 50,0001. has just
been disposed of for 68,0001. and another, which was
actually sold about the same time for 25,0001. but
which, from particular circumstances, having been again
brought to market, has lately been sold at the advanced
price of 31,000/. We also understand that an extensive
property in Fife has just been sold for upwards of
1 00,000/.—Calcdonian Mercury.
An Institution has been established in Newcastle for
promoting Literature and Science amongst mechanics.
It gives u great satisfaction to obser ye that, though not
the first, this town has been far from the last, to adopt
a scheme so praiseworthy, and so beneficial to a large
and most useful class of society.
Sunday morning,. betvacn five and six o'clock, a fire
was discovered in the brig James, lying at the City
Quay, Dublin. The flames soon but st through the deck,
and great apprehensions were entertained for the safety
,of all the shipping op to Carlisle Bridge. Fortunately
the fire was got limier without any other damage than
that sustained by the vessel in which it broke out.
DREADFUL. AcctoEsr.---Sunday morning, about
two o'clock, a most dreadful accident happened in a,
house in Type-ccart, Grub-street. A number of per-
sons assembled in the first floor of the house to wake
(according to Irish custom) a deceased man, named
Mahony, and were in the height of their fun, most of
them being intoxicated, when the floor gave way, and
the whole party tumbled through to the ground floor,
which also gave•way, and the poor people were preci-
pitated into the cellar. Prompt assistance was imme-
diately given, and they were extricated. The corpse
was found among theta, and excited some m.!rriment.
One child was unfortunately killed, and many other
persons were seriously hurt.
Vaughan, the retiarection man, who recently made;
his escape from the Mayor's prison, at Maidstone, has
been retaken at Manchester, after a de,perate resistance,_
and has since arrived at Ens old quarters. The town of
Manchester was in great agitation, 200 bodies having
been torn front their resting-place.
HAIL, WEDDED LOVE!—On Saturday last, twelve il-
legitimate children were fikateci at Laucaster, aine of which were
to atortied men! •