Star.
London, England, 1830-12-29 00:00:00

KING'S PLATES.

As reporters of Field Sports, and more especially the tran actions
relative to the Turf, we venture to call upon Iced Lowther to inter.
cede with the present Stewards of the Jockey Club to interns them.
selves in the alteration of the King's Plates, with regal(' t
three-year olds to run. We should not have presumed to addre.a Lord
Lowther on the subject, but that he has already Lased a mo ntnient to
his memory In the improvements he has effected in the Race Course and
Exercising Ground at Newmarket, which are the wonder and admires.
tion of all who have seen them.

King's Plates were given to encourage the breed of the racehorse.
and produce sport ; therefore, the greater number of homes that can be
entered, the more likely is the object to be attained. The reason why
three-year-olds were not generally allowed to start was, that the pro-
prieton of hones did not train their young stock until three year, old,
and they were not thought of. They now begin at fifteen months, and
dues parts of the horses in our days lose all their speed before they are
four years old. In the year 1791, Baronet won the Ascot Oatlanda.
LVVe have chosen this date, to support our argument, as some of our
readers may have seen the race, and also have a perfect recollection of
the number of old honed then in training, and their decrease at this
time.] Forty-one horses were entered, 19 started, and only one threL.
year-old (Vermin), who was the favourite. This present year, 11 bosses
were entered for the Ascot Oatlands, and 6 started. In 1791, there were
but 32 subscribers to the Derby ; this year, there were 99. In
the Newmarket October Meetings of the year 1791, there were
two Sweepstakes for two-year-olds, which did not produce a race ;
a Fifty Pound Plate for two-year-olds, ten started. In the October
Meetings of this year, at Newmarket, the following Stakes for ewe.
year-olds were run for. Anson, 6:subscribers Clearweil, 30 sub.
scribers ; Prendergast, 30 subscribers; Criterion, 28 subscribers; and
18 started for a two-year-old Plate. The hones that have been
beaten in theme Stakes are of but little value to the ownera, as 04e
only chance they have Is to keep them until the spring, at which time
they ore three years old, to meet the same horses again. Numbers ate
given up, and sold—in fact, beaten two year olds are to be purchased on
very moderate terms after the October Meetings. In the year 1791, in
the October Meetings, 168 horses ran ; out of these, there were only 18
,two year olds. At **present time, there are 450 horns in training at
Newmarket, and not mon than 40 of them have yet attained the age of
four years; and these henna, generally speaking, are considered supe.
rior, and the (*nets will not run them for King's Plates—the weights
being high, and the distances great, requiring a very strong prepara-
tion ; and, if they should have a severe race, it deteriorates their speed,
and renders them useless for short rates, or matching, for a consider-
able length of time. Instead of making the ages of horses to com-
mence on the Ist of May, let it be the Thursday in the First Spring
Meeting. On that day, the first King's Plate is ran for, three year
olds carryingwhich
and increasing one pound for every
month up to October, at which time they would be carrying B.t. 13111.
IModtrate three-year olds would start for King's Plates throughout the
country, which are now of little or no utility to the owners, except to
run with horses who have already beaten them. Numbers are turned
out of training because their proprietors have not the means of ascer-
taining if they can go a distance. Were they permiued to run for
King's Plates, and found capable of staying the distance, they would be
kept on another year; we should by this mesas have a greater number
of four-year-olds, and, instead of a solitary two, and a walk over, for a
King's Plate, there would be a field of from eight to ten honesun.
stonily starting for this description of money. We think we have
clearly shown the increase of three-year-olds and the decrease of four.
year-olds and upwards in the comparison of the years 1791 and 1830,
which strongly calls for the subject to be taken into the consideration of
these persons who have the management of these things, and 'we feel
confident that, had it beei broached, it would ere this have been at.
tended to. We lope that these observations will not escape the eye Of
the Muter of the Horse, as he is possessed of most supesier *pullet,
and is also placed In a situation which, should he express an opines
favourable to the alteration, be could do much towards having the ar-
rangement speedily adopted.

OAKLY HUNT.-Mr. Berkeley's hounds have of late
afforded most brilliant sport. On the 4th of this month they unken.
nelled a gallant fox at Hienholion, and after running ever a vast latent
of country, by Apien, Staughten, Eaton, and Colnworth, they ran into
their .for ln most gallant style, in the open country, after upwards of
:two hours herd running. • On Tuesday the lfith their speed and hottest
was again put to the test by o pin,tn fox from Weston Wood, whieb,
after making the Weult of Mem and Hanger without entering the
corers, returned to the vow& handrrolog from thence, boldly
faced the fine counfty in tbodifection of Woburn, and passing
ton, Morbid,' eistklaitertire Park, ant crossing the London. road near
jiiythiladsoosenegilt relagtile the INN. ardeuthill, and-ovontnady r.
aped by the peataees of* fteih fox, after two hones and ten minutes
a the severest chase that has been known for tinny years.—ftortkamp.
ton Mercury.

TII E EVENING STAR.

LONDON.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29.

This afternoon a Cabinet Council was summoned to meet
to-morrow at the Foreign Office.

Yesterday evening M. CoNTINI, the Italian Messenger,
left town with despatches from the Colonial and Foreign
Offices for Lord STUART DE ROTIISAY, our Ambassador
at Paris; and Sir FREDERICK ADAM, Lord High Ad-
miral of the lonian Isles, at Corfu.

We have just received the Proclamation, dated 27th inst.
of the Kiwi of the French, announcing tho resignation
of General LAFAYETTE, and the appointment of Count
LoBAU as Commandant-General of the National Guards.
The Count, it states, took an active part in the memorable
days of July.
The private letters, by the express, state that all was
quiet at Paris, and that the KING has taken the whole of
the power in his own hands.

We have this day accounts from Hamburgh, which state
that the Emperor of Roast* is hastening towards Poland,
with a powerful force ; and it is further positively asserted,
that the Autocrat's fixed determination is to hear of nothing
short of the unconditional surrender of the Poles. Expresses
are frequent throughout every State on the Continent ; but
little of their contents transpires.

We direct the Reader's attention to the momentous intelli-
gence from Paris, which we publish in another column.
We yesterday announced the fact of LA FA YETTE'S resig-
nation, as Commander of the National Guard ; and the
subsequent intelligence affords just grounds of alarm, for the
future peace of France.
Our paper this day, in various departments, chews that
active preparations are being carried into effect, for strength-
ening the military force of the country. Besides the nume-
rous recruiting parties, detached over the united kingdoms,
our Readers will not fail to observe, that the KING inCoun-
cil, on the 27th inst. has commanded the immediate ballot
and enrolment of men, for filling tip the vacancies in the
militia of Great Britain. The preliminary lists are ordered
to be in readiness, within fourteen days in England, and
three weeks in Scotland, after the date of the order in Coun-
cil. which appears in our first page. This intelligence ren-
ders our domestic condition, such as to occasion serious re-
flection ; and this is not lessened by the subjoined proclama-
tion, by the newly appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland :
" ANGLESEY.

" Whereas, by en Act passed in the tenth year of his late Majesty's
reign, intituled " An Act for the Suppression of dangerous Associa-
tions or Assemblies in Ireland, a power is invested in the Lord
Lieutenant, or other Chief Governor or Governors of Ireland, by his
or their Proclamation or order, to prohibit the meeting of any assembly
or body of persons in Ireland, which he or they shall deem to be dan-
gerous to the public safety.

" And whereas it hath been made known unto Us, that a meeting
of an assembly or body of persons, under the name of ' The Trades-
men of Dublin; is about to take place on Monday next, the 27th inst.
at the hour of eleven o'clock, at Fhibsborough, in the county of Dub.
lin, and, when there marshalled, to proceed in regular array, and in
great numbers, through the streets of the city of Dublin •

_
" And whereas we have received information upon oath, that the said
meeting is calculated to lead to a disturbance of the public peace, and
hath excited serious apprehensions thereof in the minds of his Majesty's
peaceable subjects : ,

" And whereas we have also received information, upon oath, that
language of a highly inflammatory nature has been used by some of
the persons who have signified their intention of attending the said
meeting :

4, We, therefore, the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor
of Ireland, deeming the said meeting to be dangerous to the public
peace and safety ; and being resolved to prohibit the same, do
hereby accordingly prohibit the said meeting, and being deter-
mined and resolved strictly enforce the law, and the penalties there-
of, against all persons offending in the premises, do charge and tom.
mand all Mayon, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, and all other Magis-
trates, Officers, and others whom it may concern, to be aiding and as.
sisting in the execution of the law, in preventing the meeting of the said
assembly or body of persons, and in the effectual dispersion and sup-
pression of the same, and in the detection and prosecution of those who,
after this notice, shall offend in the relpects aforesaid.

" Given at his Alajesty's Castle of Dublin, this 25th day of Decent.
bee, 1830. By his Excellency's command,

"GOD save the King."

,4 W. GREGORY."

In yesterday's STAR, we stated the three principal ques-
tions which suggest themselves, and are at present con-
stantly in discussion, on the great subject of Reform. It is
evident if those who advance their opinions in discussion
on the subject, do not previously Sx and identify,
which of these questions it is, which they are ap-
plying their minds to answer, that nothing approx-
imating to sound opinion can be the result. At the risk,
therefore, of being considered tedious, and what is collo-
Trial termed dry, we thought it proper to place the several

questions in juxta-position before our Readers ; and conceive
it will be quite unnecessary to point out, at any length, the
1 entire distinctness of the three questions.
The only question of the three, which we think should at
present be agitated, is the last; which may be thus briefly
stated—what change in our laws and customs is requisite,
to reform or correct the elective portion of the British
Parliament, as at present existing, so as to make
it an exact representation of the numerical majority
of those among the population, possessing that de-
gree of property and intelligence, to render them in-
terested in the preservation of the several essential parts of
the British Constitution? On considering this question,
it will at once be seen, that it is distinguished from
the first of the other questions, by enquiring only what
measure of reform in representation is compatible, and sub-
servient, to the preservation of our precept tripai Cite
executive, of King, Lords, and Commons—acting, but co-
operating, in the work of legislation; whereas, in one
of the other questions, the enquirer's researches are not
so limited ; and those who are not inclined so
to limit their enquiries, are engaged in another question,
to which our reasoning can, it is evident, have no logical
relevancy. They are allowing themselves, perhaps un-
consciously, to speculate on a change in the form of Go-
vernment ; we only limit ourselves to correct, and
continue the present. The question which we shall
allow ourselves to discuss, is a little less limited in some parti-
culars, than the second of the questions which we yesterday
stated. That question limits itself to the placing our insti-
tutions only as they were. Now we see no reason why
we should not improve a little upon our ancestors,
as long as our improvements are consistent with the pre-
servation of an edifice, on the permanence of which, the
security of the property and happiness of the present
generation, depends.

Our conviction is, that his MAJESTY'S present Adminis-
tration are honestly engaged in meditating on the very ques-
tion we have thus endeavoured to render distinct ; and that
they will patronize, and are inclined successfully to accom-
plish, as much of a correction of existing Constitutional
errors, as can be accomplished, with the assent of the
three Estates. We conceive, therefore, the friends of reform
should afford them that support, which may confer the power
theyr equire.

CITY, ONE O'CLOCK.

Consols, which left off yesterday at 82A to # for the
account, opened this morning at the same price ; but owing
to the unsettled state of affairs, they receded to 82. At pre-
sent, the market is rather better, and they are 821
In the Foreign Market, little or nothing doing as yet.

We have no arrivals at present of any importance. A
report prevails of the arrival of an Express from Parisi but
we believe it is incorrect. Owing to the fall of snow, the
bad state of the roads in France, as well as in this country,
must impede the progress of the couriers for some hours.
An express is anxiously looked for, to ascertain the true state
of affairs at Paris.

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

Consols remain steady at 82j i for the Account, by which
it is supposed that the news from Paris is of a favourable
description.

In the Foreign Market little doing. Russian Stock 88i
to 89k.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES IN WHITECROSS-STREET
PRISON.—The Governor of this prison, Mr. Barrett, with
the view of enabling its inmates to enjoy, in a limited degree,
the merriment of this season of the year, has given permis-
sion for the gate to be kept open for to-day, only till the hour
of nine o'clock at night, instead of being closed at the
customary hour of four o'clock in the afternoon.
In consequence of this indulgence, active preparations are
going on in the various wards. Music and dancing are, for
the most part, the order of the day. The tables and forms
are piled up together in one corner of the room, the floors
chalked, and that in some of the wards most tastefully, and
the walls decorated with laurels and other evergreens.
Altogether the preparations have been made in a
style which would not have disgraced buildings of higher
pretensions than a Debtor's prison.
ADVANTAGE TO DEBTORS OF BEING A CITIZEN OF
LONDON.—Those prisoners confined in Whitecross-street
Prison, who were freemen of the City of London, and had
claimed their privilege as such, by producing the copy of their
freedom on their admission, received each on the eve of
Christmas day 181bs. of prime roasting beef, three quartern
loaves, half a gallon of strong ale, and their propor-
tionate share of two chaldrons of coals, which was
equal, there being only sixteen claimants, to a sack,
and a half of coals each. In addition to all these there re-
mained a sum of money to be divided among them, said to be
equal to 10s. per man. These benefits were the produce of
one of the numerous bequests left for the exclusive benefit of
debtors being citizens of London.
GLOUCESTER, Dec. 27.—Friday evening an extensive
range of sheds, on the brick works at Holt (the property of
Mr. Wood, of this city,) was burnt to the ground. There
is little doubt that the fire was wilfully occasioned, and that
the incendiary was a fellow dressed in the garb of a sailor,
who had been selling matches in that neighbourhood. He
bad asked leave to sleep under the shed, which was refused,
and in a very short time after, the sheds were in flames.
WORCESTER, DEC. 27.—Three hundred Irish and Scotch
vagrants have been passed through the county of Stafford
during the last month. No less than four horses were
stolen from the vicinity of Shrewsbury in the night of
Saturday last. Iu the night of the 14th inst. a farm build-
ing and stack of hay were set on fire, near Whitchurch,
Salop, and, with three cows that were in the barn, were con-
sumed. The cows and the hay belonged to an industrious
man named William Heath. We regret to add, that the
wife of W. Heath died of the terror and alarm created in her
mind by the diabolical destruction of their property, and was
buried on Monday last.
THE FIRE AT LEWISHAM CHURCH.—(Further Parti-
culars.) —By the unfortunate fire at Lewisham Church, the
parish books and records are so much burnt that their con-
tents are said to be nearly obliterated. One of the police-
men belonging to the R division, No. 43, in endeavouring
to remove the iron safe, containing the church documents
and other valuables, had his foot crushed in a most dreadful
manner by its falling upon him ; and another policeman,
No. 41, was very much burnt. Many others of the police
received various injuries by the mob, who pelted them with
stones and other missiles as they were leaving the town.
The Magistrates and Churchwardens are said to have re-
monstrated with the mob on their riotous behaviour towards
the police, who were deserving of the greatest praise for
. their services.

THE KING'S COURT.

BRIGHTON, Dec. U.

The Ministers who arrived yesterday left for London this
morning ; as did Colonel F. and Lady AUGUSTA FITZ-
CLARESTCP.

The Duke of DORSET is arrived.

This day, the KING gave audience to Count MUNSTER.
The KING and QUEEN afterwards took a carriage airing.
Her MAJEsTY's band attended in the Pavilion last evening.
Among the numerous names on the list of inquiries to-day
were the following:—

Captain Woolmure, Sir Davidge and Lady Gould, Sir G. Anson,
Sir Osborne and Lady Gibbs, Sir Charles and Lady Blunt, Sir John,
Lady, and Miss Shelly, Lord Carnarvon, Lady Lambert, Lieutenant.
General Sir William and Lady Jane Houston, Sir George and Lady
Westphal, Lady Ventry, the Earl and Countess of Belfast, Mr. end
Mrs. Burdett, Viscountess Nelson, Lord and Lady Brldport, Lady C.
and Miss Dundas, Lord Barham and the lion. Miss Noel, Captain and
Lady Susan Boehm], Sir B. and Lady G. Gore, Lord Holland, Lord
and Lady Rendlesham, Lord and Lady Lyndhurst, Lady and bliss
Hawkins Whitahed, &c. &c. and the whole of the names mentioned for
the party last evening.