Star.
London, England, 1825-12-08 00:00:00

.[PRIOE SEVEN PENCE.

The Ist Regiment of Cavalry of the Line, which had
been stationed for some months at Parmanche'es, have
just received orders to proceed to C )rdova. We have
just learnt that the convent of the Escurial is all in
flames. Fire•engines have been seat with all haste hem
this city, with the necessary assistance, and two archi-
tects to direct the workmen. It is affirmed that the fire
commenced in the kitchen of the convent.

SIEGE OF CALLAO.

Advice: have been receive] from Lima to the begin-
ning of August. The following extract from a private
letter contains the &Hest account of the siege of the
Castles of Callao which has been received. in England t
and, as it also gives a description of the situation and
defences of the fortress, will be read with interest v...
44 Callao irsituated on a neck of low land that projects
into the sea, and contained before the war about four
thousand inhabitants. The fortifications consist of
three castles, mounting together one hunired and ninety
pieces of heavy ordnance, and command the town, the
harbour, and the whole neck of land across which they
are situated. They ate built of heavy stone work, in-
clining inwards from the base, and surrounded by deep
wide moats, with heavy draw-bridges across, in the
ancient style. The walls are so strong that no artillery
can penetrate them ; their inclination inwards froth the
base causes the balls which strike them horizontally ter
glance ever; besides, they are protected by trenches
thrown up on the outside, nearly to the muzzles of the
guns, and which also answer as a breastwork for troops
outs de. Siz months ago, when the Patriots a second
time got possession of Lima, it was expected that Rodil
would have immediately capitulated and surrendered
Callao.; instead of which, he drove the old men, wo-
men, and children, from the town, laid up stores of
provisions for his troops, and defied his antagonists.
His force at that time was 1500 men, but the number
is reduced by death and desertion to about 800. They
are blockaded by a squadron of five Gr siz vessels, and
besieged on land by a Patriot force of four thousand
men. The castles contain immense stores of amain-
nition, and considerable wealth. Rodil is a deter-
mined man in desperate circumstances. He may
be reduced by disease and desertion, but will never
voluntarily surrender. His boats fish in safety
under the guns of the castles, and he has land enough
within their protection to raise vegetablei for his troops.
The besieging army occupies a 'small town called Bella-
vista, on the road to Lima, about three qi9rters of a
mile from the castles: This town is nearly destroyed by
the guns of the castles ; there is scarcely.a house re.
'Paining habitable, and the soldiers ase principally shel-
tered in tents behind the remaining walls. There has
teen daily fighting for the last three months, and fre-
quent skirmishing betiveen the troops. The firing from
the castles is at times tremendous. They certainly re-
turn the Patriots ten shots for one. I visited the Pa.
Aria' camp a few days ago, and, leaving my horse at
Bellavista, proceeded on loot along the trenches, which
project in sho: t angles from tl,e town, about half a mile
.towat ds the castles, and within a law hundred yards of
the m. These trenches are dug about three flee deep,
'and the loose eat th thrown up on the side towards
the castles, and staked; so that the trench and breast-
work together are about as high as the head, and behind
them 1 felt tolerably safe from the balls which whistled
over me. Whilst looking over the entrenchment at the
lower end, towards the castles, I saw one of the fishing-
boats full of men,pulling towards the blockading vessels.
They were deserting from the castles, which instantly
opened a most tremendous fire upon the 'boat: The
shot dashed the water about her without appearing to
do her any serious damage. I took this opportunity,
whilst they were engaged on the sea side, to go be-
yond the entrenchment, and view the castles. They
did not appear to have received the least impression
from the heavy firing that had been made on them by
the besiegers. They hied a very military appearance;
the Royal Standard was flying; the sentinels were
marching on the battlements ; and everything ap-
peared to be in perfect order. Ido not think they can
be taken by assault; the moat is too wide to be passed
wi:hout much labs ur ; t' e 14ud is so low, they cannot
be undermined, and they have been bombarded with- •
out any perceptible efUct. The besieged have made
every preparation for defence. I was told by Officers
in the Patriot camp, that the walls were covered with
bomb-shells, ready to be fired and rolled on any as-
saulting party. I hid not much time to make obser-
vations; the boat escaped, and the firing against the
entrenchments recommenced, and even within them it
Was rather warm qua. ters for a disinterested spectator.
On returning to Bellavista, I observed several Officers
collected to see the boat escape, and found among them
the chief Engineer, who is a Frenchman, and speaks a
little English. ' '

It appears that Rodil is most apprehensive of dis.
affection among his troops. He, however, has one
Regiment that he enlisted at Arequipa. in which he
places great confidence. He preserves a most rigid
discipline ; no three persons are allowed to convene •
together privately ; and any sign of discontent is
punished with instant death. At one time a Colonel
spoke to him of their situation, told him the troops were
loyal, and determined to die under his command, in
defence of the Castles, but they were desirous to know
what prospects he bad of success? Rodil immediately
had the troops paraded, informed them that Iris
affairs were desperate, and he did not wish any to re.
main with him who were discontented; but desired
them to use that time to signify their sentiments, and
ordered those who were dissatisfied to ground their
arms, and advance in front. Accordingly, abaft forty
men, including the Colonel and some Officers, marched
out of the line, when he immediately ordered the line
to fire on them, and they were all executed. It was an
awful stratagem to dscover and rid himself of the dis-
affected, and to awe the garrison into future silence. A
few such men as Rodil, would ruin the Patriot cause in
this country, and be worth the Indies to Ferdinand. •

It has been remarked by meteorologists, that when
much r•+in falls at the commencement of winter, it is
<chit= there is a great de.il of snow in the tam- seem).