Star.
London, England, 1824-08-24 00:00:00

I

ISLE OF WIGHT REGATTA,

AUGUST 19 An 40.

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There are some scenes of which it is difficult, if not
impossible,
ible for a Reporter to give an adequate descrip-
tion to compensate the loss sustained by such as have
not been fortunate enough to witness it ; and it is but
fair to confess, that this Annual Marine Festival is one
of this description. We shall, however, endeavour to
give the public an outline of the proceedings, in order
that those of our readers who may be familiar with the
shores of the Island, and who may have enjoyed the
sea breeze at times when the solent sea has rolled its
waves with less interruption from the furrowing keel,
may imagine the effect produced when vessels of all
sizes and descriptions, from the ship of war to the
cockle-shell punt, were crowded together in Cowes
Roadstead, in so thick array that it was a matter of
skill and nicety for dr: yachts to manoeuvre among
each other. Whether the Races afforded more sport
than on former years, it is perhaps difficult to say; but
certain it is, that more interest was excited, and that
the Meeting was honoured by more distinguished visi-
tors than on any other occasion. The operations com-
menced on Thursday morning, with reference to the
weather, under favourable auspices; and about eleven
o'clock, an enlivening breeze springing up from the
westward, enabled the pilot vessels of the district (forty-
five in number) to quit the harbour and proceed to the
Roadstead, where they formed in line, led by the
Fidelity (No. l), and the other vessels, with their respec-
tive designating flags, followed in succession, and passed
round the buoys of the Brambles and Middle Bank,
from whence they returned in order into harbour, and
presented to the Sub-Commissioners of Pilotage a most
satisfactory proof of the complete equipment of the
vessels, amidst the acclamations of a vast number of
persons assembled on both sides of the harbour to wit.
Less this not the least interesting part of the spectacle.
The Review concluded by three o'clock, upon which
preparations were made for the Rowing Matches; and
two lines of boats were seen paddling gently up the
harbour, preceded by a band of music, and passing
a!ong the Parade, round the Falcon yacht; and shortly
after, those entered for the first match took the stations
appointed for them, opposite the Parade, which was by
this time thronged with a multitude of persons and
hoes of carriages, as on a race-course, including the
rank and beauty of the Island and the circumjacent
coast. Shortly after the signal gun being fired the
hist contest began, between the Cowes boats, and the.
greatest interest was created both ashore and afloat
The course defined was to the westward round the Falcon
}ache (Commodore Lord YARBOROUGH), stationed off
Cowes Castle, and from thence eastward round Lord
CRAVEN'S yacht Louisa, and the Mayfly cutter, which
was pet formed five times, and after an arduous compe-
tition the race terminated in favour of the Willing
Maid, R. STEPHENS—the second and third prizes being
von by the Nell Gwynn, STEPHENS, and the Lightning,
CORK& To the first three boats were awarded prizes
of seven, five, and two sovereigns. The next party was
now formed, between five galleys from St. Helens, in
this Island, all of precisely the same dimensions, and
rowed by skilful hands : and after a conte3t, to the last
rendered doubtful by their keeping in so close contact
with each other, the victory was decided in favour of
the Dove, BUTT, who received a prize of six sovereigns.
The next day drew more vessels together than the
former; and the wind fieshening, everything combined
to give a brilliant effect to the scene. The yachts were
gaily attired with diversified flags, and the movements
to and fro of the craft, of all sizes and descriptions, pre-
sented a panorama at once unique and animating. At
twelve o'clock, the seven vessels entered for the Sailing
Match were seen to take their stations in a line cff the
Castle, with their sails down and distinguishing flags
at their mast• heads—their respective crews waiting with
Anxious impatience the signal which was to set them in
motion. Presently the gun was heard from the Falcon;
and it is impossible to conceive the alacrity with which
the moorings were dropped, the sails hoisted, and the
vessels running before the wind to the eastward. The
course was round the buoys of the Brambles, and to the
Falcon yacht, through the Roadstead, four times. The
contest between the three foremost vessels was admir-
ably sustained ; and it was not till very near the goal,
that victory was considered decisive in favour of either.
The first prize, of thirty sovereigns, was, however, at
length adjudged to the Argus, WALLIS—the second, of
twenty sovereigns, to the Jane, DAVIDGEand the third,
of twelve sovereigns, to the Cupid, NEWMAN.
The follow* day, an interesting race took place
between three yachts of the Club, for a Sweepstakes of
Ere guineas each, from Cowes toads to the Nab Light
and back ; it was run very closely, arid won by Mr.
WEtri's Julia, Sir GEO. THOMAS'S Eliia coming in se-
cond, and Mr. TALBOT'S Giulia third.
The Club Dinner was held at the Hotel, East Covies,
on Thursday the 19th, and the entertainment, served
op to a party of upwards of 100 of the members and
their friends, was most sumptuous and elegant, consist-
ing of every delicacy the season affords, including a
fine turtle, presented by the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty.—Ag six o'clock the Duke of NORFOLK took the
Chair, supported on his right by Lord Viscount Met-
slue, and on the left by Lord GRANTHAM. Of the
party were—the Earls of CRAVEN, CAVAN, BELMORE,
and hole-nut ; Viscounts DEERHURST and KILCOUR•
Mr; Lords YARBOROUGH, BERESFORD, and H. SIM'
HOUR; Admirals Sir ALEXANDER COCHRANE, Sir JOHN
BERESFORD, Sir F. LAFOREV, LOCKE, and upwards
of twenty Officers of the Royal Navy .2* Sir WILLIAM
CURTIS, Sir GEO. THOMAS, Sir Geo. LEEDS, and Sir
JOHN CuPH, Barts. Sir HENRY FARE, Sir James GOR-
DON, Hon. W. HARE, T.A. Est. M.P. JAMES
Masse, Esq. and a large proportion of Members of
the Club.—Messrs. Evans, Collier, and Fitzwilliam, the
professional singers, attended, and delighted the 'com-
pany with their vocal powers. Appropriate songs fol-
lowed each toast, and the excellence of the music cod-
ctibuted not a little to the enjoyment of the evening.
On the removal of the cloth, Non nobis Doininc was
Ong, and the usual toasts of —" The King"—" The
Duke of York and the Army," and " The Duke of
Clarence and the Navy," were drank, with the accom-
panytlig airs of God save the King, Hots merrily we
la'er and Rule, Britannia ; after which his Grace pro-
Posed " The health of Lord Viscount Melville."
His Lordship, in returning thanks, said it was now
some years since the Club had done him the honour to'
elect him a member ; that he then felt highly flattered
by the compliment, from a conviction of the importance
of the Yacht Club in a national point of view : whil.t
he had been connected with it, he had always felt a
Leep interest in its welfare, and he had no reason to be-
lieve that that feeling would ever cease—(Cheers). His
lordship begged to propose the health of their Noble
1'441114u, the Duke of Norfolk.

Ms Grace assured the Meeting it was a ratter of
great pride to him to have bad his name enrolled on
the Club List.
The Earl of ILCHLST'Itit, at the desire of the visitors,
begged to give—
. grosperity to the Royal Tacks Club," which was drani with
loud applause, as well as the succeeding toast 0f—..." The we of
Wight Regatta."
Lcrd DEIRHURST here rose, and having obtained
permission from the Chair, would give a toast which he
was confident every Gentleman who heard him name
their distinguished guest, would receive with the ap-
probation and applause which his conduct and courage
had entitled him to expect from every Englishman
having the welfare of his country at heart—(Cheers).
While he (Lord Deerhurst) asserted thus much, he con-
ceived he said no more than was due to so respected a,
visitor; he begged also to assure the Military Gentle-
men at table, many of them of high rank and standing
in the Army, that he did it with a full sense of their
merits and of the honour their presence conferred on the
Club ; he would repeat that, without disparagement of
any, he might safely state that the noble person he al-
luded to was as gallant an Officer as any in his Majes-
ty's service. His Lordship begged to propose the health
of Lord Beresford—(Great applause).
Lord BERE3FORD expressed his sense of the honour
done him.
" The health of the Earl of Malmesbury, Governor of the Island
and a Member of the Club," was drank with cheers.
The CHAIRMAN then said, the next toast he would
give was one in which they would all most cordially
join, when he named a Gentleman to whom the Club
was so much indebted—he meant the health of Mr.
Ward, their Honorary Secretary—(Cheers).
Mr. WARD returned thanks for the high honour done
him, and for the estimation in which the Club sere
pleased to hold his services. He would not, after this
plod of their satisfaction, add more, than that the exer-
tions he had used at the formation of the Club, and the
interest he had felt in it during the period of its rise
to its present consequence, would with him continue
unabated— (Applause).
Mr. T. A. SMITH observed, he should, he was sure,
easily obtain leave from the Chair to plopose the health
of a Nobleman, an original and prominent member of
the Club : he was one of the mainsprings of their move.
ments; his example had always inspirited them, and he
(Mr. Smith) believed they were unanimous in wishing
his broad pennant might long be kept flying: he meant
their Right Honourable Commodore, Lord Yarborough
—( Loud cheers).
Lord Yamsoaoucu assured the members of his due
sense of the gratifying manner in which his health had
been received, and his name associated with the Club.
He had no wish more earnest than for the increase of
their number, and a continuance of the spirit and cor-
diality which then animated them ; he was now well
assured he was not mistaken in his opinion of their
value to the maritime interest of the country, by the
support and encouragement they had received from the
Admiralty and the Officers of the Navy; he was now
an old yacht sailor, and he trusted he had not disap-
pointed their expectations during the time he had had
the honour of being their CommoJore; it should be
his constant endeavour to promote their wishes, and,
whether Commodore or not, to join in keeping alive
the spirit of union which then prievailed, so long as he
possesied a yicht, which would probably be as long as
he lived—(Great applause).
' The health of the Naval Officers present was given, with
thanks to them for their kindness and assistance on every octagon."
Admiral Sir ALEx. COCHRANE returned thank..
The next toast was, " The Officers of the Army who have ho-
noured the meeting ith their presence."
General the Earl of CAVAN returned thanks, and ex-
pressed his great gratification at the increase and pro.
sperity of so distinguished a society.
" The Ladies of the Island" was given, and drank with cheers.
About ten o'clock the Duke retired, followed by most of the No-
blemen round him, gad the meeting shortly after dispersed.
Friday, the Race Ball took place at the Hotel, the
Duke of NOILFOLIC and Lord YAILIDOILOUGH, &Mardi ; upwards of
300 persons assembled, and the stewards gave great Satisfaction by
their attention to the company and to the ceremonies of the evening.
Saturday evening, the heavens were illuminated by a display of
fireworks. Those on shore were conducted by Mr. Jones, the
pyrotechnic from Vauxhall; and those afloat were played off
from the Falcon, Lord YARMOILOUGH ; Louisa, Lord Owen; his
Majesty's brig Calliope ; Ruby, Sir Groacts Laws ; Briton, Mr.
Povru.a. ; Unicorn, Mr. Patients, and several other yachts and
King's cutters. Thus brilliantly terminated a Regatta which to
strangers surpassed all expectations, and which has now become an
annual national festival: it will, we are sure, be recollected with
feelings of delight and gratitude by the immense crowd that flocked
from all parts of the kingdom to witness and enjoy it.
Tug WICKHAM Muaosa.—The exertions of the offi-
cers to discover the persons concerned in this transaction
have not yet been attended with success; the most dili-
gent search is making. Saturday afternoon, Taunton,
the police officer, was informed that a labouring man
had, at a public-house in the neighbourhood of Dui-
wich, confessed himself the murderer of the gamekeeper.
Taunton discovered and took the person into custody,
for the purpose of undergoing an examination before
Sir Richard Birnie. A rusty gun was found at the
lodgings of the self-accused.
LIMERICK, Ana. 18.— At the funeral of the mur-
derers of the much-lamented Major Hare, which took
place on Thursday, there were upwards of 7000 persons
assembled, through which, on his way from this city to
Killarney, the Right Hon. Secretary GOULEURN and his
suite had to pass with a slow motion.
A singular circumstance occurred at Great Marlow'
Races. An elderly Lady, who had been lame for above
ten years past, was so alarmed at a horse which she ex-
pected to run over her, that her life was despaired of
for some days; she however recovered from her alarm,
and what renders the occurrence remarkable, is she has
been perfectly free_from lameness ever since.
The following is a genuine copy of a letter addressed
some years ago to a Lady of fortune at Portsmouth, up-
wards of fourscore years of age, by a French prisoner
of war at Porchester Castle:—
" Porcbester, Madam,—Me rite de English very legit, and me am
very fears you no saave vat me speak ; but me be told dat you vane
one very fine mans for your hosband; upon my soul me love you
very well, and thou you be very old woman, and very cross, and
very ugly, and all de Devil, and the English no like you, upon my
soul me have one great passion for you, and me like you very weal
for all dat ; and me be told dat de man for you must be one very
den man, and no love de drink, me be all alit ; indeed me be one
very grand man in France,itpon my soul me be one Count, me have
one grand eqUipage in Prance, and me be very good for de esprit ;
indeed me be one grand beau:a-la-mode, one Wilder in de regiment ;
me be very good for the Engleterres ; indeed you be one very good
old woman upon my soul; and if you have one iodination for one
man, me be dat Gentleman for you, one grand man for you ; me
will be your hosband, and take de care for yourself, for de house,
for de garditt, for de Schoff, for de drink, and for de little child,
dat shall come ; upon my soul me kill risyst•lf very soon, if you no
love me for this grand amour. Me be, Madam, your great gavel
votre tree humble serviteur, " PRES A BOIRX"
ANTIPATHIES.
Let him who bates dancing ne'er go to a ball,
Ntie.him to the ocean whom dangers appal ;
0 Nor him to a feast who already has aired,
Net hint to i court who will speak out his mind.