Star.
London, England, 1831-05-04 00:00:00

POLAND.

I invite my readers to make a rapid journey to the
Ancient provinces of Poland ! The climate is not so in-
viting. The Heavens aro never so serene. The people
are not so polished, and you cannot recline in groves of
oranges, or on terraces of myrtle. Bot yet, in the words
" Courland" and " Volhynia," there is something of music
to my ear, for with them I connect associations ever favour- I
able to the cause of liberty, and now additionally dear, after I,
the splendid and unequalled conquest of the modern Poles.
Let us, then. for a little while, devote our attention to Cour-
,and and Volhynia.
Courland was formerly a Duchy of Europe ; 250 miles
long and 40 miles broad—bounded by the Baltic—Livonia
and Poland. For centuries it was a province of Poland—
but in 1795 it was annexed by the law of force and might
to the dominions of Russia ; and from that period com-
menced its misfortunes. The country is undulated and
fertile. Its soil is productive, and its people brave. But
I{u.-lan domination has crushed instead of raising, and
enfeebled instead of invigorating. It was a healthy plant,
• and vomised well—but it has grafted an old, diseased, and
wretched tree—and it had well nigh porished. Its forests of
pines and fir, and its groves of oak, are profitable to Rus-
sian cupidity, and to the absolute government of the
Emperor—but it has received nothing in return but or-
ders to levy troops, pay contributions, and remain oppressed
and ignorant—unhappy and quiet. Its capital, Mittau, has
been allowed to remain unimproved, and its walls and
moats have gone to decay. Its Lutheran population has
indeed sighed for liberty and regeneration ; but these wishes
could not be acceded to by an Imperial Despot I One
generation has passed away since the States voted the
Union to Russia but there be those still living who,
pointing to the Old Ducal Palace, yet speak of the days
when Courland was independent and Sovereign ! The
successes of the Poles in Russian Poland have excited
the hopes and raised the courage of the brave Courlandese
—and they will no longer submit to that iron despotism
which renews its demands in proportion to the degree of the
obedience of its subjects. Alas ! we know but too little of
the details. It is there as in Turkey that men are arrested,
strangled, or drowned, because it suits the pleasure of the
governor, or the will of the autocrat. But this we know,
that the people have risen, that the Emperor of Russia has
learnt this' afflicting intelligence,' and has declared Cour-
land in a state of war. From Berlin, Vienna, and the fron-
tiers of Prussia, we are assured that the revolution marches,
that all Germany will soon bo in arms; and that if the
cause of liberty has not been successful in southern climes,
it will be crowned with a glorious triumph in the north.
Volhynia also claims our notice, and is entitled to our
sympathy. It is also in a state of revolution. A Palatinate
of Russian-Poland, but belonging now to Russia, it is two
hundred and twenty miles long, and one hundred and thirty
miles broad. It is bounded by Polesia, Kiof,Podolia, and Aus-
trian Poland I I Its plains are fertile, and well watered—and
in its capital, which is Loutzk, are to be found many a de-
scendant of those brave Poles who fought for the indepen-
dence of the old kingdom of Poland. Here the intelligence
of the successes of their Polish brethren at Warsaw and on
the banks of the Vistula and Bug has excited a determina-
tion to be free. They have too long endured the oppression
of the Court of St. Petersburgh, and they will submit no
longer.

From Volbynia we have to-day received the most gratify.
lug intelligence. Dwernicki has entered Volbynia. When
he left Zamoski he had 10,000 brave Poles along with him.
He passed the Bug at Uscelug, and at Krzemeniez he was
received, on the Ilth day of the month of April lest, with
transports of delight by the students of the University, and
by the whole population. We have this news from Vienna,
as well as from Berlin. Volhynia is, by this time, in full
insurrection. Marshal Diebitsch has undertaken an ar-
duous task. To the North he has Lithuania and Cour-
land, and to the South he has Volhynia and all Poland
in insurrection. He will, doubtless, make another des-
perate effort ; but it will, indeed, be desperate, and from
that hour we may commence the history of " The De-
cline and Fall of the Russian Empire." To live to wit-
ness that fall would be quite enough happiness for any
one generation. The Russian empire is the great barrier to
the progress of liberty, education, and, indeed, civilization.
When this colossus shall be destroyed, reason, truth, and
justice may commence their long and happy reign. Let us
then, rejoice together at these insurrections in Courland
and Volhynia, and let us heartily desire that they will be
eminently successful and permanently victorious.
The news from the Polish army is preparatory to ano-
ther great battle. The skirmishes or lesser conflicts have
been decidedly in favour of the Polish arms. Yet Diebitsch
li,ts succeeded in his retreat, and his army, though discou-
raged and dispirited, diseased and disorganised, is still pow-
erful and numerous. It is of no use misrepresenting the
:rue state of our opponents. On the 17th the armies of
itossia and Poland were within sight of each other. Each
was preparing for a bloody conflict. Should Diebitsch
defeated, his cause is irretrievably lost ! Should
he be successful, he would press onwards again to War-
-Ayr, and then as a conqueror he would offer terms. But
his proposal will be rejected ! Dwernicki, with Volliynia in
arms, will be soon there to defeat him : even a momentary
success will not be a permanent defeat. Diebitsch will
tight to the last ; but dispatches, which be had sent
to Saint Petersburgh, have been intercepted, and these
demonstrate that he is dispirited, hopeless, and sad. The
reports whit.h are published at St. Petersburgh are mutilated
and altered. The Russian Government dare not speak the
truth : the Russians are kept in ignorance, for the Emperor
fears a general movement. The defeat of the Poles is
necessary to the integrity of his empire, and be will do
all he can to insure it ; hut the march of events is too power-
ful for him, as it is for M. Casimir Perrier. The insurrec-
tion in Volhynia, and the revolution in Courland, have sadly
disturbed them both. The Emperor is disturbed, because
be feels that his Throne is tumbling ; and our President of
the Council is disturbed, because he wants the French Re-
volution to be even popular at St. Petersburgh, and he knows
that this cannot be the case whilst Nicholas shall see one of
its results to be the decline, and ultimate fall, of his own au-
thority !

We are all now awaiting the next news from the head
quarters of the Polish army with anxiety and hope ! One
more decisive battle in favour of the Polish cause would
overthrow the army of Russia. Let us hope then for the
best, and in the absence of any positive intelligence, let us
make ourselves warm with the thought that Poland is free !

LORD CLIFFORD.—Thie nobleman died on Friday, at his
seat in Devonshire. His Lordship was one of the Catholic
Peers whom the bill of 1829 allowed to Catholics to take
their hereditary seats in the legislature. He was in his 72d
year, and little known by any share he took in politics.—
He married the youngest daughter of the late Lord Arundel,
by whom he had a large family. The present Lord Clifford
is in his 40th year, and married to the daughter of Cardinal
Wt Id, who since the death of his lady has entered the Ca-
tholic Church. The family of Clifford, whence the noble
lord is lineally descended, is one of the most ancient among
our ancient nobility.

PANORAMA OF THE FII IT7SH
EMPIRE.
LEICESTER CTITIMFIRIE, APRIL 30.
LEICESTER, SATVIDATe—WheId, 78 ; Rye, 60s; Barley, 48s 10d;
Oats, 211. 2d ; Beans, 43e Id ; Peas, 39; Fine Flour, 86s to 805;
Standard Wheaten 57s to 68s; Household, 66s to 68s ; lmner!) Loaf,
Wheaten, lld ; Ditto, Household, 10d.
.MARRIED.—Mr. Davis, bookseller, to Martha, seven
of Mr. Austin.—John \Yawn. Esq. banker, ker of Sarre,
shire, to Harriet, eldest daughter of Richard Thomas Dixie, Esq. of
Gaily Deg House, in the same county.
DIED.—At Walwortb, Mr. Win. Adcock, of the house of C. N.
Rothschild, Esq.
CHELTENHAM JOURNAL, MAT 2.
AIIIVALS.—Lord J. Stewart, Lady Williams, Compte Zabeilo,
Sir R. Price, Sir R. and Lady Phillips, Colonel and Mrs. Boughton,
Colonel an:1111es. Crowder, Colonel Bowyer, Colonel Slaule, Colonel
Wood, Colonel Wollerson, Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Watson, Lieut.-Col.
Gray, Major and Mrs. liamerton, Major Mahon, Major Lewis, Capt.
and Mrs. Hepburn, Captain Macdonald, Captain Anstice,
Dawes, Captain Collier, Lieut. Jones, R. N. Mr. W. Molyneuf,arit
Dr. Dolcoley, Dr. Griffith, Dr. Wolaeley, Rev. Mr. Street.
Friday last, pursuant to a requisition, a meeting was convened at
the Imperial Pump-room, to consider the propriety of addressing his
Majesty, in expressions of loyal and grateful feeling, for his having
exercised his just prerogative in dissolving the late Parliament for the
good of his people. About two o'clock, carriages, horsemen, and
crowds of people, reinforced by a considerable number of freeholders
from the country, began to move through the long and beautiful ave-
nues of the Imperial Spa, and formed a very animated and exhilarating
sight. The room of the Imperial Spa was completely filled, and be-
fore the proceedings commenced, almost double the number of persons
contained in the room, were compelled to turn back. It was a proud
day for Cheltenham. Upon no similar occasion was there ever so full
and so respectable a body of persons assembled. The orchestra was
entirely occupied by lathes.
MARRIED.—Wm. Cooper Cooper; Esq. eldest son and heir of W.
D. Cooper Cooper, Eaq. of Toddington, in Bedfordshire, to Laura
Georgina daughter of Thorns, Ellis, Esq. of Ty Duy Park, Mon-
monthshire.—John Kennsway, Esq. to Emily Frances, daughter of the
late Thomas Kingacote, Eaq.
DIED.—At Gloucester, Frances F. Brockholes, daughter of the
late Wm. Fitaherbert Brockholes, Esq. of Claughton Hall.—At Al-
stone Green, Mr. John Roberts.—At Boddington, Robert, youngest
son of the late John Arkell, Esq.
NOTTINGHAM AND NEWARK MERCURY,
APRIL 30.
It is proposed at this important crisis, that a requisition be addressed
to the High Sheriff, to call a meeting of the county, for the purpose
considering the propriety of presenting a petition to his most Gracious
Majesty, praying him to dismiss from the situation of Lord Lieutenant
of the county of Nottingham, his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, and
to replace him by a Nobleman less inimical to the British Constitution,
and to civil and religious liberty, and more talented to fulfil the duties
of so important a situation.
Last Saturday night, Lady Parkyns' summer house, a pleasant
rural retreat, :war Ruddington, was fired by some malicious incendiary,
who has hitherto eluded justice.
SHIPLEY WATERS.—The character of these waters may now be
said to be permanently established. By drinking the waters during the
last season, telief has been obtained by numbers of persons afflicted
with diseases of many years standing, and are therefore sought after
with eagerness by others for a supply.
Average Price of Corn bought in Nottingham market, for the week
ending yesterday week. Imperial measure : Wheat, 31 17s fid per qr.
Barley, 21 4s 10d ; Oats, 117 s 8d ; Beans, 21 Is 4d ; Flour, 21 14s.
SATURDAY'S CORN 31ARRET.—We had a good supply of wheat,
both English and Foreign. Fine samples, Is to Is per quarter lower,
inferior rather more; not much doing in any other grain ; prices about
the same.
MARRIED—On Saturday last, by the Rev. J. Butler, Mr. H.
Nightingale, to Miss Fox—Sir. Elijah Hudson, lace.manufacturer, to
Miss Maria Smith.
DIED.—Mrs. Allinson, relict of Nathaniel Allinson, Esq. M.D.—
At Harhern, Loughborough, Miss Sarah Cooper, 76.
DERBYSHIRE COURIER, APRIL 30.
PRESENT STATE Or THE GROWING CROPS IN THE HUNDRED
or SCASSDALE.—The early sown wheats upon fellows and dry soils
have a healthy and promising appearance ; they greatly improved during
the last month, but the late sown (particularly on wet strong land) look
very weak, and short of plant, so much so, that whole fields have been
mown with oats this spring ; many fields where this plan has not been
adopted, cannot produce half a crop. Lands that were well adapted foe
wheat, but sown late, have suffered dreadfully, owing to the succes-
sion of heavy cold rain that fell immediately after seed time, and
when the plant did maim its appearance above ground, it was so weak
and puny, that it could not contend against the succeeding severe
bare frost, but was to a great extent destroyed, which must prove
an immense loss to the farmer. The wire worm which may
be called the farmer's seourge—coming like the thief in the night, un-
looked for, unwished for, and whose ravages, no precaution or system
of farming yet known can guard against—is making sad havoc amongst
many growing crops, particularly on clover lays. The spring seed time
has bem a very favourable one. Oats came up with a strong healthy
blade, and if the succeeding weather should prove genial, there can
be no doubt of en abundant crop of this grain. The loss that farmers
will sustain by the rot in sheep, will in many instances be ruinous;
nearly whole and valuable flocks of sheep have died of this dread-
ful disease, but the loss as yet cannot be ascertained, as they sae
still dying in great numbers, and the survivors in many situations
cannot be turned to any good account. Such an effect had the wet cold
season of last year upon clay farms. that numbers of horned cattle have
suffered seriously ; when slaughtered, their livers have been found
covered with the same disease as that which has proved so fatal to sheep,
and many store cattle, though kept well, look poor and unhealthy. It
is generally remarked that the bay of last year, though got well, is not
near so nutritious, and the cattle fed on it do not yield near so much
milk and butter as usual. The corn produce of last year being so
miserably deficient on clay farms, added to other losses, have made the
present the most unproductive season to that class of farmers in this
quarter, of any in the memory of the oldest inhabitant.
Tian NOVO WELLS.-The approaching anniversary of well-dressing
in the rural village of Tissington, in this county, will be celebrated this
year, with its usual convivial amusements; and as moat of the inhabi-
tants have contrived to brew a bushel of malt to regale and enliven the
hearts of their friends and acquaintances, the whole is expected to go of
with an eclat superior to that of any previous display. The decorations,
&c. are intended to be of the most splendid kind, and a very excellent
band of music, consisting of the best performers in the neighbourhood,
will be in attendance during the day.
SEAGULLS.—We are situated SO far inland that any thing seen ap-
pertaining
to the ocean, excites considerable attention. It was there.,
.bserved with surprise that seven seagulls were a few days ago
flying over the town of Chesterfield in a north-easterly direction. We
believe these birds have occasionally been seen singly, and have even
been shot in the neighbourhood, but were never before noticed in such a
number, or in flight.
At the sale of Ma Pearson's effects last week, at Nottingham,
a number of curious end antique articles which sold for very=
prices, a lock of Napoleon's hair fetched the sum of seventeen shillings I
We have every reason to believe that the statements which hare ap.'
geared in the Scotch newspapers, relative to the probability of tile
Lord Chief Baron of Scotland being appointed Speaker of the House
of Commons, will, on the assembling of the new parliament, be
found to be correct.
• COURT OF Kiwo's lintcu.—On Monday last, the court made
absolute a rule for a new trial which bad been previously granted in the
cause" Webster v. Nelson and others." It was an action brought by
Mr. Webster, surgeon of Heckmondwike, against the proprietors of
the Courier Leeds and London coach, to recover compensation in
damages for injury sustained by the upsetting of the coach near Not.
tin ham, ea its way from Leeds to idon. The case was tried
before Mr. Bunn Garrow, at the Nottingham assizes, when the NW'
diet was returned for the plaintiff, with 200 L clammy!.
CHESTERFIELD CORN MARKET, April 23.—Wheat, per quarter,
74s to 78s; Bosley, 40s to 44s ; Oats, 26s to 30s ; Beans, 48s to MI:
Asxaouaw Coax MAMMY, April 23.—W heat, per qr. 72s to 825;
Barley, 42s to 464 ; Oats, 28s to 34s ; Beans, 40s to 48s.
MARRIED:—Henry H. Hewitt, Esq. of Lichfield, to Sark*
daughter of the Rev. D. J. Burdett.
DIED.—At Lead Hill, Brampton, James, son of Mr. John Shim-
well.—At Repton, Thos. Walton, Iraq. 88.—At Coxbench, Mr. Joseph
Stables, 78.—At Butterton, near Leek, Mr. William Harrison, late of
Greenlowhead, 76.—Elisabeth. wife of Mr. Joseph Lathbury, ism
Burton-upon-Trent, 30.

The 31st Annual Meeting of the Church Missionary
Society took place yesterday morning at Exeter-hall. Lord
Gambier presided. The Rev. T. Woodroffe read the report
of the last year, which stated that the receipts amounted to
46,0001. The Archdeacon of Lichfield moved that the re-
port be printed, which was seconded by the Hon. Rev. B.
Noel. The auditory consisted of about 3,000 persons, the
greater part of whom were well-dressed females.
The Bristol mail was upset on Saturday morning last, as
it was leaving Cardiff for Bristol; three passengers, the
coachman, and guard, were seriously injured. One gentle li
-
man, the Rev. John Newton Coffin, lies in a most precarious
state at the house of T. Guest, Esq., from a compound frac-
ture of the thigh, and other injuries; another was very
much hurt, the back of his head laid bare, and severe con-
tusions about his body. Neither guard nor coachman has
been able to work since.—The Cambrian.