Star.
London, England, 1825-05-19 00:00:00

CONTINENTAL SOCIETY.

The Annual Meeting of ,this Society, which has for
its object the diffusion of Religinus Knowledge over
the Continent of Europe, was held yesterday, in Free-
masons' Hall, which was crowded with a most respect-
able assemblage of its supporters.
H. DRUMMOND, Esq. took the Chair, supported by
several eminent persons and the Officers of the Society.
The Report of the Committee of last year's pro-
ceedings was read, which detailed the progress of the
Society abroad. It stated, that in France and Ger-
many, if the gross superstition which had so long ex-
isted had in some instances been broken, it had been
by the prevalence of a system of infidelity, phich, while
it struck at the abuses of Christianity, aimed at the
extinction of its vital principles. Theo e were, however,
some people in both countries, who maintain the an-
cient faith uncorrupted. To assist them, the Society
have employed Native Preachers, who ravel in various
parts. In Flanders, in the North of France, Paris, Or-
leans, the course of the Rhine, Switzerland, Spain,
and Hamburgh, Agents have been stationed, who, as-
sisted by Colporteurs, and in some cases by intelligent
Catholics, have effected the objects of the Society, and
diffused the word of GOD amongst a number of
individuals. In every station, Sabbath and Week-day
Schools are establishrd for the education of the chil-
dren. The Report concluded by calling on the Meet-
ing for further pecuniary assistance.
Several Gentlemen then addressed the assembly in
furtherance of the objects of," the Society ; and the Com-
mittee being appointed for the ensuing year, thanks
were voted to the Chairman, and the meeting adjourned.

THE Caops.—The young wheat looks remarkably
well thrcughout Sussex, Surrey, and Kent, and vege-
tation was never remembered to be generally in a more
flourishing state.
The following is an extract of a letter, dated Ma-
ranham, 3d April Lord COCHRANE is on board his
frigate, some miles distant from the city. Very serious
consequences are apprehended from the dryness of the
season. The rains generally commence early in Ja-
nuary, and hitherto we have only had a few partial
showers. It is expected the cotton crop will be very
'small, and an almost total failure of farina and rice:
We have received accounts from Porto Cavello to
the end of March. On the 12th of that month, the
Consul of the United States at that port, had issued
the following notice :
" For the information of the Public, and the Commercial
Community in particular, I have to advise you, that the Intend•
ant of Venezuela has issued Decree, which makes tree from do.
ties on importation, all kinds of Mi:sestres, such as rice, corn,
peas, and beans, for the space of five months.
" Signed, Scc. 46 F. LITCHFIELD."
AN EXTRA ORDINARY.—An avaricious Fen-man,
who kept a very scanty table, dining one Saturday
with his son at an ordinary in Cambridge, whispered
in his ear, 66 Tom, you must eat for to-day and to-
morrow." #6 0 yes," retorted the half-starved lad,
"but I ha'n't eaten for yesterday and to-day yet, father."
Many Germans, it is well known by all who are con-
versant with their pronunciation, substitute the sound of
d for that of th. A Gentleman from Leipsic being
asked how old he was ? replied 66 he was dirty ;" (30,)
and when asked the age of his wife, he answered she
was dirty-two" (32).
RATE Or TRAVELLING IN 1712 AND IN 182.5.
Aeration of the Northern Mails.—Friday last, the pro-
jected acceleration of the mail to Edinburgh took place,
and two coaches now run daily through Newcastle for
the two capitals. The prescribed time for the direct
mail from London to Edinburgh is 46 hours; but it
accomplished the first journey in about 45 hours! As a
contrast to this expedition, we republish the following
advertisement from the Newcastle Courant of 1712.
What a difference I—
" Edinburgh, Berwick, Newcastle, Durham, and London Stags
Coach begins on Monday the 13th October,l7l2. AU that desire
to pass from Eilinbro' to London, or from London to Edinbre, or
any place on that road, let them repair to Mr. John Willie's, at
the Coach and Horses, at the Head of Canongate, Edinbio', every
other Saturday, or to the Black Swan, in Holborn, every other ,
Monday, at both of which pliers they may be received in a Stage
Coach, which performs the whole journey in Miriam days, without
ony donate Gon permit), ha4ing 80 able horses to perform the
whole stage. Each passenger paying ..E4 100. for the whole journey,
allowing each passenger 1101bs. weight, and all above to pay ed. per
pound. The Coach sets.out at six in the morning. Pettormed by
" Humor HARRISON, ROM GARBS,
a Nutt. SIMIGHL, Rpm Caon."

OLD i3AII,EY::.THIk bAk

These **sifts commenced this morning, hefore
Baron HULLOCK, Mr. Justice GAnacau, the Lon!)
MAiou, lIF.CORDIR, &c. at the Justice Hall, in the

Old B iiley.
Wiliam RenyOn, aged forty-one, was put to the bar,
on al indictment charging h'm with stealing a geldin4,
value 251. the property of William English. The pri-
soner, on being called on to plead, said he was Guilty,
but having been admonished by the Court, and informed
that if he persisted in such a course sentence of death
would be passed on him at the end of the Sessions, be
retracted his plea and was put on his trial. The facts
of this case have been so lately reported in the Police
reports, that it is only necessary to state that he was
found Guilty—Death.
Tht re was a second indictment againit the prisoner,
but that was not gone into. •
Daniel Morgan and James Drown, the former eighteen,
and the latter only fifteen ) ears of age, were put to the
bar, charged with burglariously bre eking and entering
the dwelling-house of Henry Mitchell, of Thomas-
ftreet,Grosvenor-square,and attempting to steal therein.
—The prisoners were found concealed in the house
before they could effect the robbery, and taken into
custody. The Jury found them Guilty.

NEW COURT.
John Foord, a decent looking man, was indicted for
stealing an umbrella, value ss. from out of No. 13,
Committee Room, in the House of Commons, on. Fri-
day last, the property of Mr. N. Broadmead, attorney.
The prosecutor deposed, that having business in the
said Committee-room, he went there about one o'clock

in the afternoon, and left his umbrella behind the door;
on his leaving again, and looking after his property,
he missed it. Witness then made enquiry, and traced it
i lA° the hands of an officer : the umbrella now produced
was his property.
John Lane, a messenger in waiting at the room, said,
he saw the prisoner,about three o'clock, on the staircase,
proceeding towards Mr. Bellamy's apartments. Witness
asked him what he wanted ? He replied, a Member of
Parliament, to get a frank. On questioning the pri-
soner respecting an umbrella under his arm, he said he
took it out of-No:1S, Committee-room, having lost one
himself the day before ; he secured that in its stead. An
officer was then sent for, who took him into custody.
The prisoner, in his defence, addressed the Jury at
some length ; he admitted taking the property away,
but not with an intent to steal it, and his intention
was to bring it back again before the Committee broke
up, in the hope of finding his own.
The Commis SZILIZANT summed up the evidence,
and the Jury, without hesitation, found the prisoner
Guilty.

SPORTING INIELLIGENCE.
EPSOM RACES, MAY 16.
The Course was more numerously, as well as more respectably
attended this day than yesterday, but still the attendance of the
beau :Kaiak was extremely deficient. The grand muster is reserved
for to-morrow (this day), and should the weather prove favourable,
it is anticipated that the display of beauty and fashion will exceed
anything which has been witnessed for many years. The demand
for horses in town has far exceeded the supply, and every inn,
lodging, and stable, in the town and neighbourhood of the Downs
have been engaged at the customary race charge.
The weather this day was extremely propitious, and the sport,
although not of first-rate consequence, afforded a good deal of
amusement to the novices. Among he distinguished persons
present, were the Earl of Bradford, Lord Verulam, General
Grosvenor, Sir Geo. Heathcote, Sir F. Burdett Sir H. Lippin.
con, Mr. Benson, Mr. Mayne, acc.—The Races were as follows :
The Craven Stakes of 10 son. each, for 3 year olds 6st. four, ast.
five, Sat. 91b. sit, 9st. lib. and aged, 9st. The last mile and
a quarter.
Mr. Benson's b. e. Comrade, 5 yrs old . 1
Mr. Cooper's bl. h. Streatham, 4 yrs 2
Mr. Sadler's b. h. Triumph, 3 yn
Mr. Yates's b. h. Orator, 6 yn 4
Odds at starting, 7 to 4 apt Streatham, 2 to 1 apt Triumph, 10
to 1 apt the winner. It was an excellent race, but Comrade took
the lead and won by a length, although close pressed by Streatham.
Comrade was rode by F. Buckle, jun.
The Woodcot Stakes of 30 sovs. each, h. ft. for two years old colts,
Bst. 61b. and fillies, 83t. 31fs. The last half mile.
Mr. Walker's eh. c. by Interpreter
Mr. Hyde's ch. f. by Rubens
Gen. Grosvenor's b. f. by Smolensk*

Interpreter was the favourite again* the field. Mr. Hyde's
cbesaut filly took the lead, and With hard work kept it till within
thirty yards of home, when . Dockery, who rode Interpreter, let
go, and won cleverly by two lengths.
The Gold Cup, value 100 Sows. by subscribers of 10 sous. each,
with 20 added from the Base Fund, for 3 yrs old, 6st. 41b. four,
est. five, Bst. 101 b. six, 9st. and aged, 9st. 21b. Mares and geld-
ings allowed 31b. Two miles. The winner of a Plate or Sweep•
stakes in 1825, to carry 31b. of two, 51h. of more, 71b. extra.
The winner to be sold for 250 sou. if demanded, ilc.
Gem Grosvenor's Wings, 3 yrs 1
Mr. North'', names Fitton, 6 yes
Id Verulam's Vitellina, 4 yrs .
Only two were placed, and the race was won cleverly by a length.
F.-Buckle, jun. was again the lucky rider—the odds at starting
were S to '4 agst4Vitellins, 3 to 1 agst Piston, and 10 to 1 agst the
winner, which being entered foe the Oaks, ranked among the
probable., although not named before.
Thirteen horses are expected to start for the Derby. The last
betting' on the Course last night were as follow:

DUST.

2 to 1 apt Rufus
5 to 2 apt Web
6 to 1 apt Muleteer

I 7 to 3 test Bogard'
is to 1 apt Dauntless

oa ics.

5 to 2 apt Tontine
5 to 1 apt Dahlia
6 to 1 apt Pastime
6 to 1 apt Pipylina

9 to I apt Wings
12 to 1 apt First Fly
14 to 1 apt Aline

GOLFING.
Saturday, the Silver Club was played for on the Green of
Glasgow. and won by J. P. M'luroy, Esq. the Silver Medal was
also played for, and won by Duncan le Bean, Esq.
The prize balls given by the Scotscraig:Golf Club at their annual
spring meeting, were played for over the Garpi: Links on Thursday
last, and, after a close contest, won by William Wood, ES+ ma.
chant, Leith.
BOXING. _ _

Tug Seam Mvart.a isms Rzants.—These men had a pliant
fight on Tuesday, near Chalk Farm, in consequence of a boast on
the part of Readie, that he could lick the Sprig in twenty minutes.
The Sprig weighs but eight stone and a half, and Readie b about
ten stone. In the second round the Sprig was thrown heavilyeafter
which he fought cautiously, and finding that be was certain of not
being beaten within the time stipulated, be went to work heavily.
At the eapiratiOn of twenty minutes he left off, being content in
proving that Readie could not finish him so quickly as he thought.—
Had he gone on, the superior weight of Readie must have carried
him through. The winner get a guinea for his labours.
Another fight took place on Monday, in Peckham-fields, between
William Shields, an Lfibernion,and Robert Smout,from 2urjes tend,
for five sovereigns aside. It was a national affair, in which Pat
was resolved to take the shine out of the Welchman, who was
backed by his countryman, Ned Turner. It was as pliant a battle
as has been witnessed for some time. Both men went to work fear.
lessly, and smashed each other in the most finished style. Smout
took the lead, but Shields was not to be told out—he was as game
as a lion, and although severely punished, be succeeded in reaping
the laurels of victory in the twelfth round.