Star.
London, England, 1812-04-10 00:00:00

ANACREONTIC.

TO JULIA.

I.et us, while. Youth and Freedom last,
Enjoy the passing day,
Forget the melancholy put,
And banish Care away.
Bid lilies spring beneath our feet,
Let roses deck our hair,
And treasures of the violet sweet
Perfume the wanton air

Then bring the blushirg grape along;
Let sparkling goblets shine,
And join wi.h me to raise the song
In praise of rosy wine !
The ready Minstrels all attend
Obedient to my call,
And every dulcet sweet shall blend
To grace the festive ball:
And bid the smiles and sports advance
To crown the laughing hours ;
Se lead me through the mazy dance
And join my hands with yours!
hi joys like these !All pass the day,
The night in soft repose ;
Forgetting In our frolic play
The world, and all its woes !

BADAJOS.

CAROLTWE.

• The following description of Badajas and of the
. manners of the inhabitants, is copied from Captain
.Saoilater's Narrative of the principal events of the
Citnetiigns of 1809, 1810 and 1811 :
" Badajos contains 6 monasteries, the same num-
ber of nunneries, and a pOpulation of 7 or 8000
Vhifortifieations are partly ancient, partly modern :
.. the fine Roman bridge over the Guadiana, is defended
by a tete de /wet, on which a few guilt are mounted.
On the right bank of the river,, stands the fort of St.
Christrival; which commands City. Baj tdos was
1 twieebeileged by the Portuguese, but never taken.
• *. The 14th of October; 1809, being the birth day
of. Ft rdinanda a royal salute was fired from 'the
ramparts.
"In the afternoon there was anumerons assemblage
on the Al Mada, the public promenade, or prado of this
city, near the river, where the inhabitants,nf all rinks,
are acc u ito med to take the air. Several beautiful women
were present, who attracted attention by their engag-
ing, yet not immodest looks, and the graceful ease of
"their ciFtiage. The veil, which is universally worn,
—no longer 'wives to conceal- their faces, and the hide
• wrantik of their simple and elegant dress, is 'admin-
. :::bly adapted to display a fine foim to the best ad-
vantage.
a 4. short religious ceremony, peculiar to this na-
• 'tion is deserving of notice. At sun-set, every even-
f f *t_ bells
of
mg, the
for a few moments. On hearing this signal, the peo-
ple cease conversing with each other and quit their
'occupations, and all in silence, address a short prayer
to the protecting Power, which has brought them in
safetrao the close of another day.
- "'There are no public places of amusement in Ba-
dajos ; but one Lady Donna Payna opens her house
' every night to the best society and the British Offi-
cers, who are received with the utmost politeness.—
Conversaeon, cards, the song and dance, succeed each
other, and form what is called the tertullia, similar in
most respects to a London route.
" On the above evening, the tertullia was particu-
larly well attended. The young and lovely Marchio-
ness D'Almeida and the handsome widow Donna
Manuela, were the admired and principal ornaments
of the assembly. There were several other ladies
present, who maintained the reputation oltheir coun-
try for the beauty of its women. In general, the
Spanish ladies are elegantly formed, and spare no
pains in the decoration of their persons. They are
remarkably mild and engaging in their manner and
address, but few of them speak any language except
their own, and the education of all is extremely con-1
fined. A Spanish lover is certain of seeing his mis- ,
tress, at least, once a day, as nothing but indispose- ;
tion prevents all classes from attending. church. The
Duenna still forms part of the establishment of a Spa.
niqt household, but without her former authority. and
privileges. Ladies of a certain rank never stir
abroad without a female attendant, who, if they are
young, is about their own age, •and more a compa- '
nion disposed to promote their wishes, than a rigid
observer of their actions.
• " About 10 'o'clock', the commander of the forces I
and part of his staff arrived. The widow Donna ;
M.lnuela, accompanied on the guitar by Senhor Fuen-
tes, sung a Spanish ballad in a pleasing style, and ,
with much taste. A country dance was afterwards
formed ; at the end of which, Donna Josepha Bas-
quez danced a bolera, playing the castanets at the
same time, in a most graceful manner. The same ,
'young lady and Donna Payne, in the course of the ,
evening, entertained' the company with their favou-
rite national dance, the fandango.
" The Spanish gentlemen have a natural reserve,
and an appearance of hauteur about them, which, at
first sight, is calculated to displease. They have,"for
some years past, adopted the French mode of dress,
and the Portuguese have followed their example in
this respect. They are remarkably temperate in their !
Ananner of living, although, on particular occasions,
they indulge in drinking hoospiced wines to excess. !
It is the fashion to. dine at an early hour, and all
ranks afterwards take the rivra, at which time, the I
houses and shops are shut trti, and the most populous I
• *city, during this part of the afternoon, appears to be I
quite deserted and wrapt in the silence of the grave.
This is one reason, perhaps, why the British have not I
Iron admitted to their tables, as they may not chuse,i
Aumpf compliment to any foreigners, to forego their'
national customs."

The following are the Sittings appointed in Mid-
_sliest': and London, before Lord ELLmiunouan, in
And after Eater Term, 1812:
IN TERM.
April 20 I Wednesday,
Arra V 5 Monday,
Ally 2 I NI( tiday,
Mqy 8 1 Saturday,
AFTER TERM.
May lz

ItIDDLtSti.
Vfouday,
Saturday,
Irrtday,

LONDON.

k ii,,seday,

April 9.2
April
May 4
May 9

May 19