Star.
London, England, 1809-04-08 00:00:00

BY JOIIN MAYNZ.

First of the Spring, that smiles on Ine,
I pay my early court to thee !
But, well-a-day ! how chang'd the scene
Since, erst, I bail'd thee on the green !
Then, Life and Love were in their prime—,
Then, Winter smill like Summer-time !
Now, Life and Love are on the wing—
Now, Winter riots In the Spring!
And, e'en in Summer, nought I see
But drizzling show'rs, and blights, for me;
With frequent coffins passing by--
Sad monitors that Death is nigh !
Oh! when that solemn hour shall come
Which seals my passport to the tomb,
Be Faith, and Resignation, mine,
And, that sweet soother—Hope divine !

First of the Spring, that smiles on me,
Again I pay my court to thee!
May no rude hand profane thy sweets—
No caitiff bawl thee through the streets!
Or, if thou art displanted there,
To grace the bosom of the Fair,
0 ! teach Simplicity to them,
Who never knew the peerless gem!
Bid Beauty emulate the bee,
And gather sweets from ilow'rs like thee!
Tell those by Error led astray,
That Wisdom is the only way
Which leads to purity like thine—T
Which leads to ev'ry Grace divine!

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings
last, the young Gentlemen of Doctor BURNEY'S Aca-
demy, Qosport, gratified their numerous friends with
their Annual Play. The selections on the present
occasion were as follow :
Cato.—The Prologue spoken by W. M. Hon .
Cato - - - - I. CAM,tLL.
Setup ouius - - a W. M. HOMILY.
Lucius * - . G. Symes.
Decius - - . . G. RAT II IT.
Marna/ - - • - E. BURRA ft D.
_ v A. G. BAuurrTr.

After which the Play of The Merchant of Venice,
altered for the occasion, Prologue, written by H. J.
PYli. Esq. ; spoken by I. MISSING. The Epilogue,
by R. BECHER and G, LYON.

pRAMATIs IERSOINJE.
Bagsanio, . I. Missioq.
Antonio, (the Merchant of Venice) R. &cut R.
Gratiano, - - - - G. Lyos.
Sol.nio, - • - - C. I. LANCE.
Solarino, - - 1. BEcil ER.
Launcelot, - - - - H. CAL:3I=OT.
Gobbo, - - I. F. GODDEN.
Balthazar,/ a
(..ervants to Portia) HARMN.
Pietro, P. DuvA L.
Leonardo, (servant to Bassanio) I. C. STYLE.
Tubal, - - - I. Ivimv.
Gaoler, e - I). DUMARESQ.
Duke, - - - I. HARRIS.
Mororchius, (Prince of Morocco) F. Pmou.
Sbylock, - - - - Mr. BURN.
Portia - - - - B. STOW.
Senators, Attendants, &c. &c.

We have merely to remark that the Doctor's well
known liberality has not on any former occasion been
more conspicuously displayed, as no expence has been
spared that could possibly add to the treat. The sce-
nery and dresses, which were new, were both elegant
and appropriate, and the performance such as we had
been led to expect from the well-known abilities of
the masters. It would far exceed the limits of our
paper to make the remarks we cannot but feel justly
due to the several performers; and since we cannot
in justice to our own feelings make an invidious dis-
tinction in their respective merits, we shall merely
observe that the performance would have reflected no
small degree of credit on a company of veteran per-
formers, and was very highly applauded each night
by a numerous audience, consisting of the office's of
the garrison, together with the principal families for
many miles round.

Captain SINDEN is not again to join the Waggon
Corps, but is immediately to be placed on half-pay.
The volunteering from the 2d Somerset Regiment
of Militia, commanded by Lord HINTON, to the 9th
and 40th Regiments of the Line, commenced last
week at Weymouth ; such was the spirit of this fine
body of men, that in a few hours, near 300 (the
complement required) volunteered their services, and
were sworn in.

Tuesday last, three horses started for the Easter-
plate, on Barham Downs, which was won by Mr.
Howard's black horse, after affording excellent sport.
Tuesday last was run, on the Bibury course, a
match between Mr. Sadler's brown mare and Mr.
Bloss's brown gelding, tw ) miles for 50 guineas,
which was won by the former.—A good race.
In the course of the last four months, the Berkley
hounds have killed upwards of 4.0 brace of foxes, in
consequence of which the price of poultry is consi-
derably lowered in Hertfordshire.

A very alarming fire broke out early on Wednes-
day morning at Hailsham, in the itewly-erected
brewhouse of Mr. BENNETT, which threatened the
immediate destruction of that building ; the whole of
which must have been laid in a heap of ruins, but for
the prompt aid afforded by the Barrack engine, with
a plentiful supply of water, which soon arrested the
progress of the devouring element. The exertions
and ready assistance of Mor BUSBY, commanding
in the barrack, and Captain BUCKOLL, and Lieutenant
OWDEN, all of the Sussex Militia, preserved order and
regularity among the soldiers, who with the inhabi-
tants, appeared to vie with each other in their efforts,
till all danger was removed. The cause of the fire
is not yet ascertained, and the damage is very con-
siderable.

Sunday night, about twelve o'clock, as Mr. Shore,
of the Roebuck, Maidstone, was returning to his home
he met a tall man, who he supposes might be from
40 to 50 years cf age, between the Alms-Houses and
his own house, with a bundle of hop-poles; Mr.
S. accosted the man, and asked how he came by
them, his reply was, he had got them from Hol-
lingbourne. Mr. S. not satisfied at the answer, took
hold of him, but in the struggle he made his escape,
leaving behind the hop poles, two foils, and two
sheep-skins, which are supposed to have been stolen
by him.