Star.
London, England, 1824-04-21 00:00:00

WOOLWICH, APRIL 20.

There are four large hulks lying off our dock-yard,
filled v ill the convicts that were removed some time
ago from the Penitentiary, Millbank ; and since their
arrival, they have all experienced a great improvement
in their health. Forty of the male convicts are now em-
ployed every day working in the dock-yard, along with
numerous other convicts, who have been serving oat
their time in the old hulks. They are all well fed, and
look healthy and robust. The work in the yard, which
consists in the removal of timber, cables, rubbish, &c.
ceases every afternoon at five o'clock. After that the
men arc sent on board, where many of them employ
themselves in working at any mechanical trade to
which they might have been brought up. Besides food
and clothing, each male convict is allowed Is. 6d. a
week—sixpence of which is given at once, and the re-
maining shilling per week is laid by to accumulate
into a sum, which is to be given to each when the
period of his sentence expires, so that he may be en-
abled to purchase new clothes, and turn himself to in-
dustrious habits.
The female convicts from Millbank, to whom is now
applied the appellation of The Fair Penitents, amount
to about four or five hundred. They occupy two of the
hulks, each having two petty officers on hoard, and are
under the management of their female keepers. If one,
however, can judge from the manners and conversation
of those ladies, it would not appear as if any great feel-
ing of penitence prevails among them. Besides those
who are allowed, at different hours of the day, to walk
on the over decks, clusters of them are constantly
seen at the different portholes; and not a boat or a
vessel passes along that is not assailed by them with all
manner of badinage, and sometimes in language far
from modest or delicate. Twenty shrill voices may be
heard at once, throwing out jests upon such boatmen,
sailors, or passengers, as happen to approadi near
enough to be within the reach of their tongues. To the
great joy of the different officers belonging to the dock-
, yard, none of them are allowed to come on shore. They
seem, however, quite pleased with their present altered
situation, for it was to them a sort of jubilee to be re-
, moved fiom the solitary walls of Millbank, to a place
where they breathe fresh air, are well fed, see the light
of the sun, and the busy world moving about them.
On their first arrival here, they were rather mutinous ;
some of the most robust among the damsels thought
fit to settle their private disputes by pugilistic contests,
and even turned their fistic weapons against the officers,
who interfered to preserve peace and gcod order among
them. How long they are likely to remain here is
quite uncertain.
The two new docks, or rather slips, which were begun
about two or three years ago, are now completely
finished, with the exception of flood-gates, which are
not. yet put up. They are the completest works of the
kind that ever were constructed, and in each of them a
ship of the largest size may be built.—The sloping
bottoms, resting on great piles, and bowled of planks
and stones of enormous size, placed tranversely in
alternate rows, are of uncommon solidity, and the sides
are constructed of vast masses of Scotch granite. They
are to be covered by r oofs resting on massive piles. The
practice of covering in this way all the dry docks where
ships are building is now become general in the King's
yards. They are of great use in protecting the timber
from the effects of the weather, as well as affording
shelter to the workmen. In the dock where the Nelson
was built, the workmen are now making considerable
progress in the construction of a large SO-gun shi,,, to
be called the Thunderer. There is no Commissioner
now attached to this dock-yard, and consequently so
much expense is saved to the Government.

RICH UPHOLSTERY SILKS, &c.

COOPYR and SON, Uolto!ders, No. 93, Bishopsgate-
str,et Within, respectfully solicit the attention of the Nobility and
Gentry to the superb and elegant manufacture of Silk Damasks,
'l'tbourets, &c. which, in consequence of the reduced Duty on
Silk, they are now - enabled to offer on terms so comparatively
moderate as must establish this magnificent description of Furniture
for Drawing-rooms, Boudoirs, Saloons, &e. in preference to the
inferior artii.l:s hitherto in use. Families who prefer the rich and •
beautiful style of the Ancient Gothic, will find some handsome spe-
rcimen,
in that particular order • and as C. and Son are the real,
manufacturers of the articles sold their Ware-rooms, and employ
none but lirst-rate woi kmen, they are enabled, for splendour, taste, I
and so'idity, to compete with any establishment in the metropolis, •
and (they with confidence affirm) at prices decidedly advantageous.
The papering and decorative style of work continued as usual. Ap-
praiiements made, and Funerals furnished, with the greatest atten-
tion to economy.—Ladies and Gentlemen desirous of avoiding the
bustle of the City, will find an easy and pleasant access to Bishops-
gate-street, by taking the route of the New Road and City-road,
through Fiasbury-square.--25, 13ishopsgate-street Within.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO FAMILIES FURNISH-
ING—Hy applying at the real Manufacturer's they will find a Saving
of nearly One-Half. Every article of Furniture manufactured on
the Premises, and Warranted of the best Quality. Sixty different
patterns of Chairs • from Twenty to Sixty Ono% of well.seasoned
Malio,;aily, real iosewood, stained Rosewood, Cottage and Bed-
room Chairs of an colours, ready for 'inspection, and real Rose-
wood nearly as cheap as stained. Card, Sofa, Loo Tables. and Ca.
bluets to match. A large assortment of well-seasoned Mahogany
Sliding Dining Tables of all sizes, Sideboards, Wardrobes,
Drawers, and all other articles of Furniture, too numerous to men-
tioii, at R. Wat.amozost's Manufactory, 214, High Holborn, op-
posite Southampton-street, Bloomsbury-agnate.
MASTER AND SERVANT.—The Glasgoui Courier says
—" An Appeal case came before the Circuit Court of
Justiciary, regarding a servant who had deserted his
se:vice during the currency of his engagement, and
who had been found entitled to full wages• for the
time he served. The case was heard on Wednesday
(the 14th instant) before Lord GuLics, who I eversed
the judgment, and distinctly stated, that it was clear
, a servant who deserts his service, during the curtency
of his emragcment) loses his wages for the time he had
'served: " -