Star.
London, England, 1809-09-19 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

General rnAstrt and Itmily have arrived at Ports-
.tricnnth, trnm Guernsey
Yesterday morning the first division of the 14th and
sod regiments disembarked at Portsmouth ; as did
Colr'nel COCHRANE'S battalion, to take up their quar-
ter; in Fort Cumberland.
The Worcester and Renfrew Regiments of Militia
nompecl yestet day morning on South Sea Common,
and the Inverness-shire Militia are expected there
daily to take up the vacant ground.
About goo more sick landed yesterday at Ports:
the 51st were to disembark there this
month ;and

day.
The 2d battalion of the 14th Foot, under the corn•
mod of that most excellent Officer, Colonel McHots,
have only lost ten men by sickness and the sword,
although they lay in :lie trenches before Flushing.
Extract of a letter from a Colonel in the Army, to
his Magi at Faversham, in Kent, dated Island of
Wakheren, Sept. 9, 1809:

a DEAR stn--h grieves me to the heart to be under the ne-
cessity to communicate to you, the death of our worthy and re-
spected friend, Major HiU. of the with Regiment, which took
place an the 7th inht. at Middleburg, and yesterday he was inter-
red in a private and respectable manner.
“ :is a worthy and upright man he died in the estimation of
all all that knew him, and no man regrets him more than myself."

DEAL, SEPTEMBER 17.
?‘TRACT FROM A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN THE
EXPEDITION TO THE SCHELDT.

u I landed here on Friday evening from Flush-
in, which I left yesterday. Sir Eyre Coote remains
in command of Walcheren, with 16,000 men. I en-
close you the names of the regiments, as well as their
state, that you may see how sickly they all are ; in-
deed, they continue to bury eight or nine men of
a.clay. The Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel CA PIM is ar-
rived in the Downs, with dispatches from Lord CtrAr-
BA 1 ; he has been on board the VALIANT, :tree days,
‘riting for a wind, and confirms the dreadful state of
sickness of the army.

4, Every arrangement is making to repair the ford-
fication!round Flushing ; but, from the debility of the
troops, the work goes on slowly ; all theguns and stores
of every de,cription were brought from South Bev&
land, and there is no thinking man that does not ap-
prove of the resolution (however reluctantly adopted)
by tile Commander-in-Chief, of relinquishing all fur-
ther operations against the Scheldt.
0 Vie gun boats are, with bombs, posted all round
:Le island, by Rammekens and Vere ; and the ene-
my, last night, were so much on the beach at South.
Borland, as to cause a considerable firing at night:•
Vere is quite within range of shells, from Beveland ;
elf course, ships with merchandise, indeed, all vessels,
must soon quit it, the Instant the enemy eitabliih
mortar batteries, which they Will icon. Sir H Pop-
MASI !lays; scidoes 'Admiral OTWAY. WakheTCll-
- never be able to supply ;tail with provisions
myr.;!!.zi an additional number of souls, amounting
to 16,000. The hospitals are full, and the sickly sea."
son but just begun.
The following are the Regiments left, as they
ri?.br;gaded

Vi Liglit Dragoons-60 effective, none sick.
113 y,! Artillery-771 effective, 250 sick, total 1021.
ILn:.l7.ngineers-150 effectivo, 50 sick, total 200.
General Rottenberg's Brigade :
GEtth Regiment-439 effective, 316 sick, total 753.
::st-603 effective, 359 sick, total 942.
25a1-437 effective, 132 sick, total 569.
General Allen's trigade :
.st German Legion-477 effiectivo, 297 ski, total 704.
sd Ditto-405 effbetive, 205 lick, total 610.
Colonelliays's Brigade :
..Regiment-784 effective, ISO sick, total SSC
5;11-4t3 effective, 431 sick, total 914.
I;tt —4:O effective, 310 sick, total 730.
General Ackland's Brigade :
Reztanent-208 effective, 217 sick, total 1125.
;Gth-544 (L'ective, 189 sick, total 732.
32d-366 &mire, 192 sick, total 555.
Major-General Diott's Brigade :
6th Regintect-450 effective, 496 itk, total 941.
SNh-323 effective, 332 sick, total 855.
91E-151 effective, 205 sick, total 636.
Brigadier-General Btowne's Brigade :
25d Regiment-154 effective, 244 sick, total OS.
33:t-4r, 3of 187 sick, total 6.55.
26:1k-51s effectivei 236 sick, total 784.
Major-General Montresor's Brigade :
!VI Regiment-523 effective, 129 sick, total 632.
38th-453 effective, 352 hick, total 805.
17th-262 effective, ^B4 sick, total 546.
SO RoyJ Staff Corps-160 Waggon Train.

" Lieutenant-Colonel CAPRI., and Lieut.-Colonel
(J'PREY, were left at the head of the Adjutant-Gene-
departMent, as they were actively employed in
that department during the Whole of the siege, and
t:y both speak the language fluently. When Sir
ETPF.C;)OTE was appointed Governor, they both left
the Island, a;;:1 Lieut.-Colonel WALsw, a very intelli-
Ofiker, remains."

Captain BARCLAY is arrived in London flom Walk
deren, two stone heavier than when he completed his
.arduous undertaking, from which ht does not feel any
In effects.

Another division of the troops of the Duke of
lISIINSWICK ()ELS, landed on the Isle of W:wiltip on
xitorday last ; on which day his Serene Highness
accepted the invitation of Sir MiltßY WORSLEY
Hum's, Bart, to a grand dinner, at his house in
Newport ; at which his staff, and the principal mili-
*Y officers and gentlemen of the island, were enter-
tained.

OPENING OF COVENT °ARDENT/MITRE.

At so early an hour as one o'clock yesterday all the
avenues leading to Covent Garden were thronged
with numerous parties proceeding to witness the open-
ing of the new Theatre. Great numbers forced their
way over their on ballustrades towards Bow.street, and
by this means succeeded in gaining the main doors
into the Theatre several hours before the appointed
time of opening. The windows and roofs of the ad-
joining houses were also filled with spectators, but
the females were, comparatively, less numerous than
the opposite sex. Indeed, upon our admission to the
interior of the Theatre afterwards, we do not think
that fifty females could have been counted among
the whole audience.

On the opening of the doors at the usual hour the
house was immediately filled throughout by an au-
dience which certainly had not the appearance of
, being very select : some attempt was made to keep
boxes, but they were immediately forced, and the
pit, according to all report, had the appearance of
being full, as an Irishman would say, before any
body obtained admission !—The house has been al-
ready accurately decribed ; it is every thing a Theatre
should be, spacious and compact. Except that the
private boxes occupy too much room, every part of
the audience is well accommodated.—When illumi-
nated the effect of the interior is delightful ; the pre-
' vailing colours being light brown and white, nothing
glares upon the sight.—The pit, and lower gallery
are very capacious, and the seats of the upper gallery
are actually as good as those of the upper boxes,
being included in the same circle.—The lobbies
of the Theatre are lighted with patent lamps ; but
in the area, richly cut lus:res are suspended as
usual, furnished with wax lights, which produce a
very brilliant effect. —The tout ensemble of the inte-
rior of the Theatre is that of extreme neatness.—
The avenues are grand and magnificent. Soon after
entering the Great Box Door, in Bow-street, we ascend
a flight of about twenty broad stone steps, between
two rows of beautiful columns, painted in imitation of
porphyry. This part of the entrance is lighted by
bronze antique lamps, arranged among the pillars in
such a manner as to give a most romantic appearance
to the scene. From this stair-case we enter the Grand
Saloon, where we are gratified with a most excellent
statue of SHAKESPEARE, placed in a capacious nich.
The next object which excites attention is the Lobby,
which is somewhat more limited in its size than that
of the former building, but far exceeds it in point
elegance of decoration ; of statues of Bacchus, Po-
mona, &c. &c. are tastefully placed on both sides,
and the accommodation for the frequenters of this
part of the Theatre, has been successfully.studied.
—There are doors of mutual communication with
every 'part of the house, which are kept closed, but
may be opened in a minute in any case of emergency:
one of these, communicating with the stair-case of the
upper boxes, and the two shilling gallery, was last
night forced, and it was with great difficulty a gene-
ral mixture of the company was prevented from tak-
ing place.

—On the rising of the curtain a most classical drop-
scene was exhibited, resembling the interior of a Tem-
ple, devoted to dramatic poetry, in which SlimcnspeAß
was the most conspicuous figure, a general clamour
burst forth, that quire overpowered the applause be-
kowed upon the work of the artist. The opening
music was 0614 d—but the uproar continued—" GOD
rave the Xing" succeeded; the song sung by the whole
vocal force of the Company—‘, Rule Britannia" fol-
lowed—still the storm rattled.—Mr. Ketanix appear-
ed—it increased to a dreadful. hurricane. He com-
menced his Address ;—not a syllable could be heard ;
we have, however, procuivd the following copy of it :

In early Greece, and in a barbarous age,
A wre:c:eti tumbrel was the Actor's Sage:
The Muse, with cheek reclin'd in pensive shame, • •
Blugh'd for her wanderers from the path to Fame.
Asehylus ;prang ;—and stcrm'd, as he arose,
His Country's passions, like his Country's foes.
Rough from the ba•tle, train'd to vanquish men,

E'en as his sword he wielded, so his p.m.
He smote the heart, the trembling sense oppress'd,

And gave no quarter to the human breast.
Yet, Stage Improvement mark'd the Soldier's sway,
And thig'd with taste the Captives to his lay.

Then, first (the cart of Thevis overthrown),

Form'd by rude planks, a Theatre was known :
Coped by the Heavens, it overspread the lawn,

And Veit on Scenic Dress appear'd to dawn.
But, all divine, when Sophocles appear'd,
'Twas then the Drama's Majesty was rear'd,

Builders and Decorators came ;—their boast

Was who could grace the lofty Poet most :

The lofty Poet lack'd not brains to know
That Dramatists require the Drama's shew.

NATUR E'S perfection springs from various parts;

And " IsiArya es MIRROR" needs the Sister Arts.
Hence grew the Splendour of the Scene,--and hence
The Hand-maids that embellish eloquerice
Dance, Music, Painting, Pageantry, Parade,—
All that give Zest, or yield Illusion aid.

Rome caught the sparks from Greece ; improy'd the plan;

At last the flame through modern Europe ran.
Our Scene now decks, In an illumined age,

The Bards who first gave vigour to our Stage :..a.

Thus Shakespear's fire burns brighter than of yore;

And may the Stage that boasts him burn no more!

For this our Fabrich,—banish we, to-night,
Figures worn threadbare, metaphors gtown trite.

No Phenix from her ashes shall arise,—

Stale to our thoughts as sparrows to our eyes ;
No naked Truism be cloak'd anew,

To tell that fire Which cheers consumes us too,—

No,—let a Briton now to Britons speak ;
His cause is strong, although his language weak.
We feel, with glory, all to Britain due,

And British Artists rais'd this Pile, for you ;
While, zealous as our Patrons, here we stand,

To guard the Staple Genius of our Land.
Solid our Building, heavy our expence;
We rest our Claitn on your Munificence :
What Ardour plans a Nation's Taste to ease,
A Nation's Liberality repays !

Mr. KEMBLE then withdrew, and the representation
of Macbrth commenced, but such was the clamour and
jarring of discordant vociferation, some calling off !
off ! and others go on ! go on ! that the whole play
, was, to every person but the performers themselves,
a complete pantomime. To the musical performance

of the Older, which followed, a little degree ;fatten-
tion was paid still, however, it appeared as mere
iinstb-skew. The after-piece was concluded, but the
audience seemed determined to remain, and abollt this
period their attention was attracted by a gentleman in
the front of the lowa- tier of boxes, who, elevating
himself on the front of a box, seemed tb wish to -
ad-
dress them- All parties appeared to wish to hear
him, but could not, through the loud cries of 'Silence,'
which resounded throughout the Theatre. Those in
the Upper Boxes called- to him to get on the Stage,
and in this they were followed by the whole hoirse.
He accordingly quitted his place, 'descended into the
pit, and was escorted towards the stage, as far as the
orchestra, where some impediment occasioned a full
stop. In the mean time the stage lamps, which had
been let down, were again brought up, and several
persons appeared at one of the stage-deois, who were
invited to the centre of the stage. TheY, however,
retired ; but after a short time Mr. Justice READ, I
attended by several gentlemen from BOw-kreet, Made
his appearance. All appeared anxious to hear him,
but to pin silence was impossible. After i'ainiy en-
deavouring a hearing, Mr. R. at length produced a
paper, which was suspected to be the Riot Act.—
Loud hisses followed. Unable to explain himself
to the whole House, he now addressed himself to a
Gentleman in one of the Stage Boxes, who at-
tempted to communicate them to the audience.—
This efTort was followed by a partial burst of applause
from those near him, inducing those at a distance to
imagine their wishes were complied with ; but, una-
ble to ascertain this precisely from their new spokes-
man, they called out to have the prices chalked on a
board, and exhibited on the stage. On this Mr.
READ and his attendants retired, and the audience
remained silent for some time, expecting their wishes
would be acceded to ; but no further notice being
taken of them, they again proceeded to hiss, &c. and
at length retired by degrees at a very late hour, after
'God save the King had been sung by about fifty of
those who seemed most determined to remain.
We did not hear that any personal mischief was
sustained by the press, occasioned by opening the
doors ' • but it was at one time very alarming.--One
of the lustres in the interior of the Theatre was broke,
as were sevekal of the mahogany doors at the backs of
the boxes ; and during the greater part of the perform-
ance, pugilistic encounters were going on in different
parts of the house, occasioned by attempts to turn out
persons who were more than usually noisy.
There was certainly much in the general aspect of
the Theatre to disarm censure, to conciliate acquies-
cence, and call forth other emotions than those of dis-
content and disapprobation. It cannot be denied that
every thing bespeaks a magnificent design—a happy
execution, and the unsparing supply of every thing that
could contribu ce to convenience, splendour and embel-
lishment. The general coup d'ail of the house is most
splendid and imposing. The chandeliers are of ex-
quisite workmanship, and produce the most brilliant
effect ; which, we think, would be considerably
heightened if the ground of the colouring in the front
of the boxes, and throughout the house, was more
varied, and had not such a predominance of light co-
lour. The stage itself, the proscenium, and the various
emblematical devices that adorn it, argue much judg-
ment and taste, exhibiting a very grand and striking
appearance.
The scenery and decorations displayed in the exhi-
bition of Macbeth are splendid and appropriate, and
the dresses were of corresponding magnificence. Whe-
ther the Theatre is calculated to make the voice au-
dible in all its parts we were unable to judge last
night, the voice of the perfOrmers being entirely lost
in'the continued noise and clamour that prevailed
during the performances.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER ON BOARD
HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP IMPLACABLE, DATED OFF REVEL,

GULF OF FINLAND, JULY 10, 1 809 :

" Since my last, we have been very successful.—
We left our station off Carlscrona on the 22d June,
and proceeded directly to the Gulf with the squadron;
on our arrival off Dagerot we were sent on a station
with the. Melpomene frigate under our command, to
crnize between the Islands of Nargen and Hogland.
In our passage we took two galliots laden with naval
stores on account of the Russian Government, and
we also fell in with one of our licenced vessels, who
gave us information of a Russian frigate cruising be-
tween Hogland and Aspo, about 20 English leagues
from Cronstadt : we immediately made all sail, the
Melpomene in company ; and on the 30th June, saw
a strange sail upon a wind a-head ; we made all sail
in chace, and in the course of a few hours found her
to be a frigate ; we disguised ourselves as much as
possible, having a stump fore-top-gallant mast up,
and our mizen top gallant mast struck ; and our
hammock clothes made fast outside to cover our
bright side ; but she having a friendly port under
her lee, named Aspo, about three leagues from her,
escaped in without our having the satisfaction to give
her such a drubbing as the unfortunate Sewolod had;
she is one of their large line of battle frigates, with a
Few guns on her lower deck ; our brave and gallant
Captain wauld have gone in if he could have obtained
a pilot. We discovered four large corvettes lying
there ; since then, on the Ist of July, we took seven
galiuts, laden with spars, large enough for a frigate's
top-masts, and plank fit for a 74's deck, and to-day
we have taken another galiot and two schooners. *e
have detached a flying squadron of boats along the
coast, and are now lying off Revel with our convoy
of prizes, waiting for a fair wind to send them to Eng-
land. We have received information from a vessel,
that 30 sail, laden with naval stores, are now lying at
St. Petersburgh, preparing for sea, of course a sharp
look out will be kept."

We have it from respectable authority to say, that
the Lancaster plan is adopted in the tcAvn of Bandon
in Ireland, among the lower order cf the Catholics,
through the active exertion of the Rev. Dr. SHINWICK,
the parish priest, a man whose enlightened and libe-
ral mind sees the necessity of giving education to the
poor. The loyalty and patriotism of Dr. SHINWICK
were eminently conspicuous during the late unhappy
disturbances.

The Assizes for the Principality of North Wales
have concluded, without furnishing us with materials
for a single paragraph—not a cause of any impor-
tance to determine, ncr a single prisoner for trial !
Such a statement requires no comment, it speaks most
eloquently for the state of morals ill that romantic
district.

""^-7-


SPORTING INTELLIbENCi:

ABINGDON RACES.
Tuesday last a Sweepstakes of logs. each, for S-year-olds, wal
Won by Mr. Milk's Snow Drop, beating Miss Seeding, Little
Folly, Littleton, and Sir Edward.
A Sweepstakes of lOgs. each, for all ages.
Mr. Dilly's Gnatho - -
Mr. F. Cri.v.in's The Inconstant . 1 2 2
A Sweepstakes of Sgs. each, with flogs. added by the Meriber for
the B
Mr. Worrell's b. f. by Killorou Devilgh, for all ages.- . - 4 0 1 1
Mr. Lucas's Guildford Nan - - - 1 0 2
Mr. Ktipp's Doubtful - - - 5 4 3 3
Mr. Hyde's bl. h. Oscar - - - 3 3 dr.
Mr. Cowley's Seotch Step - - - 2 dr.
On Wednesday, a Sweepstakes of sgs. each, with 50gs. added;
wai won by Mr. Heath's little Folly, beating No 0-snjuror, Mr.
Prior's mare, a b. f. by Obi, Standing, Highland fling, and
Mercia.
William Bowles, Esq. of Abingdon, and George Nelson,Esq.
of Cbaddleworth, are appointed Stewards for the year ensuing.
PONTEFRACT RACES, SEPT. 14.
Sweepstakes of fogs. each, with 20gs. added for three-years-old
fillies, 3sr.
Mr. Skelton's grey, by Delplni 1
Mr. Clark's br. by Shuttle, dam by Overton
1001. for all ages, three-Mile heats.
Duke of Leeds's ch. c. Mowbray, 4-yrs-old, Tat. 91b. S 1 1
Duke of Hatnikon's b. c. Petronius, 4 yrs old, Bst. l lb. 1 2dr
Mr. T. Dunconibe's b. f. Ceres, 4 yrs old, /it. 916. 2dr
Ld Milton's b. c. Easton, 4yn old, est. - 3dr
Mr. Dursley's ch. f. Diana, 3 yrs old, 6st. 61b. - 4dr
Sir M. M. Sykes's b. c. Comus, S yts old, Est. 4111 • dis
Mr. T. Duncorabe's f. by Chance, out of a sister to Maid-of-
s,ll-Work, peak Mr. E. L. Hodgson's br. f. by Hambleconian, out
df Eustatta, tst, each, 2 miles, 100 gs. b. ft.
• Mr. T. Buncombe's roan filly, by Chance, darn by Pegasus,
apt Mi. E. L. Hodgson's hr. f. by Hambletonian, out of Eustotia,
Ist. etch, two miles, 100 p. h. ft. The latter paid.

Sudday morning, whilst Mr. H. a wealthy mer-
chant, in the neighbourhood of Thames-street, was
attending divine service, his only daughter eloped
with a young gentleman, a junior clerk in a Banking
House. An immediate search took place, and the
fugitives were traced to the neighbourhood of Russell.
square, from whence they had set off in a post-chaise
and four, accompanied by a female frier.d, for Gretna
Green, about two hours before .the arrival of the
father, who, conceiving it impossible to overtake them,
gave up the pursuit.

A young man, named Dawson, a waiter at the
White Lion, in Sleaford, for a wager, trundled a hoop
from that place to Lincoln, on Tuesday, without once
letting it fall to the ground, or touch his body. The
distance is 17 miles, .over hilly and otherwise unfa-
voutable road ; yet he performed it in three hours and
a half.• Considerable bets were depending.
Two widows, both named Mary Collins, died lately
at Chumley, within three weeks of each other, whose
united ages amounted to upwards of 190 years. They
have left np%fards of 200 children, grandchildren, and
great grand children.
A new aqsteduct, composed of cast iron and sup-
ported by three pillars of freestone, is about to be
erected near Stoney-Stratford ; the middle pillar is to
be 34 feet in height, standing upon a base of 26 feet
long by eight feet wide. The aqueduct will be 100
feet long, and in width eight feet, and barges of 90
tons will be able to pass it.
Boxttro.-1. tremendous battle, which lasted an
hour and three quarters, for 100 guineas, was fought
on the last day of Abingdon races, between Davis, a
navigator, and Joseph Hearman, the champion of
that part of the county. The match drew together
a vast multitude, greater than at any day of the races.
The friends of Davis sent for Jem Belcher from Lon-
don to second their man. At the commencement of
the combat Davis was the favourite, and continued
so during the battle, from his mode of hitting and
getting away. It was a conflict of the most obstinate
nature, etch man hit until he was down and it was
not urusaal for troth to be hit down 'at the same mo-
ment, by crushing blows. The pugilists were fright-
ful spectacles, and to the last round bottom was dis-
played by each. Hearman hit down his adversary
in the 57th round, but was obliged to give in in the
58th, being quite exhausted.
An affray took place last week at Didmaitirt,
Gloucestershire, between George Chappell, of that
place, and John Matthews, of Sopworth. After fight-
ing some time, Chappell, a very old man, finding his
strength fail him, declined the contest, when his
brutish antagonists a hale hearty fellow, of about 40,
rushed on him, and striking him a violent blow under
his ear, killed him on the spot. The Coroner's Jury
sat on the body, and brought in a verdict of Wilful
Murder against Matthews, who is committed to Glou-
cester gaol for trial.
A letter from Dungannon, in a Dublin Paper of
Thursday last, says—" On Friday lasts this neigh-
bourhood exhibited a melancholy instance of the total
disregard to every moral or religious obligation,
which should withhold man from shedding the bided
of man. The victim of an act prompted by this san-
guinary disposition, was Mr. John Bleakly, a highly
respectable inhabitant of this town, who held the office
of Collector of the Hearth and Window tax ' • he went
on his duty, attended by two constables, to the house
of a family of the name of Briars, who reside a few
miles in the country, and who had the day before
disputed the payment of the tax of 3s.—he was met
at the door of the house by three of the family, armed
with muskets, who desired him to stand off ; but
Mr. Bleakly, with more resolution than prudence,
advanced within two yards of the men—one of whom
fired, and lodged a bullet in his breast ; lie walked to
a house at a short distance, and expired."
The grand national Work of the Statistical and
Agricultural Surveys of the Counties, for the fur-
therance of which Parliament voted six thousand
pounds on the last day of its sitting, is proceeding
with great vigour and spirit. Dr. Diercsost is now
in Lancashire, making the survey of that county ;
Mr. PAREV in Derbyshire; Mr. STEVENSON in Surrey;
Mr. PITT in Northamptonshire ; Sir GBORGE MAC-
KENZIE in Ross-shire ; Mr. STONE in Cambridgeshire
and Huntingdonshire; Mr. BAILEY in Durham; Mr.
ROBERTSON in Kincardineshire ; and Mr. VANCOUVER
in Hampshire. The surveys of Leicestershire, Bed-
fordshire, Berwickshire, and Berkshire, have just
been published, making thirty-six of the sixty-four
volumes of which this great work will probably con-
sist. Although the materials arc collected, and the
surveys made at the expence of the public, under the
direction of the Board of Agriculture, yet the work
out°.
iwshthome pirtisvcaotem
pp
lreos
venr t
cano fa
ot Sircost R
less thaoa
nP iit
fortyt.i Pt sh
sand pounds.