Star.
London, England, 1824-08-30 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH REGATTA.

PORTSMOUTH, AUGUST 28.
The port of Portsmouth Regatta, which took place
yesterday and to-day, has excited the most extensive in-
terest and attention, end has passed off with a degree of
splendour of which niv similar spectacle can boast. The
Royal Yacht Club, the titled bathing visitors from Ryde,
Cowes, and Southampton, the admirers of nautical
skill, and of aquatic exhibitions, and a large influx of
genteel company, from the surrounding country, who,
from taste and public feeling, patronized everything
that tends to strengthen Britons best bulwark, have all
I been assembled these two days, either as gratified spec-
tators upon our shores, or embarked on the waters in the
numerous crowds of yachts, vessels, and boats, of almost
every form which Naval Architecture had devised.
The weather on both days was the most beautiful of the
whole year, the heat being most agreeably moderated
by a fresh sailing breeze—so admirably suited to such
an animating and pleasing exhibition.
The first day commenced with a match of six wherries
of the largest class; which was contested in a style that
reflected credit upon the wherrymen ; the first prize was
won by the Shannon, Barron; second, Fox, Smith;
third, Pearl, Little; fourth, Clipper, Whitaker; fifth,
Sally (carried away her mast); sixth, Sovereign, Bur-
ford: This match was followed by two divisions of the
Sailing Boats of the Ships in Ordinary, sailing under
the direction of Captain Thomas, R. N. and superin-
tended by Lieutenant Martin, and other Officers. These
boats afforded a pleasing diversity to the amusement.
An interesting match then took place between four
large smacks; and more skill and good management
were never shean upon any former occasion. The first
prize of 25 sovereigns, was won by the Jane, Greentham
(which excluded her from sailing for M adame Catalani's
Cup, the next day); the second prize of ten sovereigns,
by the Twin, Scott; the third of five sovereigns, by the
Ebenezer, Abinett ; and the last vessel (which was very
interior in size) was the George and William, Judd. The
Sailing Course was from a vessel moored off the Plat-
form, along Southsea-beach, thence round the buoys of
the Spit and of the Royal George, to Fort Monkton,
along Haslar Beach, to the Platform—three times.
The second day's sailing commenced with the starting
of five vessels, of about 12 to 15 tons; the seamen in
which exhibited great skill and daring, carrying a very
heavy press of canvas to obtain the premier prize, 15
sovereigns, which was at length won by the James and
Mary, Robinson. The other vessels came in in rotation
thus :—Eliza, Diaper; Ellen, Davis; Resolution,Wood ;
Rectitude, Woad; they severally obtained seven, three,
and one sovereign. The third division of the Boats of
the Ordinary then started, and the management of them
discovered considerable skill, and was highly creditable
to the men on board. Four wherries, rowed by two
kien each, with a steersman, went thrice round a
course, near the shore, which terminated as follows :
Pearl, first; Grasshopper, second ; Jane Lowther, third ;
Fanny, fourth.
At three o'clock this afternoon, Madame Catalani's
Cup became the desired object of attention ; and it
afforded a most interesting and well-contested matchl
'
between the Twin, Ebenezer, and George and William •1
but the superior sailing of the Twin was decidedly
manifested; and to Mr. Scott was adjudged the muni-1
ficent gift of the above-named Lady.—The cup was pre-
sented by her fair hand, to the winner, on board the
Nelson (Rev. C. North's yacht), filled with wine, after
she had drank his health. It was then passed to the
Chairman, Treasurer, and Committee, who, after par-
taking of its contents, put it on board the lucky vessel,'
filled, and the crew, with an enthusiasm natural to,
British Tars, shared the same in a manner gratifying to
Madame Catalani, Mrs. North, and the Ladies and
Gentlemen who were on board the yacht. The in-
ter esting day concluded with a fine exhibition of fire-
works on the glacis.
Among the numerous company present we noticed—
His Grace the Duke of Norfolk, Lords Melville, Spencer, Mac-
clesfield, Darnley, Ilehester, Craven, Yarborough, Surrey, Deer-
burst, Clifton • Sirs G. Leeds, C. Farrington, It. Williams, J.
Lyon. G. Thomas; Admirals Sir George Martin, Sir Thomas
Foley, Sir J. H. Whiuhed, Waller Otway, .1. Bligh, General
Crosbie, &c.

The Regatta Ball, at the Southsea Promenade Rooms, last night,
was attended by upwards of 400 persons, who kept that amusement
up until nearly day-light this morning.

By letters from Cochin China we learn, that the Go-
vernment there has made a great progress in creating
an intercourse with the merchants of Europe, by open-
ing their ports to the goods of the different nations, on
payment of a moderate duty. The French are stated to
have taken advantage of this,.and to have commenced
a trade of some consequence with them.
The following is an extract from a letter written by
a distinguished Officer employed at Jamaica:—" Port
Royal, July 12.—We have been threatened with a
Negro War here lately, but lam happy to say that all
is quiet again, at least as far as can be seen; but, owing
to the discussion of Parliament, as well as the constant
agitation of the question of making the slaves free (out
of Parliament), the minds of that class of beings are
very much unsettled in this island just now. Sir John
Keane, by his promptitude and decision, aided by the
exertions of another excellent officer, Captain Harris,
of the Hussar frigate, soon quieted the tears of the in-
habitants of that part of the island (Savannah la Mar)
where insurrection was dreaded, by instantly proceeding
personally to the spot, and carrying with them, in the
Hussar, half of the Gordon Highlanders to back them.
They have returned, after having done their business
well, but without any blood shed in fighting."
A Commission, appointed to examine the state of the
Austrian Sinking Fund, made a report to the Emperor
on the 28th of May last. By that report, which has
only recently been printed, it appears that the active
capital of the Sinking Fund, which was at the end of
the 13th half year 150,832,582 florins, 17 4-Bths kreu-
zers, amounted at the close of the 14th half year, ending
on the 28th of February last, to 155,446,5351
7 3-Bths kr. and that it cynsequently obtained an in-
crease of 4,613,952f1. 7 2-Bths kr. The annual interest
of this active capital, calculated entirely in conventional
money, which at the close of the 14th half year grew to
4,403,2511 37 2.Bths kr. was at the close of the 13th
half year only 4,191,8881 2 6-Bths kr. The Fund for
the extinction of the new debt has an annual income of
9,903,251f1. 37 2-Bths kr. besides 109,5181 30 kr. of
5 per cent. stock. The obligations redeemed in con-
ventional money since the Ist of March, 1817, make
92,902,2120. 26 5-Bths kr. nominal amount, or a capital,
reckoning the interest at 5 per cent. of 73,366,9841
.57 4.6ths kr. The amount of the extinction of old
debt, reckoning the average interest at 2i per cent. was
in the 14th half year 2,735,0358. 11 kr. and during the
whole pet iod of redemption, commencing with the 14th
of April, 1818, there has been extinguished 40,980,0561
40 3-Stbs kr.