Star.
London, England, 1831-05-23 00:00:00

THE RIVER NIGER.

In a second edition of the Literary Gazette, published
this afternoon, we have the following interesting commu-
nication :

We have the gratification to state, that the grand question
respecting the course of the Niger, which has puzzled
geography and literature for many centuries, has at last
been determined by British courage and perseverance. We
have just received the annexed letter from our esteemed and
intelligent friend, Mr. FISHER, surgeon of the Atholl, well
known to the literary world for his own interesting voyages
and travels; and we lose no time in communicating the im-
portant information to the public.

His Majesty's Ship Athol!, at Sea,
Bight of Biafra, Feb. 2, 1831.

Dam' Sta,.—l take the opportunity of writing you • few lines, by a
vessel that we have just now met on her way to England. My object
in writing in this hasty manner is to acquaint you that the grand
geographical question respecting the termination of the Niger is at
length solved.

The Landers, after having reached Your!, embarked in a canoe on the
Niger, or, as it is called there, the Quarra, and came down the stream
until they reached the sea, in the Bight of Biafra. The branch by which
they came to the coast is called the Nun, or Brame River, being the first
river to the eastward of Cape Formosa. On their way down the river, they
were attacked by the Hibboos (a fierce nation that inhabit its banks),
and made prisoners, or rather captives ; but the King of Brame hap.
petting to be in that country buying slaves, got them released, by
giving the price of six slaves for each of them. In the scuffle that en.
sued at the time they were taken, one of them lost his journal.

Whilst at Youri they got the prayer-book that belonged to Mr.
Anderson, the brother-in-law and fellow traveller of the celebrated
Muogo Perk. They were upwards of a month at Fernando Po, whence
they embarked, about ten days ago, in an English merchant-vessel
_ _

bound to Rio Janeiro, on their way to England. From their taking
that circuitous route, I am in hopes that this will reach you before
they arrive, by which you will probably have it in your power to give
the first news of this important discovery.
I do nut recollect of any thing else to acquaint you with that is wor-
thy of notice; and even if I did, I have no time to mention it, as the
boat by which I send this (to the vessel) is just this moment ordered
away.

1 must thaefore bid you adieu for the present; and believe me, dear
sir, your's very sincerely, ALMANDEB. Funs&

The Duke of Gloceater honouted the performance of
Mademoiselle Fay, at the French plays, on Friday evening.
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent entertained a
large and distinguished party at dinner on Saturday, at the King's pa.
lace at Kensington.
Preparations are already making for the meeting at As-
cot, which takes place on Tuesday week ; the course is in very fine
order, and men have been employed for some days in rolling and clear-
' lag the turf. The company is expected to be more numerous than ever,
on account of the determination of our beloved King and Queen to vi-
sit the course each day of the races. Several members of the Royal Fa-
mily, including the Duchess of Saxe Weimar and family, will also be
present. The presence of our glorious Monarch would atone render the
meeting unusually attractive.—Windsor E.rpreas.

CITY. ONE O'CLOCK.
The extensive failure which took place on Saturday at the
Stock Exchange, is still the topic of conversation in the
City ; but we understand that the gentleman in question
has come forward in a very honorable manner, and given up
20,0001. to his creditors, to pay part of his diffetences, which
amounted to 50,0001.

-Consols, which left off on Saturday at 821 # for the Ac-
count, opened at the same price this morning, with little bu-
siness doing at present.
In the Foreign Market nothing doing as yet.
Console have just taken a start, and are done at 831 I.
According to letters from Hambro', Diebitach has left ten
thousand sick at Siedlec. It is said that be has received or-
ders from the Emperor of Russia to take Warsaw, cost what
it will.

We have a great number of foreign arrivals this morning,
but most part of their contents are already anticipated in the
morning journals. The accounts from Warsaw of the 10th
May state, that favourable accounts have been received
there from Wilna, which is surrounded by 14,000 of the
insurgents, preventing the Russians in garrison there from
having any communication with the main army. There
are also 3,000 of them at Kowno ; and every where the
people are arming. The insurrection is extending more and
more in Lithuania. Prince Oginski has sent 30,000 peasants
to the army, and distributed 10,000 muskets to the country
people ; the Commander-in-chief of the Polish army has
promised to send them 9,000 regular troops.
Montreal papers to the 13th of April, Quebec to the 6th
April, and Port-au-Prince to the 29th March, have been re-
ceived at the North and SouthAmericanCoffee-house. From the

Montreal papers we are again gratified with the appearance
of steam boats in our harbour, no less than seven having ar-
rived within these two days. The last week has been un-
usually cold for the advanced state of the season, the wind
being generally from the North and East ; and the banks of
the river are still much encumbered with heavy masses of ice.
From the Quebec Papers.—The ice and high water ap-
pears to have done considerable damage at Montreal ; and
in addition to the accounts from the Montreal Gazette, the
whole valley of St. Lawrence for miles together, appears
like a lake, as the thaw has been very rapid beyond all pre-
cedent. elted snow runs in torrents through the streets.
The Port au Prince paper does not contain any news.
CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

Consols have been done at, in the course of the morning,
831; at present they may be quoted 83 to 1, with little doing.
The Dutch steamer has arrived ; but the letters will not
be delivered till late.

In the Foreign Market, Spanish Bonds have improved
1 per cent.
In Gallicia the cholera morbus is making great ravages ;
it has been brought into that country by some wounded Poles.
A Lisbon mail has arrived, sailed on the 15th May ; we
do not hear it brings any news of importance.
By the Mexican mail the accounts are favourable; all
was tranquil there. We understand that 61,000 dollars are
come over to pay the dividends.
The island of Pico was taken on the 28th April. There
are now five vessels, from Terceira, cruizing between Pico
and Fayal. The above island is the place where they grow
wine to provide Terceira, as well as with cattle.
Extract of a letter from Antwerp, May 20 :—" Yester-
day between four and five o'clock, the town was thrown into
the greatest alarm, and many persons immediately left.
Since Sunday last, many hands have been employed out-
side the town iu throwing up batteries, with the intention of
attacking the citadel. General Chasse yesterday informed
the authorities, that if the works were not discontinued by
six o'clock, he would open a fire on the town. This
gave rise to an apprehension of a second bombard-
ment ; but an arrangement has taken place, and the works
are discontinued. Should this state of things continue, I in-
tend to leave the town at the end of next week."