Star.
London, England, 1823-08-02 00:00:00

COWES, AUGUST 1.

Most fortunate Should we esteem ourseltes, if we
were capable of aitarding the Public an adequate de-
scription of this year's Regatta, which presented to
those who witnessed it as rich a treat as the most pro-
lific imagination could fancy, or the most determined
votary of pleasure po.sibly desire. It is perhaps dif-
ficult to name an amusement which could be consi-
dered equally palateable to every taste and feeling; '
but if we may judge from the happiness and satis-
faction which were universally manifested on this
occasion, it did appear to us that a spectacle more
perfect in its combination, or more imposing in its
r4ult, could not have been contemplated or devised.
Oa the Monday evening, the yachts assembled ,
more numerously than on any preceding occasion;
and early on Tuesday the Royal Squadron, to the de-
light of every spectator, made its appearance. The
operations did not commence. (with reference to the
weather) under very favourable auspices; but about
ten an enlivening breeze sprung up from the west-
ward, and enabled the pilot-boats of the district to
quit the harbour and proceed to the roadstead, where
they formed line, led by the Fidelity, No. 1, and
forty•four vessels, with their respective designating
flags, followed in succession, and passed round the
buoys of the Brambles and Middlebank, from whence
they returned into harbour, and presented themselves
to the Sub Commissioners of Pilotage, amidst the
acclamations of a vast number of persons assembled
to witness this not the least interesting part of the
spectacle. The review of these fine vessels concluded
about twoo'clock, upon which preparations were made
for the rowing-matches; and twe lines of boats were
seen paddling gently up the harbour, preceded by a
band of music, and going to the respective stations
appointed for them, opposite the Parade, which was
by this time crowded with a multitude of persons,
including the rank and beauty of the Island and the
circumjacent coasts.
Shortly after, upon a signal-gun being fired, the,
first contest began between the Cowes boats, and the
greatest interest was excited both ashore and afloat;
the course assigned was to the westward, round the
RANGER Revenue•cutter, stationed a little beyond
Cowes Castle; from thence to the eastward, as far as
the Falcon yacht, and then back into the roads,
which was performed four times; and, after an ar-
duous competition, the racy terminated by the boats
passing the goal in the following order:
. Neu Gwynn - It. Simms -
Swallow - - T. Scum, - 2
Sylph - - J. Rosaavom - 3
Lightning - E. CORER - 4
Agnes - W. THOMSON - 5
To the three first of which were awarded prizes of
seven, five, and two sovereigns.
The next party was now formed, between the five
following boats, belonging to St. Helen's :
Linnet - - - B. OSMOND..
Dove - - Joust Burr.
'Hawk - - - R. Cor.m*w.
Swallow - W. Nunn.
Pigeon - - J. bIATTHrws.
They were all precisely of the same dimensions,
and rowed by able and skilful hands ; and, after a
contest which was nearly to the last moment rendered
doubtful by their keeping in such close contact with
each other, victory was decided in favour of the
Swallow, which beat the Linnet by rather more than
a boat's length, and which entitled her to a prize of
five sovereigns.

The next day commenced under still more favour.
able auspices, for everything combined to give a bril-
liancy and enchanting effect to the whole scene. The
yachts were all gaily attired with diversified flags,
and the numbers of vessels and boats of all sizes and
descriptions manoeuvring to and fro, presented a pa-
norama at once unique and animating. At twelve
o'clock, the seven vessels which had entered for the
sailing-match were seen to take their stations in a line
off Cowes Castle, with sails down, and distinguish-
ing flags at their mast-heads, their respective crews
waiting with anxious impatience the signal by which
they were to be set in motion. At length a signal-
gen was fired from his Majesty's cutter STAG, and it
is impossible to conceive the alacrity with which the
moorings were quitted and sails hoisted. It blew a
brisk gale from the westward, under which they ran
before the wind to the eastward, to a flag-boat sta-
tioned a little distance beyond Norris-Point; from
thence to the buoys off the Brambles, and to the STAG
cutter, four times round. The contest between the
Ann and Eliza and Fanny was admirably sustained;
and it was not till they had arrived within a very
short distance that the victory in favour of either was
considered conclusive: in fact, in the fourth round,
I the difference between the two (although after a race
of five hours), was only rtel seconds ; and until an ac-
-1 cident happened to the main-haulyards of the Fanny,
I in the first round, it was the general opinion she
would have been the winning vessel. The prizes
were adjudged as follows:
The Ann and Mina - - G. Jena 30 Sovereigns.
Fanny - - .G. Ramat 18 do.
Ant . is .r & Swoutas a do.

Naar/ . - L. Comm 10 do.
During this contest a most interesting spectacle
occurred ; the Royal Squadron, consisting of the
Royal George,- Royal Sovereign, and Prince Regent,
with their two attendant brigs of war, got under
weigh in contequence of a signal from their Admiral,
the Hon. Sir CHARLES PAOST, and it was the pre-
vailing apprehension that they were about to leave
the Roadstead, but it is impossible to describe the
ecstasy with which they were seen moving gracefully
through the immense fleet of vessels which covered
the surface of these waters; nor was this the comple-.
tion of the treat--the squadron took a second time,
the same course, and after
.passing as close as possi-i
ble to the shore and receiving salutes from the Hon.
C. A. PZLHAM's yacht Falcon, and Mr. Powstes
Briton, came once mote to their respective births.
The effect which this unexpected and elegant ma-
! nceuvre produced, was electric. From eight to ten
thousand persons witnessed it, and we will venture
to say, the most fastidious observer will be ready to
admit that at this period the highest expectations
were perfectly consummated. On nights of the
Regatta the heavens were illuminated by a display
of fireworks. Those of Wednesday were played off
from the Royal yachts and brigs, the Falcon, Briton,
Ruby (Sir G. Laws), and Ariel (T. HALIFAX, Egg.)
Iyachts, and the STACKUUCT, Captain Fganll. Those
of the preceding evening were under the direction of
Mr. JONES, from Vauxhall, with whose exertions the
I Public were highly satisfied. Thus brilliantly ter-

minatea a kegatta which, it is universally admitted,
surpassed
all former exhibitions of the kind, and
which we are sure will be recollected with feelings of
delight and gratitude by the immense crowd that
flocked from all parts of the neighbourhood to wit-
ness and enjoy it.—On the evening after the Regatta
the Hon. C. A. PaLHAM gave a Ball to the neighbour.
ing Gentry on board his elegant yacht the Falcon ;
the decorations, music, and entertainments. were in
the first style, and upwards of three hundred persons
of rank and fashion were present.