Star.
London, England, 1822-09-05 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF SUSSEX.

REGATTA IN HONOUR OF THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S
VISIT TO SUNDERLAND.
In conformity with the intention of Mr. LAMBTON
to pay every possible mark of respect to his illustrious
guest, his Royal Highness the Duke of SUSSEX, a
splendid Regatta took place on Saturday last, on the
river Wear, when his Royal Highness paid a visit by.
water to the public-spirited town and sea-port of
Sunderland. It was previously known that the illus-
trious Duke intended to visit that town, and in con-
sequence expectation was on the tip-toe early in the
morning. His Royal Highness left Lambton Hall a
little after one, and embarked at Biddick Haugh
about two o'clock, in Mr. LAMBTON'S pleasure yacht,
accompanied by Mr. LAMBTON, Lady LOUISA LAMB-
TON and children, Sir M. W. RIDLEY, M.P. Lady
and Miss RIDLEY, Captain DUNDAS, Mr. CIIALONRR,
,&c.—The pleastue-boat, which -was elegantly fitted
up, was rowed by four sailors in handsome dresses;
and several other boats followed en suite, containing
a number of distinguished individuals, visitors at
Lambton Hall. These were met, at different points
of the river, by a great number of boats, filled with
Ladies and Gentlemen fashionably attired, from Sun-
derland and the neighbourhood. Indeed, long before
the Aquatic Procession reached Sunderland the num-
ber of boats became immense—so much so, that it was
scarcely possible to ply the oars, and the boats could
only drift along with the tide, so impracticable
was it to expedite their progress, notwithstaading it
was high tide, and that there was a cor.siderable
fresh in the water. Every person in the boats was
anxious to pay his respects to the Royal Duke, and
for that purpose eagerly crowded around the yacht
in which his Royal Highness was seated; and it was
really surprising that no accident happened in conse-
quence of the pressure. The Duke acknowledged
those marks of respect in the most affable and con-
descending manner. -
Along the banks of the river, between which the
Duke passed, the people were collected in multitudes
from the neighbouring villages, and greeted him on
his route with the most enthusiastic cheers. The
whole population of the surrounding country, in fact,
gave token of rejoicing, and every signal of welcome
and congratulation was displayed. Guns and cannon
were fired, almost without intermission, from the
banks of the river, as his Royal Highness proceeded ;
colours were displayed on the houses, &c. at every
point, and thousands of people traversed the sides of
the river as the regatta advanced, cheering it with
repeated and enthusiastic acclamations. As it ap-
proached Sunderland it was hailed by incessant dis-
charges of cannon from the various building-yards
and manufactories situated on the banks.
We ought also to mention that Mr. LAMBTON'S
band, dressed in beautiful new fancy uniforms, pre-
ceded his Royal Highness in a barge towed by boats,
and that the regatta was met by another barge, con-
taining an amateur band of volunteers from Sunder-
land, both playing a variety of popular airs.
The concourse of people on and near Bishop Wear-
mouth- bridge was prodigious, and the bridge itself,
crowded as it was by spectators, exhibited a most
singular and even terrific appearance, for the light-
ness of the structure seemed inadequate to support
the weight it had to sustain. The ships in the har-
bour had all their colours flying, and guns and
musketry saluted the Royal procession as it glided
slowly amidst a dense and innumerable mass of boats,
between the line of ships moored on each side of the
river. At the Pan Field it was welcomed by a heavy
discharge of cannon. The Duke appeared extremely
gratified, and looked with much apparent interest at
Mr. Lamarou's machinery for loading vessels with
coals by tubs, and also at a machine on a floating
vessel, erected by Lord STEWART for the same pur-
pose. His Royal Highness seemed highly delighted,
and continually evinced his gratification by bowing
to the multitude as he pasted along. On arriving at
the landing-place, as soon as the Duke had stepped
on shore, the rush of boats was excessive, every per-
son being desirous and eager to get first on shore;
and the quays being covered with an innumerable
concourse of persons, the scene became one of a
really tremendous and dangerous nature. The crowd
was, in fact, actually impenetrable, and the heat
nearly suffocating. There could not have been less
than thirty-five or forty thousand persons present.
In short, it is impossible to give anything like a de-
scription of the spectacle that now presented itself.
—With a great deal of difficulty the Duke got out of
the yacht, amidst the loudest cheers, and, leaning on
Mr. LAMBTON'S arm, ascended the flight of steps near
the Pier-house. He then got into Mr. Latarrou's
carriage, from which the horses had been taken by
the populace, and was drawn through the town, Mr.
LAMBTON and his son sitting on the coach-box. His
Royal Highness appeared to captivate every one by
his conciliating and familiar deportment, and drew
forth shouts of-applause from the men, and waving of
handkerchiefs and smiles of welcome from the Ladies,
who thronged the windows of the line of street through
which he passed. As his Royal Highness advanced,
the populace increased in numbers, until he arrived
opposite the Bridge Inn (Jousszy's), where, in a short
address, he intimated his gratification at the occur-
rences of the day, and expressed his thanks for the
manner in which he had been received. His Royal
Hi!.thrress's speech was hailed with three times three
cheers. The populace then accompanied his Royal
Highness to the house of A. FENwicx, Esq. where he
partook of a most elegant cold collation ; alter which
he returned to Lambton Hall, where a large party
was invited to meet him at dinner. His Royal High-