Star.
London, England, 1828-07-09 00:00:00

THE CLARE ELECTION.

No information of the result of Vie election was re-
ceived at the Committee Room up to the hour of our
PPper•going to Press. By this morning's Post a letter
was received by the Committee from Mr. Dwyer, of
Dublin, in which he mentions the receipt of a letter
franked by Mr. O'Connell, and which Prink was ac-
knowledged by the Dublin Post Office.
The Committee state, that it is Mr. O'Connell's in-
tention, when he arrives in Lohdon, to obtain the best
legal advice as to the course he ought to pursue. He
will do nothing rashly. His arrival is expected this week.
FROM THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL, MONDAY, JULY 7.
One thousand and ninety-one was the majority for
Mr. O'Connell at the close of the poll on Friday evening.
On the following morning the regular process of that
election was interrupted by the presentation of a protest
against the return of Mr. O'Connell,which was presented
by a number of the Gentlemen who had supported Mr.
Fitzgerald. This protest was grounded on the alleged
disqualification of Mr. O'Connell by his religion. It
led to very learned and lengthened legal arguments;
but the Sheriff's assessor decided that Mr. O'Connell
must be returned as duly elected. This judgment was
pronounced at half past two on Saturday ; and as Mr.
O'Connell did not intend to keep the booths longer, it
was understood the election would finally terminate this
evening, which it did, and Mr. O'Connell was returned
duly elected.
Mr. O'Connell's franks were dispatched by the last mail from
Ennis.

CATNOLIC RENT.
Amount received during the week
Mr. Fitzpatrick's return fur some weeks

. ‘1,6514 19 io

542 10 0

,e. 2,201 fb 10

Lord STUART Di ROTHSEY had an audience yester-
day of Kum. at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Park, and kissed
hands on being appointed Ambassador to the French Court ; and it
was understood his Lordship took leave of his Ddarurr. His Lord-
ship remained to dinner with theitsuo.
Viscount Lownszu hactiolll.rday an audience of his
MAJUTY to take his asnwmads ih stslittirs relative to the ofßee of
Woods and Forests.
The Duke of CUMBRIMAND and the Duke of CAM-
salsas left town together, about as o'clock.yesterday morning, in
a chariot and four, for Wormwood Seri*" where their Royal
Highnesses on their arrival reviewed the seems Regiment of Life
Guards. _ _

The Duchess of Wituaucyrox had a grand assembly
on Monday evening, at Apetry House, Piccadilly, which was very
numerously and fashionablOrtended.
Dispatches were bekht to the Colonial Office on
Monday evening from Sir 1111kineas Comma:nos, in the Mediter-
ranean, and also front the Loan Km Costatisuones of the lonian
Islands.
Dispatches were received yesterday morning at the
Consulate of the Brazilian Embassy from the Emperor of the
BRAZILS. Soon after the arrival of t►e dispatches an express war
sent after the Brazilian Minister Into the country, to bring his 21-
sellency to town.
The Austrian Ambassador, and the Spanish, Ameri-
can, and Hanoverian Ministers had interviews with the Earl of
ABIIRDRIN, yesterday, at the Foreign Office, i■ Downing-street.
Prince POLIGNAC gave a grand dinner yesterday at
his residence in Portland-place, to a numerous party.
Lord Cataarmorox entertained a distinguirled patty
to dinner yesterday, at his house, Whitehall-yard.
M. A. TAYLOR, Esq. M.P: had a grand dinner patty
yesterday, at his house, Whitehall-yard.
Mr. MAzwet.l. paired off with the Hon. Mr. KNOX
in favour of Mr. Saritar's Amendment, on the Grant of 50,0001.
for Canadian Fortifications.
It is confidently rumoured among the Legal Gentle-
men that Sir JOHN LEACH resigns the Rolls for the
Deputy Speakership of the House of Peers, and that,
.dr. BROUGHAM goes to the Rolls, with a Peerage in
prospect.—new Tiwes.

BLOCKADE OF OPORTO.
-..-.-

" Liovo's, 3uLr s, 1828.

" Mr lantn.lnconsequence of the communication
made by direction of your Lordship on the 24th ult. to
the Committee of this Establishment, of an effective
blockade of the bar of the city of Oporto having been
declared by Ms Royal Highness the Prince Regent of
Portugal, I take leave, as Chairman of the Committee,
to inform your Lordship that several vessels have since
arrived from Oporto, one .of which sailed so late as
the 29th ult. and that by advices from thence it is
understood that a correspondence had a fews days
before'' taken place between Captain Mildmay, of
H.M.S. Cordelia and the Commander of the blockading
squadron, who had agreed that British vessels might
go into and depart from Oporto, and be had sent to
Lisbon for hither instructions.

" I am therefore requested by the Committee to beg
that your Lordship will be pleased to acquaint me, for
the information of parties interested in the trade of
Oporto, -and the Underwriters,whether any official intel-
ligence has been received of the raising of the blockade,
or if British vessels may enter without molestation by
the Pot tuguese squadron ?

" I have the honour to be, &c. acc.
(Signed) a WILLIAM THOMPSON.
" The Right Hon. the Earl of Aberdeen,
His Majesty's Principal Secretary of
State fur Foreign Affairs, atc. &c." •
" FOREIGN OFFICE, Jinx 8, 1828.

0' Stll.-i um directed by the Earl of Aberdeen to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date;
and, in compliance with the request which it contains,
to state to you, fur the information of the parties inte-
rested in the trade of Oporto, that his Majesty's Go-
vernment are of opinion that the blockade of Oporto
is an effective blockade, and that orders have been ac-
cordingly transmitted to his Majesty's Naval Officet
on the station.

0 I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
M Mr. Alderman Thompson. (Signed) " DUNGLAS."

GRAND DINNER OF THE OPERATIVE

STONE-MASONS' SOCIETY.

Yesterday the principal artisans of the trade, in-
cluding a considerable portion of those employed by his
Majesty's Board of Works, and some of the first houses
in London, to the amount of upwards of 100 persons,
assembled, at the house of Mr. Henry Dalton, the Black
Lion, Baysw,ter, to celebrate their anniversary dinner.
At three o'clock, the dinner was served up in must excellent
style, including all the rarities of the season.
After the cloth was withdrawn, Mr. David Colbeck, the Chair.
man, spoke,as follows—
Gentlemen—You have dignified me with the highest situation,
and the most grateful to my heart. Since his present Majesty
ascended the throne of these realms, he has held out his fostering
hand to the encouragement of the arts and sciences : he has been
theii protector, and has raised them by his support to the
proud beighth they have attained. Look at the splendid edifices
erected during the short time he has held the sway of,the em.
pire; will they not immortalize his name for the benefits conferred
on us and our fellow *Mama Most assuredly they will. Have you
not cause among yourselves to confess that many who possessed
talents beyond a common hireling still might have remained a,
such, had not the fostering band of Majesty encouraged such works
as have eventually rewarded talents that otherwise might have re.
mainedbuiled ioobscurity And, above ally has not the wandering
labourer, without bread or the means of purchasing bread for his
family, been drawn from misery to comfort, and from the same
cause ? We also have another source of comfort to every one of
this Society—we have a fund for providing for the wants of the,
widow, the fatherless, and those disabled by accident, and to keep
ourselves and others from the miseries so ably described by John
Clare, the Northamptonshire peasant poet—

" Oh, may I dle, before I'm dowsed to seek,
That last resource of hope, but ill supplied ;
ci claim an humble pittance once a week,
Which justice forces from disdainful pride."
And to whom are we indebted fur this fund? to the kind auspices
of his Majesty; he has by his patronage to labour enabled us ;o raise
such fund ; and, I cannot sit down, without stating to you, that our
worthy landlord, Mr. Dalton, without asking a question (although
an artisan himself) subscribed thirty pounds for your benefit, in the
first instance.

Mr. Davrost—l did it from the ►best motive (charity), and will
again when necessity requires.
The Castaway then proposed—" The hyoids of his Majesty,"
with four times four—which was drank with enthusiasm...—Air,
•' Goo save the King."
The CHAIRMAN then proposed—" The health of his Royal High-
nen the Duke of Sussex, Grand Master of England," three times
three—Air," The Masonic March."
After which he proposed, " the Lcird High Admiral," which
was &silk with enthiniastit with three times three—Air, " Rule
Britannia."

The Cuarairsit-1 beg leave next to propose the health of Mr.
Dalton, the founder of our fund and our worthy host of to-day,
and although I will not say three times three, I will say, drink it
heartfelt by you all as a friend, drink it for one who will never see
suffering or distress without (like meek-eyed Charity) relieving it.
—Drank with enthusiasm.

Mr. Davrou then rose and said—l have a feeling for the trade,
being bred to it, and for you my friends assembled here tn.day in
particular. I can only thank you. At the same time I beg to
drink—A glass full of wine, with a heart full of gratitude.
The Meeting did not break up until a late hour, when every one
returned to his home peaceful and happy.

Mrs. HENRY BARING gave a grand dejevni yesterday
morning, at her house in Berkeley-square, which was attended by
au elegant assemblage of distinguished fashinnables.

His Royal Highness Prince LEOPOLD, gave a grand
entertainment on Monday evening, at Marlborough douse, at
which most of the members of the Royal Family, nearly the
whole of the Foreign Ambassadors and Ministers, and a very nu
!Ileums assemblage of the Nubility and Gentry were present. The
suite of State Apartments, ma the Grand Hall which, as on
the. two. previous entertainments, was used as a music room, were
brilliantly lighted by elegant or-molu chandeliers, &c. u well as
the two grand staircases leading to the Gallery of the Grand Hall.
A Concert was performed fur the gratification of the distinguished
party, by the following eminent vocalists—Mademoiselle Sontag,
Madame Pasta, Madame Schutz, Madame Piozzi, Signors Zu•
chelli,Pellegrini,llegrez,Cnrioni,fitc. The Concert concluded about
a quarter before one o'clock. Among the company present were the
Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cussainos, the Duke snd Duchess
of Gtouctorra, the Duchess of Kum' Princess' SOPUIA MATILDA,
the Bishop of HOCHZIITZII, and most of thi Nobility and Fashion-
able. in town.

A poor widow, who lost three daughters by the acci-
dent at Kirkaldy church, has since died of a broken heart.
A fine cock partridge was caught in the own ball of
Hartlepool, on Wednesday. by Mr. Alderman Vollum.
. It is understood that the Report of the Finance Com-
mittee, relative to the Sinking Fund will be presented
on Friday next, and that it will recommend the abolip
tion of all purchases for the redemption of the National
Debt except when the revenue shall exceed the income.
Friday morning p eihile.sotie of the pitmen belonging
to Hallowell Coll*ry were, going to work, a boy about
15 years of age, also employed in the pirp in his anxiety
to be one of the first to.get down, slipped his bold, and
fell to the bottom. He was quite dead, and dreadfully
mangled.