Star.
London, England, 1826-08-01 00:00:00

PARTIES.

Lady Smith entertained a select party yesterday evening. at her
house, Terrace, Piccadilly.
Arthur Stanhope, Esq. entertained a distinguished party at din-
ner yesterday, at his villa at Brompton.
John Penn, E.q, entertained a distinguished party at dinner on
Sunday, at his seat, Stoke House, near Windsor.
Mrs. Hoare had a card party yesterday evening, at her house in
Cumberland street, Portman square.

MOVEMENTS.

The Duke of Bedford arrived yesterday at his villa, Camden
IW, from Devonshire.
Emily Marchioness of Londonderry has left town, for her seat,
forth Cray, Kent.
The Earl, Countess, and the Ladies &thorn have left town for
ieir seat in Gloucestershire.
The Earl and Countess of Falmouth and fatally have left town
e their seat in Cornwall, for the season.
_ _

The Earl and Countess of Belfast and family left turn on Satur-
day. for the Isle of Wight.
The Earl of Fife arrived on Saturday at the I'ultensy Hotel,
Albemarle street, from his seat in Scotland.
The Earl of Abingdon gave a grand dinner on Thursday, at his
residence in Stanhope street, to a numerous party; among whom
were—Lord and Lady John Fitzroy, Lord Dunstan, Lady
A'Court, Mr Henry Fitzroy, Mr Booverk. Mr Ashley, Ste.
fhe Earl and Countess of Lonsdale and family have left town
fot their seat. Lowther, Westmoreland.
The Hon. Thomas Grenville has left Dropmore for Stow; on a
visit to the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham.
Colonel Martin left town yesterday for Paris.
Major C. It. Fox left town on Saturday for Holland.
The Rev. William Crewe left town yesterday, for his seat in
Cheshire.
George Irvin. &up and Miss Irvin have left Warren's Hotel,
Regent street, for Cheltenham.
R. B. Philllpps. 1?al. M.P. left town yesterday, for Hants.
D. Hemming, Eq. left hit house in Cleveland square yesterday,
for his seat in Leicestershire.

Mr sod Mrs de Grey arrived yesterday at W. Gamier's, Esq.
in Grafton street, from their seat in Hants.

Departures front Long's Hotel. Bond street—Mr. and Mrs.
Reynolds, for the Continent ; W. Stephens, Esq. for Brighton;
Captain Leigh, R.N. for Portsmouth. •
Arrivals at the Royal Hotel, St. James's street—The Hon. T.
Flaunt% front his seat, Belvidere, Kent; J. Page, Esq. from his
seat, Holly.hill, Kent.
Arrivals at Jordan's Hotel, St. James's street—George Roebucl,
Esq. from Ramsgate •° Mrs and Miss Bridges, from Southampton;
Mrs. Dorrien, from Chichester; Dorrien, Esq. front Eton.
Arrivals at the St. George's lintel, Albemarle street— Mr and
Mrs Portland and* family, from the Continent ; Sir T. Jones,
Bart. from Sbmpshire ; Mrs Clifton, from Brighton. Departure--
Mrs Prior, fee her seat in Kern.

Arrivals at tie Brunswick Hotel, Jrrmyn street—The Earl and
Countess of Kenmore. from Worthing; the Chevalier Pederson
and Mrs and Miss Pederson, from Paris. Departures—err and
Lady Harriet Gurney and family, for their seat in Norfolk ; Lord
Elphinstone, for Lewis.

Erin Cou.ton.—Saturday, the duties of the young
Genlemen at Eton College terminated. preparedly to
the summer vacation, which has this year been extended
one week beyond the customary time, in consequence of
his MaJzsTv's gracious request to tha effect. The
friends and relatives cif the scholars arrived, during the
course of the day, in great numbers; and additional
eclat was given to the festivities of the day by the pie-
sena, of the Lotto MAYOR of London and his Lady,
who, with the Chamberlain, several of the Aldermen
and Common Councilmen, and the suite of City Officers,
had atrived on the pre:eding evening on their return
from Oxford to the metropolis. Early in the forermon
this distinguished party inspected the improvements
carrying on at the Castle, and after partaking of a cold
collation at the residence of the Mayon, proceeded to
the bridge to embark in the City state barge, which was
decorated with banners. It was plectded by the boat'
of the Water Bailiff, and as it glided along the river, the
numerous multitude who lined the banks greeted the
visitants with repeated cheering. In the evening the
young Gentlemen of the College made their customary
procession on the Thames as far as Surly Hall, and the
evening concluded with a display of fireworks. which
were more variegated and brilliant than we have seen
on similar occasions.

Were the word iron suddenly expunged from the
catalogue of modern materials, the total fabric of Eu•
ropean civilization would be effaced along with it ; for
there is not a want of the present age. absolute or,
fictitious, nor a gratification, physical or intellectual—
not a link in the whole chain of social improvement, to
which iron, in some shape or other, directly or indirectly,
does not administer.

The Chinese empire is divided into 20 provinces.—
There are reckoned to be 185 capitals, and as many large
towns of the second order. The taxes and duties amount
annually to a sum of about thirteen millions and a quar-
ter sterling ; 1,912,000 tons of corn and rice are also
deducted for the subsistence of the troops, and supplying
the public granaries. The civil service costs only one
Imillion and a half sterling; but the military set vice is six
times as expensive, amounting to upwards of 8,000,0001.
sterling. Among the articles of the Chinese budget, there
are found 8,000,0001 for the keeping in repair of the
Yellow River, 2,000,0001. for the gardens of Yuen-Ming;
and large sums for the entertainment of the Ministers of
State, of the first and second class, to the number of
3,525. The revenue of the State in money and produce,
is valued at about 30,000,000/. sterling. The duties of
entry and exportation on English and American vessels
received at Canton add to this sum nearly another
million. The revenue of England, which only reckons
22,000,000 of inhabitants, rose, In 1824. to a sum which
was °netball more them that of the whole empire of
China, which, according to the latest census, contains
146,000,000 of inhabitants. That part of the mtgs.
Lion which lives on the water amounts to 2,000,000 ; the
civil employments do not exceed 9,611, and the military
ofker, 7,5.52. The army forms an enormous mass of
1.263,000 men. of which 822,000 belong to the in;
hum, 410,000 to the cavalry, and 31,000 to the
.matine..-Urienial Herald.

WEST INDIA COMP.OIY.
Yesterday a Meeting of the Shareholders in the Joint
Stock Company, instituted for the purpose of investing
Capital in West India Landed Property. and for other
Commercial purposes, was held at the City of London
Tavern, to take into consideration the present state of
its concerns, and what measures it might be expedients
to adopt thereon.
MI. MANNING was called to the Chair, and stated
that the object of the persons wbo instituted this Com-
pany was to promote the trade of this country with the
West Indies- (the importance of which to our numutac-
turn could not be doubted), and every one connected
with it in its origin intended to make a bona fide invest•
merit of capital. The Report, which was about to be
read, would show that the views of the Directors were
now altered, but be declared it was not in consequence
pf any change in their belief as to the propriety of the
undertaking, or as to its ultimate success, but solely in
relation to the altered state of the money market. He
trusted it would be found that they had managed with
economy the funds entrusted to them, and they had is
every respeft done their duty.
The Report was then read. It stated that the sum
of 71,1321.55. 10J. had been subscribed of the call of
51. upon each Share. A Royal Charter and an Act of
Parliament fur the consolidation of the Company had
been obtained, and by them it was placed on the same
footing in the Courts at the Writ Indies that the char-
tered Companies were in the Courts of Law in this
country. The expense of 4,5101. and I,IOW. had been
lost by the sale of Exchequer Bills. The altered state
of the Money Mar ket, and the changes which had taken
Iplace since the formation of the Company, rendered it
expedient that those who chose should be allowqd to
withdraw from the Company. Those who chose to do
so might receive back 41 15;. being a loss of but ss. per
share. The Directors recommended this option should
be given to the Proprietors, and that those who re-
mained should be allowed to receive 31. 15s. per share,
leaving a deposit of 11. per share in the hands of the
Directors.

In answer to some questions put by-Shareholders, it
Appeared that the original number of Shares was 20,000.
Mr. HIBBZRT stated, that a large Pot tion of the-e had
been reset red for distribution, in our West India Colo-
nies, in order to create an interest there in the Company.
The total number on which a deposit of 51. per Share
had. been paid was 15 .974.
The Report was adopted, and, after some discussion, the Reso-
lutions fuundcd upon it were carried unanimously. A Resolution
was adopted, enabling the Directors to receive deposits of if. per
Share on these Share. which have Rot been taken up.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
GUILDHALL. , . •

William Terry, an Irish labourer, was chatted with assaulting
Priscilla Smith, a girl under 14 years, with intent &e. The pd.
saner was employed to set a stove in the site psi:, at a house in
Winchester-court, Monkwell-street, and the complainant was sent
up to take care of the furniture. Almost immediately span their
entering the room, the prisoner began to take liberties with her,
and when she attempted to go down• stairs, he pulled her back,
'and proceeded to lengths which we cannot describe.
111 r. Richards, who examined the girl, upon hearings[ the cir-
cumstance, said no actual injury was committed, but share aft"
nevertheless, ample traces of a shameful attempt.
The prisoner denied the charge, but die Alderman, after severely
reprobating his unmanly conduct, committed him for trial.
HATTON-G ARDEI:I.

A venerable old man, named Jahn Helye*, whose white hair,
thinly scattered over an ample and intelliient forehead, was well
calculated to excite respect, was brought before Mr. Aeneas, in the
custody of Jackson, one of the Mendacity Society's constables,
charged with being found in Brunswick-stieet, Brunswkit-square,
• 'citing aims front the passengers, on Friday last. The °Meer
having described the situation in which he found the prisoner,
Hayes, with a deep drawn sigh, and his eyes suffused with tears,
said that he was driven to it from actual necessity.
Mr. Bonau—What has been your occupation in life?
Hayes—Why, Sir, for nearly the last sixty years I was en-
gaged in mercantile business in Bristol, and maintained myself and
family in good credit during the greater part of that time; but, from
the fluctuations to which every man in trade is subject, I was re.
duced to the extremity in which you now see me; but notwith-
standing what has been said with regard to the invalidity (Amy claim
to the property spoken of, I am confident that the claim is perfectly
valid, and 1 have no doubt that if an application was made to the
Court, an advance would be made in my behalf.
Mr. Rooms said he was extremely sorry to see any respectable
man reduced to such an extremity, but at the same time it was his
duty, as a Magistrate, to prevent a recurrence of the °fence.
Hayes-.-Then, what am I to doss.how am I to live?
hie. Rooese—You should certainly apply to your parish, but at
ipara:li the ime you must not now want assistance. The worthy
M harm en put bis hand in his pocket and slipped a sum of
into t old man's hand, who dropped a teat on the gift, and
t comp was discharged.