Star.
London, England, 1819-03-24 00:00:00

TO TilE £DITOP OF THE STAR.

Sta.:.-In consequence of a late Motion by Sir J.
JACKSON in the House of Commons, a Select Com-
mittee has been appointed, for the purpose of consi-
dering the validity of the doctrine, that tl.z.Phigtic
is contagions ; and from the observations elicited from
Mr. ltor.iNsoN, it would farther appear, that there
were strong grounds for the proposed inquiry, " that
the Quarantine Laws, which were bath severe awl
expensive in their operation, had. been establ:sliel in
consequence of the ancient belief, that the Plague
was of a contagious nature; but that many discove-
ries had been lately made, which threw considerable
doubts oa the validity of that doctrine, so as to pro-
duce a strong inclination to think that the ancient
opinion was erroneous."—That contagion is insepa-
rable to the Plague, has been believe-4 to be an in-
controvertible fact, not merely for seasons, or years,
but for ages; and I therefore trust the House will
pause ere it passes a law abrogating, or even in any
degree relaxing, the Quarantine Laws, which cannot
be too rigorously observed. And to those sceptics
who arc inclined to.believe that the plague is not
contagions, I beg to state the following account of a
dreadful plague which broke ont at Messina, in Si-
cily, in the month of May, 1713, which may give
them some idea of what. might possibly happen
amongst us, should they be mistaken and 'succeed in
leading others to adopt their ideas and to act upoirthem.
It was imported in cotton and other commodities
lirought from the Norco, and swept off such a mul-
titude of people, that the city was almost depopu-•
fated : all the galley-slaves who were employed in
burying the dead, perished of the contagion, as did
many of the Priests and Monks who administcied to
those who were infected. The dead bodies lay in
heaps in the streets, corrupting the air, and adding
fresh fuel to the rage of the pestilence. Numbers
died miserably for want of proper attendance and

necessaries, and all was horror and desolation. At
the beginning of winter it ceased, after having de-
stroyed near 50,000 inhabitants of Messina, and of,
the garrisons in the Citadel and Castle.
Mr. ROBINSON further stated, that if it could be
ascertained that the Plague was epidemic, and not
contagious. a great service would be rendered to man-
kind. In reply to this observation it will, I make no;
doubt, be very generally admitted, that wherever the
Plague appears, whether it be considered epidemic
or contagious, it assumes the most terrific form, and
its destructive effects are most extensive. Why should
therefore any measure be considered severe, that has
a tendency to keep so great a scourge at a distance ?
What consolation could it yield to the farmer, after
losing his crops from the effect of a violent storm, to
be told that the tempest came, not from the east but
the west? or that the rain had hail as an auxiliary.
ACCELLUS.

BETTING AT
RIDDLESWOI
7 to 2 apt Treakurer. (taken).
6 to 1 agstßlue Stockhigs(tak)
CLAI
Even betting the Field against
Allegro.
oAvtamia.-50 to 1 against

TATTERSALL'S.
RTH STAKES.
I 6to 1 apt Brother to Sooth-
sayer (taken).
at

.T.
6 to 4 agst Corinne.
7 to 1 agst Sam.
naming the three winners.
,BY.
20 to i agst any other
Even betting between Wild Ere
and Mr. Cnssans's horse.

to 1 agst Euphrates (taken).
11 to 1 agst Pledge
13 to 1 agst Tris (taken)
15 to 1 agst The Dorninie
•

1 to 1 agst Blue Stockings
9 to 1 apt Barron
9 to 1 apt Dodona, (taken).
DONCASTER
9 to 1 apt The Laird (taken).
9 to 1 apt Lisette
10 to 1 apt Mandan
HUNTING.
The Quern Hounds meet to-morrow (Thursday) at Copt Oak
Wood; Saturday, at Beatunanor.
The East Essex Fox Hounds meet on Thursday, at Beasley
Bad Cock.
The Oakley Hounds meet on 'Thursday, at Weston Wood;
Saturday, at Houghton Conquest Toll Gate.
us puke of Grafton's Hounds meet on Thursday, at Castle
Thorp.
Tbe Earl of Derby's Stag Hounds meet on Saturday at Wal-
ton Heath.
IL Join& Esq.'s Fox Hounds meet (xi Saturday, at Chip.
stead Moral
11 se Harriers meet every day.
On Monday last, four of the Cottesntore pack of hound; were
poisoned, and died in the field. How this extraordinary acci-
dent arose, is not ascertained ; it is thought they must have
picked up the poison in Morcary Wood.
PEDESTRIAN UNDERTAXING.—Crisp has undertaken to walk to
and from London to Dover, for thirteen successive days, being
at the rate of 70 miles a day. The wager is it:100 a side. He is
to start on the first of April, from Crib's, the Golden Lion Inn,
Borough-market. He is to recciva tickets at each end of his
journey, signed by the Innkeeper and an appointed umpire, to
satisfy the public that he performs the tisk.
SPARRING.
Fives Comm.—The crowds of amateurs yesterday which pre-
sented themselves at the doors of this theatre of the fancy, ex-
cee•ded every thing of the kind for some years. It was a complete
ovetilow • and not less than 1000 persons were in the Court—
It was Se:roggins's benefit ; but the attraction of the day was
Donnelly, the Irish Champion. The gentlemen amateur: from
Poddy's Land were numerous ; and not a Murphy from the Holy
Land that could muster the blunt was ahrent. JOHN BULL was
equally on the tiptoe to get a peep at this " famed hero" of Erin.
The Champion of England, like a well-bred gent:man, also ap-
p.!ared to make his bow, and behave politely to his brave rival in
a rots. should he wish to have a taste, a lunch, n to make a med upon
Old English fare. But to the great disappointment of the audience,
Donnelly did nut make his appearance. The set-to's, however,
were generally good ; and the amateurs were liberal in their
shouts of approbation, and in exercising their hands. The prin.
cipal attraction of the combats was between the following pugl-
tins, between whom, for the last two years, a match has been
tried to be made, but in vain. Carter made his appearance on the
stage, and a glove being thrown up, as a sort of defiance, the
Champion of England presented himself on the stage, amidst
thunders of applause, to answer the challenge ; but upon Greg.
son ascending the platform to spar, Crib was about to retire;
when " Crib, Crib !" was vociferated from all parts of the
Court. The anxiety was now so great among the amateura,tbog
they scorned impatiently to wait till the Champion had prepared
himself for the combat. Crib appeared like the " Monarch of
tke Forest," firm and immoveable ; and the skirmishing Wits
of the Lancashire hero, however lively and gay, could not make
any impression on the Veteran of the Ring. At ix-fighting, Crib
also decidedly took the lead ; Carter put in one or two facers
with much dexterity ; but, upon the milling system, the once black
diamond proved that It was stilt a diamond; and that, instead of
losing any of his former brilliancy, be shone with increased lustre
and effect. 'it was a most interesting set-to; and the amateurs
appeared to relit% it with the highest taste d the art. Harmer
and Bitton, and Spring and the Gioia, (who was recently de-
feated by iheltan,) added to the amusement of the day. Ran-
dall and Scroggbis also made a Atilt The Giant challenged
Shelton for another fight for £5O, but the latter said, be could
lug accept of it under £lOO a side, and at the distance of two
mouths; whew the Giant, without hesitation, occonorearkterlhim,
and a fight will be the result. From the crowded state of the
gallery, a scat broke down, but no accident occurred.

1000 to 8 apt Euphrates and
Melinda winning Derby
and Oaks (taken).
ST. LEGER.
12 to 1 agat Minos
20 to 1 agst Mortimer