Star.
London, England, 1826-12-18 00:00:00

COUNTY FIRE OFFICE.

On Saturday last a general meeting of the Share-
holders of the County Fire Office, took place it the
office of the Company in Regent-street.—Sir Gunton
DUCKETT in the Chair.

Sir tixonos, on taking the Chair, said, that in the
course of the year, a report had been published by the
Commissioners for enquiring into the collection and
management of the revenue in Iceland, in which report
the managing director of the County Fite Office had
been charged with the commission of a gross fraud upon
the revenue. He (Sir G. Duckett) had, in common with
other Gentlemen with whom he was associated, deeply
felt the discredit of being mixed up with such a state-
ment. They had, therefore, determined to investigate
the matter, and the Directors had called the present
meeting for the purpose of giving the managing director,
Mr. Beaumont, an opportunity of clearing his charac-
ter from the double imputation,-Ist, of having de-
frauded the revenue for the benefit of the office ; and,
2d, of having defrauded the office for the benefit of the
revenue. He did not think it easy for a man, upon his
defence, under such a charge, to be extremely temper.
ate, bet he hoped that Mr. Beaumont would, in his
statement, keep clear of personalities, which could
serve none, and might do injury to the best cause.
Mr. BEA umoNt then entered into a very long state-
ment, for the purpose of shewing that the imputations
against his character in Mr. Sykes's evidence, and in
the Revenue Report, were altogether unfounded. Hav-
ing indulged in some very strong language in the course
of his speech in respect of Mr. Sykes,
A Gentleman interposed, and inquired if Mr. Sykes
was present whilst these imputations were thrown out
upon his character, or if he had notice of this Meeting ?
He deprecated throwing out upon a respectable Gen-
tleman, behind his back, such imputations as Mr. Beau-
mont had thrown out against Mr. Sykes.
Mr. BEAUMONT said, he was happy to hear the Gen-
tleman say so, as all that he (Mr. Beaumont) complained
of was that the charges brought against himself in the
Report were got up behind his back.
After some discussion, the Hon. WAIIIIDOUTOW Sumter suggested
the propriety of hearing Mr. Beaumont to an end before any re-
marks were offered on his speech.
Mr. Rumor:, in consequence of this suggestion, was allowed
to conclude.
After Mr. Schultz and Mr. Millar, the accountant,'had addressed
the Meeting on the same side, a series of resolutions were passed.
A petition founded thereon, to be laid before Parliament having
been read and agreed on, the Meeting adjourned.

Lord Da TABLaY has been confined for the last
week by indisposition of a most alarming nature, but is better.
Every description of rumour prevailed in the City on
Saturday which could terrify the sensitive Gentlemen
of the Stock Exchange, and enable the propagators of
them to close the business of the week with a few un-
expected hundreds in their pockets. A hot press on the
River—the symptoms of a war with France—was one
of them. The most ingenious, however, was a rebel•
lion in Ireland, got up all at once. To state these ab-
surdities is sufficient ; it would be t 'imitate them, were
we to undertake their serious refutation.
While the Guards were on Tuesday morning muster-
ing in St. James's-park, previous to their departure for
Portugal, a beautiful young woman was observed (ac-
companied by an individual who appeared to be her
father) taking a silent but affecting leave of her hus-
band. When at last the word was given to march, he
loosed her from his grasp, replaced her in the arms of
the old man, and exclaiming " Jonathan take care of
her," rushed back into the ranks, and manned himself as
if by some extraordinary effort of mind.
An order was issued from the Commander.in-Chiers Office, on
Saturday last, to the Reuniting Department, with instructions re
lower the standard for the passing of recruits for the line, vis.—t hat
growing boys under 18 years of age should be received at five feet
five inches and a half high, and from 18 to 25 years of age, at five
feet six inches and a half. This accords with the regulation issued
in the year 182.1.