Star.
London, England, 1820-09-01 00:00:00

SICILY.

The struggle which Sicily is about to commence
Iwith Naples for its independence imparts a great in-
terest to the intelligence from that part of Europe.
The advices of yesterday from Palermo were dated
August 5, at which time the invitation of the Paler-
mitans to the rest of the Island, to unite for the
attainment of independence, - had been circulated
throughout Sicily, and the answers of the different
cities and districts had been transthitteeto the Pro-
visional Junta at Palermo. With the baception of
Messina and Trapani, there appeared no hesitation,
in any quarter, in acceding to the wish of the Paler.
mitans. The Neapolitan garrisons were immediately
disarmed, and provisional authorities appointed.—
Even at Messina, though the proposal was promptly
rejected, the cause was rather believed to be the in-
fluence of persons holding official situations there,
who were all under the immediate controul of Na-
ples, than the general wish of the people. No doubt
was entertained at Palermo, that the appearance of a
military force under the walls of Messina, which had
been actually appointed for that purpose, by fur-
nishing an excuse to the people of that city for a
surrender, would produce an immediate acquiescence
in their views. The good-will of Trapani to the ge-
neral cause was more doubtful, and a determination
had consequently been adopted to reduce the place
by force: a division of the troops had already
marched for that destination, and its surrender was
hourly expected. The Deputies sent from Palermo
to Messina, among whom were Prince Belmonte
and the Marquis Gregorio, had been arrested, and
were to be detained till instructions concerning them
could be received from Naples. The number of Nea-
politan troops made prisoners at Palermo is said, in
these accounts, to amount to 6000; it had been pro-
posed to exchange them for an equal number of Sici-
lians resident in Naples.

The new Journal (The Pheenix), published at Pa-
lermo under the auspices of the Provisional Junta,
gives, in a supplement to its date of 31st of July, an
Address from the Vicar-General of Naples to the Pa-
lermitans, and a very long and spirited reply from
that portion of his subjects. In his address the Prince
reproaches them with this violation of their duty, so
soon after his recent endeavours to lighten their bur-
dens, and to alleviate their grievances; but offers
them pardon on condition of laying down their arms,
replacing the Magistracy, and returning to their
duty. From the reply, we subjoin a few of the more
prominent passagei. In answer to the reproach of
ingratitude, they observe—
We should be glad to spread a veil over the
past, and not to recur to events which now can serve
no other purpose than that of producing exaspe-
ration : but the charge of ingratitude is so black and
heavy, that we owe it to your Royal Highness, to
ourselves, and to Europe, to clear ourselves from
such an imputation. Your Royal Highness, instead
of considering yourself deceived by the demonstra-
tions of love and fidelity which we have always
evinced towards you, ought to consider yourself as
really deceived by the perfidious counsels of those
who persuade you that all the sacrifices made have
been made on the part of the Court, and all the be-
nefits enjoyed have been enjoyed on the past of the
nation ; of those, in fine, who insinuate that nations
are made for the convenience of Princes, and not
Prince' for the well-being of nations.
" Wicat: then, up to dr* present time, has.been the
situation of Sicily ? What has been its lot ? For
twice, at least, his Majesty, your august father, and
the whole of the Royal Family, being compelled to
abandon Naples, came to seek an asylum among us.
What proof did not the nation then give of its fide-
lity, devotion, and attachment? It not only main-
tained the crown in its splendour, but offered to the.
King forces and means to conquer his lost kingdom.
—lts treasures were squandered in the sumptuous
maintenance of Neapolitan emigrants. Such are II
the sacrifices of the Sicilian nation : what are the
benefits or advantages by which they have been
compensated ? •

,4 A permanent Court was promised to Sicily in
solemn Parliament ; was that promise fulfilled ?
When the Court returned in 1805, was the lot of
Sicily ameliorated ? The honours, the offices, and
the rewards of the State were lavished on the Neapo-
litans. The treasures of the State were dissipated
in a system of inquisition and espionage, in the sup-
port of a most numerous Neapolitan force, and in
the pay of emissaries and intriguers who infested the
kingdom of Naples. Sicily, in fine, was a colony
governed by a group of Neapolitan emigrants. In
such a state, Sicily saw some of its best citizens were
dragged from their homes in the dead of night, and
banished to the islands, where they were kept in long
durance, as disturbers of the public peace.

" Sicily at last pronounced in favour of the English
Constitution ; that Constitution was adopted ; your
Royal Highness was created by his Majesty, Vicar-
General of the kingdom. The independence of this
kingdom was decided on and solemnly sanctioned.
Your Royal Father, resuming the reins of govern-
ment, solemnly promised in the Parliament of 1815,
not only the maintenance, but the completion, of the
Constitution adopted. When Naples was restored to
his Majesty, what were the benefits which Sicily ob-
tained? It was immediately robbed, not only of its
new Constitution, but of those rights which, during
the course of ages, antecedent dynasties had sworn
to maintain, and had religiously respected. Its flag
was pulled down, its native ensigns were destroyed,
its mint abolished, and even its name, which has
hitherto been so brilliant in history, was cancelled.—
Thus degraded, disgraced, and insulted, it was ad-
mitted to the high honour of being a province of the
kingdom of Naples, or of the Two Sicilies."
The paper then goes on to enumerate the hard-
ships to which, after this degradation, Sicily was sub-
jected, and the consequent 'poverty and distress of
the island, drained of its resources to enrich Naples.
It afterwards details the present condition of Sicily,
and the fixed determination of the Sicilians to main-
tain their independence. The document concludes
by " imploring his Royal Highness, in the name of
the nation, that he would not be deceived by the
counsels of private interest, or misled by national
vanity, to abandon himself to imprudent or disas-
trous measures, nor disgrace by such means the first
steps which the Neapolitan nation is making in the
glorious career of liberty."

PIEDMONT.

THE PIEDMONTS= ARMY •TO THEIR KTNO.

A letter from Turin, dated August 14, (adores
the following document, said to have been actually
addressed to his Sardinian Majesty by his Piedmon-
tese army :
" Stan—The army is loyal and faithful, and gives a solemn
pledge of it to their Sovereign. Sire, it is reported that your
present Minister, are soliciting a succour of Austrian titer.—
' The Austrians were, are, and will be, not only the natural ene-
mies of the Piedtnontese, but of all the other people of Italy.
'The recollection of 1815 is not far off. Your soldiers knew
what is meant by having Austrians in the country, although as
friends. They have always usurped the honour of our exploits. .
The Austrians are the execration of Italy. Your soldiers, Ska,
will not have them but as en..ndes. To ask their assist,
would be an insupportable insult to the honour of your soldier*,
who boast that they are sufficient ;or the defence of the throne,
the country, and the constitution."

Count and Countess LIEVEN are entertaining a
large party of distinguished personages at their seat,
Chislehurst, Kent. The Prince and Princess PAUL
ESTERHAZY joined the circle yesterday; and the
Duke of WELLINGTON proceeded thither immedi-
ately on the rising of the House of Lords yesterday
afternoon.

The fine cast from the colossal statue of Flora,
presented to the KING by the Yogis and by his
MAJESTY to the Royal Academy, has been brought
to Somerset-place, from Rome, and is to be fixed up
in the Council-room.

Yesterday, Lord PALMERSTON left town on a visit
to Lord MELBOURNE, at his seat, Brocket Hall, in
Hertfordshire.

The Countess of GUILDFORD accompanies to the
Continent her Noble Sister the Marchioness of.Bure,
who is, unfortunately, obliged again to le ti e E g- .
land, on account of her health.

Sir W. W. WYNN is this year the Presi.lent of the
Congress of Welsh Bards, wbich is to be held at
Wrexham, where the silver harp will be contended
for by the native harpers.
Count ITTEREURO, Count ZASINUSKI, Baron PAL.
LEAR, Lai), PERCEVAL, and Sir H. STRACHEY, have
joined the distinguished circle at Bath.
Accounts from Madrid of the 17th ult. mention
that the Cones had agreed to abolish the Order of
the Jesuits.

Mrs. ORGER, late of Drury-Lane Theatre, has
reaped a golden harvest of Thespian laurels at Lea-
mington, and is now the leading star at Worthing.
Messrs. WALLACK and BOOTII are engaged for the
next season at Drury-Lane, as is Mr. THOMPSON, an
American Roscius.
KEAN, after concluding his present engagement,
goes to Liverpool, where he is to play a few evenings,
and then embarks for America.

Shooting jackets and gaiters yesterday rose CO per
cent. in consequence of the cockney sportsmen equip-
ping themselves for this day's hostilities against the
pigs and poultry in the vicinity of the metropolis.
'The sportsmen complain of the general scarcity of
Ipheasants and partridges. The heavy rains at the
end of June prove 'very destructive to the young
nydes and covres at this season.
The 77th Regiment have left Galway for Dublin.
The first division of the 57th Regiment are arrived
in Galway from Clonmel. _ _

A young girl in Cupar Angus died a few days
ago, in two hours time, notwithstar ding medical aid
wits instantly procured, after eating some, spoiled
gooseberries which she had picked up. It is supposed
she had swallowed some noxious reptile.
A melancholy accident occurred, on Sunday last,
at Powersrourt Waterfall, in Ireland, to a young
Gentleman on a party of pleasure. He incautiously
ascended by the narrow, steep, and dangerous path to
the top of the precipice, and in attempting to descend
his foot unfortunately slipped, he fell, and was lite-
rally dashed to pieces on the spot.
There are, according to a List lately published,
thirty Peers upwards of 70, fourteen of which attended
the first day. The Earl of SHEFFIELD, who is the
oldest that has attended for some years, appears, by
the list, to have reached the age of 84. The Marquis
of DROGHEDA is the oldest Peer, upwards of 90, but
he has not attended Parliament for many years; and
next to him are Earl St. VINCIINT, Lord CARTERET,
and the Bishop of DURHAM, now in his 87th year.
' On the 29th, the Festival of St. Louis, the Wet
Dock of Labarre, in the port of Havre, was opened
for merchantmen. The water may be kept in this
dock at least to the height of high water, at neap
tides; and that the ships may be placed along every
part of the walls of the quays, it only remains to drive
some piles for mooring the ships, and to cover some
upper parts behind the walls with granite st )nzs.
Five per Cents. 78 fr. 25 c.
The following extract is taken from VORSYTH'S
" Remarks on Antiquities, Arts, and Letters, durin;
an excursion in Italy, in 1802 and 1803" (second edi-
tion, page 420) :—" During my short stay in Genoa,
in the beginning of the year 1802, three murders
were committed in the streets. An assassin might
be hired for 50 lire ; and, if taken, might be defended
by hackney-swearers at 12 lire each !'
A wooden clock, with three little figures which
strike bells, denoting the hours and quarters, which
was sent 'to l.attakoo, in Africa, by the Missionary
Society, has excited 'great astonishment. Some of
the natives disputed among themselves, whether these
little men were made by GOD or man ; they also
wisked to know whether they ate meat and drank
milk ; it was also reported among them, that these
three little men had come in the night,. in a waggon
without oxen. In shot t, this clock appears to them
the most wonderful thing ever known in the country.

We find that we were in error as to the value of
the coin in which one of the German witnesses de-
scribed her wages to be paid. The florin is only
worth 25.4 d. sterling ; consequently her yearly wages
of 12 florins would" be 28s. The 30 ducats she ac-
knowledged to have received, amount, therefore to
upwards of ten years' wages, instead °Uwe, formerly
mentioned.

Gas-Exonanoz, MAitit-Lanx, Sari l.—Our market has been
very thinly supplied with Wheat this week, notwithstanding
which even what little was disposed of this morning with diffi-
culty obtained last Monday's prices. Oats are Is. per quarter
cheaper, the arrivals having been tolerably large, and the buyers
holding off in expectation of a considerable quantity from Hol-
land in a few days. Barley is Is. lower, and dull sale at that
decline. In Beans and Peas there is no variation.

SAMITI2II) MARKET, Sam I.—There was a great 'apply at
market this morning of all sorts of Cattle, principally of the lean
description, in consequence of which the prices have fallea.—.
Mutton, Veal, Fork, and Limb, have also fallen in price,
There is no alteration in the prices either of Nay, &saw, ge
Clover.