Star.
London, England, 1820-01-05 00:00:00

BR7G fiTOST. JANUARY 4. ,

“ MADRAS, AUGUST 24.
Extract of a letter from an Officer on board one
of the Hon. Ccmpany's cruisers in the Eastern Seas :
On our way up we called at the new Settlement
of Sincapore ; we found them doing well, and have
no doubt of its being a flourishing place before long.
The harbour or road is safe, easy of access at all
times, and commands the passage through the
Straits close to St. John's Island. The landing is
good, plenty of fresh water, and a fine plain to build
or. When I first visited it with Sir S. Riffles, there
was not above SO Malay houses ; others are rising in
all parts just now ; and the Malays from various
States came to express their satisfaction at again see-
ing the English amongst them. Batteries were built,
are. the best arrangements made to give our Java
friends a warm reception, should they feel inclined
to visit which the Malays confidently expected,
but without doubt of the issue, having the greatest
reliance on Major Farquhar, whom they know by no
etl er name than the Rajah of Malacca, to this day.
We were falling much in the opinion of the Malay;
the new Settlement was made ; whereas, now,
tl.cre is nothing like the English in their estimation.'
The natives of Sincapoora say, that the climate
is very salubrious ; that there is no sickness peculiar
to the island ; and that they do not know what sick-
ness is ; but they say, indeed, that even in this
healthy and beautiful spot, 4 people do sometimes
• die when they get old!'”

Monday, the Duke of YORK arrived at York House,
fit. .James's Palace, from Oatlands. Yesterday his
loyal Highness held a Levee at his Office, in the
li,or se (twat's, as Commander-in-Chief.

•
The Patwcz REGENT has not been beyond the .Pa-
lace-grounds to-day. His Royal Highness has passed
the greater part of "his time with his illustrious sister,
the Duchess of GLOUCESTER.
The upper class of domestics on the Royal Esta-
blishment, have their generous Master's permission to
enjoy themselves with an entertainment, in n. long
room in the Palace, called the Stewatcfs-rooM; con-
sisting of a ball and supper, this evening, and to
which they have been permitted to issue invitations
to their friends. The second class are to be sin Arly
indulged, subsequently to .his Royal Highness's de-
parture for Carlton-house.

Yesterday morning, the Duke of GLOUCESTER left
town for Brighton.
' Prince LEOPOLD has returned to Claremont, from
his visit to the Earl of DARNLEY, at his seat, in Kent.
The Duke of NIONTRDSE, the LORD CHANCELLOR,
the Earl Of MACCLESFIELD, Lord ST. HELENS, and
Sir W. GRANT, were present at the-Duke of YORK'S
Council, held on Saturday in Windsor Palace, upon
the state of the KING'S health.
-. Count LIEVEN, the Russian Ambassador, gave an
elegant entertainment, on Monday, to the PERSIAN
AMBASSADOR, and a large party of distinguished per-
sonages ; among whom were Prince WOLKONSKY,
Baron JUST, Mons. BLONDOEF, Moni. DE ROCK, &c.
The Earl of FIFE has been keeping open house,
during the Christmas Holidays, at his noble seat,
Duff House, Fifeshire. His Lordship has lately met
with an accident, and has sprained his ancle, which
will prevent his coming to town at present, as was
expected.
Yesterday, the Right Hon. C. LONG gave a grand
entertainment to the AMBASSADOR of the NETHER..
LANDS, and a large party of distinction, at his seat,
Bromley hill, Kent.
The Earl and Countess of LoNsDALE are entertain-
ing a large party of Fashionables thete.holidays, at
their seat, Cottesmore, RutlandshiCe.
The Duke of WELLINGTON, on last Friday even-
ing, paid a second visit to Maresfield Park Mansion,
to spend a few days, at this season of festivity, with
Sir JOHN and Lady SHELLEY.
On New Year's Day, Sir JoHN and Lady SHELLEY
gave their Annual Dinner to 150 Children of the
Maresfield National and Sunday. Schools, consisting
of roast beef and plum-pudding ; after which, re-
wards were given to the deserving in each class ;
premiums were also distributed to the industrious
poor, of from one to three guineas, with a medal :
First Class.—For bringing up the largest family without pa-
rochial relief.
Second Class.-1. For the neatest cottage.-2. For the best
garden.-3. For the woman who has gained the most money by
out-doors labour.-4. For in-doors labour.
Third Class.-1. To the boy who has gained most by out-
doors labour.--2. To the girl who has gained most by out-doom
labour.-3. To the girl for in-doors labour in the first year.
—And in the hope of encouraging a spirit of inde-
pendence amongst the poor, clothes were distributed
to every family in the parish, not having received
parochial relief, in the course of the last year, to
the number of forty-two.
A grand Ball, most numerously and respectably
attended, took place on the eve of the New Year, in
the Society Room of the Loyal Independent Lodge
of Odd Fellows, held at the Fleece Inn, Dover. The
Lodge-room had been previously decorated with
holly and laurel, gilt, Etc. in great taste. Dancing
commenced at half-past nine ;at one, breakfast was
announced; after which dancing was resumed with
great spirit, and kept up till nearly six o'clock, when
the company separated most highly gratified.
A fire broke out this forenoon in the warehouse of
Messrs. CROFT and Co. Nos 4.6 and 47, Bread-street
Cheapside, occasioned by some pieces of cloth and
bombazeen having come in contact wi.h an over-
heated flue. It was happily extinguished before
much damage was done.
The cannon which were lying in the batteries at
Yarmouth, and places in the vicinity, have been all
removed into the Fort-yard for security!
The Alarmist System is making all due progress
in Ireland. The County of Carlow was greatly agi-
tated, the other day, by a rumour that an Insurgent
Corps was marching from Wexford upon Kilkenny.
On investigation, it appeared that the rebels consisted
•f a few smugglers, who could not, however, be,
overtaken. Similar, and equally groundless, alarms
have been propagated from the Queen's County.—
Leinster Journal.
We are sorry to find that the combinations of
workmen, and the consequent disputes between them
and their employers, still prevail. Though the Col-
liers Union has, in a great measure, been dissolved,
and a great proportion of the win kmen have already
submitted, returned to their work at former prices,
and given up their Union tickets, still other Unions
are in full activity, and-possess a fixed determination
to carry their point. The Blanket Workers' Union
and their Masters are nearly in a state of open.war,
and we much fear their disputes will not be termi-
nated without mischief.—(Wakeeld Journal); '
John Rcbe'tson, of the Calder Mum Colliery, tad
John Goodear, junior, of the Flockton Colliery, were
committed to York Castle for three months, on Wed:;'
nesday, the L;th, for enticing Colliers to entet' into
an unlawful combination, called the Miners Union,
and for intimidating others, who were not in the
Union, from working, by using threatening language.
MEMOIRS OF JOHN EVELYN, ESQ.—Dr. CAMPBELL,
speaking of this celebrated man, in his Biographia
Britannica, says:
I, His life, which was extended to eighty-six years, was a
course of inquiry, study, curiosity, instruction and benevolence.
The works of the CarATOR, and the minute labours of the crea-
ture, were all objects bf Fs pursuit. lie unfolded the perfec-
tion of the one, and assisted the imperfection of the other. He
adored from examination; was a courtier that flattered only by
informing his Prince, and by pointing out what was worthy for
him to countenance ; and really was the neighbour of the Gos-
pel, for there was no man that might not have been the better
for him: whoever peruses a list of his Morks, will subscribe to
my assertion. Ile was ore of the first promoters of the Royal
Socitty ; a patron of the ingenious and the indigent; and pecu-
liarly serviceable to the lettered world; for besides his writings
and discoveries, be obtained the Arundelian Marbles for the
University of oxford, and the Arundelian Library for the Royal
Society. Nor is it the least part of his praise, that he, who pro-
posed to Mr. Boyle the erection of a Philosophical College for
retired and speculative persons, had the honesty to write in de-
fence of active life against Sir George Maekenzie's Essay en So-
litude. Ile knew that retirement in his own hands was industry
and benefit to mankind; but in those of others, laziness and
inutility."