Star.
London, England, 1820-01-10 00:00:00

THE SET. PENTINE RIPER.

SATURDAY.—Notwithstanding the cold Easterly
wind which prevailed durint the whole of Saturday,
the Serpentine was throneed skaters, and the
banks with spectators. The North side was mot
t.equented, being, in some measure, sheltered from
the wind. The line of carriages extended for a great
length, and amongst others was that of the PERSIAN;
A MBA SSADOR. The skaters were numerous; but
those who attracted the greatest attention were, as
usual, Messrs. ATKINSON, DENNISON, NIA RRIOT,
NEWTON, BUSH, and a Gentleman of the name of
GftEENLAW. The lour first-mentioned Gentlemen
skated together in a very masterly. style. Messrs.
LONGLANDS and MAR RIOT, as usual, excelled in
turning on one leg ; and Mr. BLIGII, on the outside
edge backwards. Mr. GREEN LAW formed thewcad
eagle in a moat easy and perfect manner, and also a
serpentine line backwards, in a very superior style—
a figure which was not attempted by any other per-
son on the ice. The.ring was several times broken
by a ragged crew, who endeavoured to create con-
fusion by means of a wet foot-ball, which was kicked
and thrown about, till Mr. G REENLAW darted through
the crowd, and seizing the foot-ball, skated off with
it, and threw it into a part where the ice was broken.
He seemed to be marked for some time, but from
the occurrence which took place on Wednesday, he
was not molested. Lord RtvEtts excelled in the
Turk's cap.—The wind was, however, too strong to
admit of the amateurs displaying their greatest skill.
SUNDAY.—Since the period when the Foreign So-
vereigns were assembled together in Hyde Park, there
has not been such an immense shew of well-dressed
people congregating to one spot, from all quarters.
The line of carriages were four deep at three o'clock,
and the gay throng was honoured with the presence of
the PERSIAN AMBASSADOR and his whole suite : they
appeared delighted with the rettuFrade movements
of the higher order of skaters. Where were three
circles of the latter; but the one next to the Marine
Pavilion contained performers far excelling all others.
Quadrilles and reels were exhibited with an ease and
grace extremely captivating. The scene of these
operations had a most singular appearance: the ling,
a circumference of about twenty-four yards, was a -
complete figure of a convex mirror. The effect was
produced by the surrounding ptessure, namely, the
spectators, who were in close phalanx, about six deep.
From three till five, the ice was covered with people
of all ranks, of both sexes. On the North side, the
ice sunk so much in several places, by the weight of
the people on it, that it gushed up through the cracks,
and, to the surprise of the men belonging to the Hu-
mane Society, up evil consequences arose. In one part
only the ice gave way; but it became necessary to
placard many spots the word " Dangerous,"
ere the fool-hardy were deterred from venturing on
places where the water was nearly twenty feet deep,
although not far distant from the edge of the River.
Among the novelties were a Russian, or rather Polish
sledge, with two Gentlemen, drawn by a dog, said to
be of the Danish breed. There were several veloci-
pedes; but it was evident they could not be brought.
into motion without extraordinary assistance. There
were a vast number of foreigners skating ; but they
were only remarkable as adepts in the heavy roll.
The ice, although partly injured by the snow, was
very superior to what might haie been expected after
the many days which have elapsed since the cons-
mencement of the frost, and the number of persons
who have been upon it. Yesterday afforded a rich]
harvest to the watermen, who attended to let out
skates to hire; for every one seemed ambitious of
trying his skill in that way, and it was quite laugh-
able to see the awkward falls which resulted from
these first attempts. The interest did not cease until
the want of light rendered a longer stay dangerous.
We may state, that at one period there were not less
than twenty thousand people on the River and arourd
its banks. The Ladies were habited completely a
Russe—fur caps, pelisses, and boots of black Spanisil
morocco, or puce leather, lined and trimmed with kn..

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, the
prohibition against Lathing, is still placarded on the
banks of the Serpentine River!

Two children, proceeding last Thursday from
Langport to Bristol, on a baggage-waggon, were
found, on its arrived at an inn on the load, to be
frozen to death.

Tursday last, farmer Blackmore, of Rook's Nest,
near Wiveliscombe, Somersetshire, dispatched a man
servant, and a youth 18 years old, to go to a farm
which he occupies, about five miles distant, to look at
some sheep; previous to their leaving home, they
took some refreshment of warm cider, &c. and were
furnished with half a pint of in to carry with them,'
the weather being very severe, and the snow of con;
siderable depth. They had proceeded about three
miles, w•hctn the youth complained of being tirad ; his
companion then took him on his back, and carried
him nearly half a mile,. when, finding himself very 1
fatigued, he put him down, and gave him some of
the gin, but almost imtnediately after drinking which,
the unfortunate youth expired. The poor man then
took his dead companion on his back, and attempted
to return with him ; night coming on, and finding
himself nearly exhausted, he made towards a hedge,
where the snow had cemented and formed a sort o.
canopy, under which he deposited the corpse, and
laid himself down by its side until morning, being
nearly frozen to death. He then made the best of his
way to a hoase at a considerable distance, where he
procured assistance to remove the body of the youth
to Withel Church, where it now waits the Coroner's
Inquest,

Saturday, an Inquest was held at the Rose, in
Russell-street, Bermondsey, on the body of a man
(name unknown). The deceased, at an early hour in
the morning, was met by the watchman, as he was
going lii„s rounds, in Beimondsey-street, apparently-
very ill and cold. He brought him to the watth-
house, and placed him before the fire ; he, however,
got worse, and medical aid was called in, but with-
out avail : he expired shortly after: It was a very
cold night, and the deceased was but miserably clad.
The Coroner said, that he lamented- the numerous
deaths which had occurred lately in and about the
Metropolis, in consequence of the inclemency of the
weather and want of employment. He thought this
case might be fairly attributed to the sante cause.—
The Jury coincided in his opinion,- and returned a
verdict to that effect: