Star.
London, England, 1828-05-15 00:00:00

pearance ea the quarter delsk. teaded in the opinion
all who saw him to fis the etiolation, and improve the
patriotic spirit of the crew. At his own, as well as the
other messes, where he bad the honour of being etre-
_ _

quent guest, he was the very soul and life of the ;
.sung. a good song, told 'I Melly .tale, painted scenes
for the ship's theatricals, sketched views, drew carica-
Wes, and, in one word, was an exceedingly amusing
—and interesting person. Even the Admiral became vet y
fond of him, and invited him to remain on board the
Asia, under the promise of speedy promotion. But the
warm work going forward on the Lakes bad more
attraction for his enterprising mind, and having pro-
cured a passage in a vessel to Halifax, he bade adieu to
' the flag ship, to the regret of every individual on board,
' from the venerable Admiral down to the cabin boys.
From Halifax he proceeded to Upper' Canada, and
shortly after his arrival was made a Lieutenant, and
snbsequently appointed to command the Confiance.
schooner, the crew of which was composed of nearly all
• the unmanageable characters in the squadron. To keep
these men in order was no easy task ; yet his measures
were at once so firm and judicious, that although he
rarely had recourse to flogging, and withheld or dis-
binged alto* ances of grog as the least revolting medium
of rewards and punishments, his troops in the end be—
came so subordinate, that the Confiance.was allowed to
be one of the smartest barks on the water. . While she
rode at anchor on the spacious shores of Lake 'Erie
or Lake Huron, her Commander occasionally replied
to the woods, and with . his gun, kept himself in
• fresh provisions. In these excursions, he cultivated
en acquaintance with the aborigines, and was so much
charmed with a mode of life, full of romance, inci-
dent, and danger, that he at one time entertained se-
Timis thoughts of resigning his Commission, when the
war was ended. and becoming a den.zen of the totest

himself. But the 6t fortunately - was not permanent ;
his country had stronger claims on his talents, and the
tinge of romance, which formed a part of his nature,
yielded to more patriotic impressions, and• the spirit-
stirring scenes in which he was engaged. -At this time
he occasionally dined on shore, and as kw men rscelled
him in swimming, he not unfrequently plimged into
the water, and made for the schooner *Wont either un-
- dressing or calling for a boat. This he did. for the
double purpose of showing his manhood, and keeping
• hi. crew in the qrt vies. lithe watch were negligent, and
• allowed him to approach the ship unchallenged, some-
thing like a court-martial was held, and the offenders re•
primanded,if not punished. But this eccentricity and con-
tempt of danger,nearly cost the Lieut. his life. Having
-dined on shore, and spent the evening rather jovially, he
• • . proceeded to take a plunge in lake Erie as usual. im incr.
• sion soon sent the blood to his head, and before be had
swam a hundred yards from shore, he became so weak
that be was unable either to retreat or advance. In this•

shun:ion he contrived to float, and called for a boat as
loudly as he was able. -For long, his cries were totally,
disregaided, and he often expressed his firm conviction,
that the watch were anxious to leave him to his fate as
the best means of ridding themselves of a rigid discipli-
narian: In this emergency, a lurking fear that he would
get back to the Arne, or that the friends he had left
would become alarmed, induced .the crew at last lo.put
nut-a boat, into wives he was lifted when on the point
. of drowning, in such a state of weakness and exhaustion
that he never risked the expetimeat again.
In the year 1817, when on the-American
lakes was dismantled, Lieutenant Clapperton returned
to England, to be placed, like many otberi, on halt-pay,
- and ultimately retired'to his grandfather's native burgh
of Lochniaben. There he remained tiff 1820, amusing
himself chiefly with rural sports, when -he removed
to, Edinburgh, and shortly after became acquainted
with the a unable and lamented Dr. Oodney. It was at
Dr. 01* suggestion that he first turned his thoughts to
African discovery ; and through all the varieties of un-
toward fortnue—suf ring and sorrow, sickness and
drub, clung to his friend with the constancy of a
brother. After closing his, eyes in a miserable hut,
fit from the decencies and comforts of Britain. he
even, misted to dig his grave, and according to a letter
which originally appeared in, this Paper, read over the
lonely yet hallowed spot the beautiful burial service of
the Church of England. And here we must pause—at
least for the present. His future progress, discoveries
.and dangers, have already become matter of listory,
and need not be recapitulated in our columns. As his
Papers have been preserved by his servant, Lander,
whcoe story we should like to see sifted to the bottom,
something yet remains to be told; and the result, we
trust, will Ste long be given to the pubic, in more
appropriate language" than ours. Admiring, as we
*says did. his bravery* we very sincerely deplore hi,
• tate; aid though our time has been short, and our ma
. tesials scanty, it affords its at least a melanchely saris-
faction that we have been enabled to pay a passing
Lame to his memory.—Dumfries Courier.

•
Cakutta Papers to, the 9th January have been re-
c. A splendid public entertainment was about to be given to the
Goosaiitua-GsvasaL and the Countess of Ammar. The Erna.d
bad arrived front Rangoon with four lacs of rupees and a cargo or
teak of very boo quality, as &portion of the payment of the third
instalment by the 1121111~.. The brace of bra wanor had ob-
tained permission to pay his part in *sitar *timber, at money was
scarce in his district. It was stag in. Vides* from /sea, that
the Qtrunis brOther would pay the pf the third instalment
forthwith.- .• . •
The aeaptideson the West Bums least were last week
so low, that in Chichester and Arundel harbours vessels
lost six or seven tides for want of water, and ground
was visible which had heretofore been covered with
'two or three feet of tea= at the lowest tide heretofore
known. •
Yesterday died, in Bethlehem Hospital, the celebrated
• Margaret Nicholson, who attempted the Lk of his late
Majesty. She bat been confined in the ab .ve establish.
Anent -fort7-twu years, and during the *hole of that
period has been insane. She always appeased much
pleased whenever any of the ltoyat Faa.ily visited the
instituter)°, and on the occasion tif the death of the late
sing, requested to be allowed to wear black ribbon.
Her age is supposed to have been nearly 100 years.—
Margaret was much addicted to the use of tobacco and
snuff, and occasionally presented with a supply f roar one
albs Royal Dukes whenhe.visited the Establishment..
Yesterday evening an inquest was holden at the prof
ettial workhouse of St. Mary's, Whitechepel, before'
J.W. throw, Esq. on view of the busii.ael an ag
female, named Eliza Payne, whose deadeyes supposed
to have been occasionaed by extreme distress and star-
vation. It appeared that the deceased for some time
- past had been in a state of the greatest privation. zed
though frequently solicited-by her fellow-lodger to apply
to,the parish for relief, she, though promising that she.
would, had. tor some unexplained reason, not done so.
•On-tho.sley before, she was,seee sitting as if in a dying
state, on the steps.of a door in the court in which she
lodged, and in a short. time afterwards she expited.—ii
• • Roo the Doctor'scertikate, iR appeared that she died
fro* exbaottion; but thembeiag no diesi avideasaill
iu litiatibe icaatabato awe of dissolbsioa. Abe Joys
- .Estes Coroner. Mend a is.

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oral verdict of is Famed desit.
..