Star.
London, England, 1811-06-28 00:00:00

Nrigtiriorr •

Cambridr, Murals*, tune 2't.
The preparations which have been making in this
town for the last fortnight, to celebrate the election of
his Royal Highness the Duke of Gcoucerrast a$
Chancellor of the University, and to perform the ce
remony of his installation with all due honours and
magnificence, are, at length, completed with a deed
of splendour never before witnessed on a similar oc.
casion. The con*encement was this morning. The
annual meeting of the President and Governors bt
Addenbrooke Hospital took place at Gfeat Saint
Mary's Church, where an excellent s.lection ducted
music was performed by the choir, and an admirable
charity sermon preached by EDWARD PRA nsoY,
?taster of Sydney Sussex College; after which an ap..
propriate anthem, composed by JOHN JAY, Mts. BAc,
as an exercise for his Doctor's Degree, was performed
in the most impressive manner. The thurch was
crowded with individuals of respectability, who seemed
deeply affected, and whose subsequent contribution
towards the support of the Hospital, fully evinced the
sentiments of their hearts.
The nett object of general attraction Was the Con-
cert, which was performed at the Senate House in
the evening, and which drew an immense concourse
of auditors, whose numbers and the splendour of
whose appearance excited the warmest feelings of
admiration.
The entertainments for the evening commenced
with a grand military symphony. This was follow.
ed by a glee " Peace to the Souls of the Heroes,"
sung with infinite pathos by Messrs. Hawes, Goss,
and Bellamy. Next came a favourite ballad by Mrs.
Ashe, accompanied by Dr. Carnaby on the piano.
forte ; at the termination of which the strongest er.
Visions of satisfaction were heard from all parts et
use house.—A Concerto on the bassoon Was also ini-
mitably performed by Mr. Holmes. This Was suc-
ceeded by a Scena from Zingorelli, by Mr. Braham,
with his wonted powers, which created the most rap-
turous sensations in the souls of all who heard it.
Then came a Glee, called the " Deserier's Meditaa
tions," written by J. P. Curran, Esq. and harmonized
for four voices, by Mr. Harrison, sung by Mrs. Ashe,
Messrs. Goss, Hawes, and Bellamy, which excited
the most unqualified approbation.
A Scena (MS.), by Madame Catalani, followed,
and produced expressions of delight and extacy.
A Song (MS ), by Hawes, was then sung by Mr.
Bellamy, and universally admired and applauded.
Madame Catalani then again enchanted the au-
dience by a song of Paesiello's, which was followed
by the " Death of Abercrombie," by Brahant, and
the musical banquet concluded with a Fiaale, Haydn.

At the close of the Poll for Sheriffs yesterday, the
numbers were, for

Mr. Aid. Birch
Heygate .
Sanderson

- 3040 I Mr. Ald. Magnay
. 490 Bridges
- 266

152
SO

Yesterday morning the Duke of CUSTERRLAND'S re-
giment, the 15th Light Dragoons, was relieved from
the King's duty at Hounslow barracks by Lord
DROGHEDA'S regiment, the 18th Light Dragoons.
The 15th marched through town yesterday afternoon
on their way to Rumford, where they are to be guar.
tered for the present. They halted at Kew, where
his Royal Highness prepared a grand breakfast for
the Officers, and entertained the whole of the men
with plenty of bread and cheese, and porter.
Wednesday 400 of the 9th Light Dragoons marched
into Plymouth to embark for foreign service—the men
for Sicily—the horses for Portugal. The remainder
of the regiment follow in a day or two.
Same day the Royal Cornwall Local Militia Artil.
levy marched into Plymouth) for fourteen days per-
manent duty.
RETRACT OF A LETTER FROM Al OFFICER, DATED AL.
WEIDA, MAY 15, 1811.
4. I presume ere this can reach you, that you must
have heard of the extraordinary and unaccountable
escape of the Garrison of Almeida, an escape that
was near being accomplished to the Utmost of their
wishes, had not part of the 36th regiment (the only
one of the investing battalions that followed them)
tracked them the whole of the night. The 4th re-
fgiment (400), accidentally joined the 36th* regiment
ast as the enemy were ascending the hill of Barbe
del Camo. The grenadiers of the 4th regiment were
ordeted in advance to skirmish with and check the
on cs of the enemy. Both the battalions formed
hill, and, opening a most destructive fire, the
French gave way in every direction. Let me now
call your attention to the Officers who conducted the
latter part of this affair, and to whose intrepidity we
chiefly owe the success of the day, viz. Lieutenant.
Colonel COCHRANE, of the 26(h regiment, and Cap.
tain BURKE, of the 4th regiment. Captain BURKE
led a subdivision of his grenadiers to the bridge, with
a view of cutting off the retreat of that part of the
enemy that had taken shelter by the rocks near the
river; this movement succeeded fully, but his party
were exposed to a most destructive fire from the ene-
my, who had occupied a house on their side of the
bridge that infiladed him completely • thus circum.
stanced, a retreat became impossible% at this rno.
I meat the Hon. Col. COCHRANE reached the bridge,
land with their combined force (not 30 men) they
carried the house in the most gallant stile, and put
the rear of the enemy's column to the bayonet.
" To do justice to this party would be impossible,
suffice it to say, that during my experience or know.
ledge, nothing has been done that has displayed more
intrepidity or strength of mind, nor has a retreat ever
been made under more trying circumstances. A di-
vision of the enemy moved out from St. Felice's, and
formed on the rocks immediately above the bridge, a
retreat became instantly necessary, which Lieutenant.
Colonel COCHRANE and the party strove to effect by
fording the river, but finding it impraeticable, were
obliged to regain the bridge, and return, exposed to
the concentrated fire of three battalions of the enemy,
every officer and private taking with him a prisoner,
a number of whom were killed by their own people.
The loss was inconsiderable, considering the tire to
which they were exposed, that 'of the enemy very
great, leaving on the field 150 killed, exclusive of
drowned, wounded, and taken, amounting in all to
upwards of 600 men.
,s Although the garrison have been almost auni.
hilated, yet it must ever remain a source of regret,
that even one of them should have effected their
escape. The light companies of the sth division canleA