Star.
London, England, 1819-10-19 00:00:00

'rOMPAINE,

TO TAE EDITOR OP Tin: STAR.

Respected Friend—ln the third page-of thy Paper
of the 12th inst. I observe, as follows—J..4 The Attor-
ney-General said, that Paine in his calmer moments
had confessed the truth of Christianity, but he (Mr.
Carlile) doubted its truth, and he was confident Paine
had always doubted it." It may be some consolation
to the friends of Christianity, to know what were
Paine's sentiments, at a period too solemn to admit
a doubt of Nis sincerity.
• The family alluded to in the enclosed Narrative is
that of Samuel Emlen, well-known members of the
Society of Friends, in America; and the correctness
of the statement may be relied on with the utmost
confidence.

I should be glad t 6 find k meet with an early in
sertion in thy very respectable Paper, and that it be
copied into others of the same class, as particularly
deserving the attention of the Public at this crisis.
• I am, with esteem, thy friend,
JAMES MADDOCK.

Alton, 15th of the Tenth Month, 1819.
THE DEATH BED Or T. PAINE.

Extract from an American letter, the writer of which is of
the most unquestionable respectability, and appears to have re-
cently obtained the information stated in it, from a person equally
entitled to credit, who had resided in a family In the near neigh-
bourhood of the celebrated Thomas Paine.

This family had, during his last illness, contributed to his corn-
fort, by occasionally preparing and sending hint food and refresh-
ments, better adapted to his situation, than he usually enjoyed.
Of these the informant chose to be the bearer to his bed-side,
although his personal circumstances were so ct:plorable, that the '
air of his chamber could scarcely be endured"; and in performing
this humane office, she had opportunities of conversation with
him, which authorized her belief, that he exhibited another proof
of Dr. Young's 'assertion,
" Men may live fouls, but fools they cannot die."
The letter proceeds to say, that she frequently found him
writing—and believed, from what she saw and heard, that when
his pains permitted, he was almost always thus engaged, or in
prayer—in the attitude of which she more than once saw him,
when he thought himself alone. One day he inquired of her, if
she had ever read the " Age of Reason?" and on being answered
in the affirmative, desired to know her opinion of that book.
She replied, that she was but a child when she read it, and he
probably would not like to bear what she thought of it. Upon
which he said, if old enough to read, she was capable of forming
some opinion, and that from her, he expected a candid statement
of what that opinion had been. She then acknowledged, that
she thought it the most dangerous, insinuating book she had ever
seen ; that the more she read, the more she was inclined to
read, and the more she found her mind estranged from all that
is good ; and that from a conviction of its evil tendency, she
had burnt the book, without knowing to whom it belonged.—
Paine replied to this, that he wished all who had read it, had
been as wise as she; adding, "'lf ever the Devil had an agent
on earth, I have been one."
At another time, when she was in his chamber, and the master
of her family was sitting by his bed-side, one of Paine's former
companions came in; but on seeing them with him, hastily re-
tired, drawing the door after him with violence, and saying—
" Mr. Paine, you have lived like a man, I hope you will die
like one." Upon which, Paine turning to his principal visitor,
said, " You see, Sir, what miserable comforters I have."
An unhappy female, who had accompanied him from France,
lamented her sad case, observing, " For this man I have given
up my family and friends, my property, and my religion ; judge
then of my distress, when be tells me, that the principles which
he has taught rue, will not bear me out."

Monday se'nnight, a pensioner at the Slates, near
Paisley, in a fit of intoxication, struck his wife with a
candlestick so severely that she died on Tuesday.—
The fellow immediately absconded .
Wednesday, a barber, in Glasgowo while shaving a
customer, took occasion to discourse about the bad-
ness of the times, and, among other sage remarks, de-
clared it to be. his opinion, that every person should
agree to break, and pay 10s. in the pound, and then
start fair anew. His customer, after getting dressed,
concurred in thinking it a most judicious plan, and,
taking a halfpenny from his pocket, offered it to the
astonished tonscr as a practical commencement of
the composition!
A beautiful meteor, apparently as large as the
moon, was observed at Glasgow on Monday even-
ing, the 11th October, about half-past seven o'clock.
Its direction was north, and was seen about four
•
seconds, when it exploded.
-About twenty partridges suddenly flew into York-
street, Nottingham, on Thursday last, and remained'
for some seconds motionless on the ground, probably
frightened by a hawk ; about four brace were taken
by the inhabitants, the others escaped.
During the anal flight made by Messrs. LIvING-
STON and SADLER, from Liverpool, such was the
fright experienced by the game• on the moors, near
Over Darwen, over which the balloon passed, that
great numbers (supposed to be from 60 to 100)
flecked down into the valley, some entering the
houses, and others alighting on the roofs, screaming
in a loud and terrified manner.
Last week, on Exmoor Forest, two kites were found
dead in a gin which had been baited with a blackbird.
In a shoemaker's shop window, in Annetwell-street.
in Carlisle, we have the following notice :—" Radi-
cals' shoes made and mended here, in a style fa-
superior to the patch-work of the Coblers of St.
Stephens !"
Saturday morning last, a dreadful accident from
the explosion of inflammable gas took place in the
George Pit, near Lumley. The gas ignited at the
candle of a hewer named Sim. M. Gee, who• had
worked into a board, where, owing, it is supposed, to
a fall of the roof, a quantity of gas had accumulated,
from a blower. By this accident, eleven men and
boys mere killed on the spot, nine of whom belonged
to Lumley and two to New Lambton. Gee and ano-
ther boy died on Sunday of the injury they sustained,
and many others have been severely hurt, but are
now recovering. It is supposed to have contained
about SO persons at the time the accide
Monday sennight Inquests
of Monmouth, at Ebbw Vale
gavenny, on the bodies of M;
set, Elizabeth Rosser, Thos. 1
and John Davis. Verdict in
Death. The following are
melancholy event :—The fami,
man employed in the works'
usual hour, in the morning of
neighbours apprehending
happened, went to the house,
the door, and receiving no s
when, to their astonishmens
lonia)+, consisting of Mary
drew, lifeless, and the house h.
vapour, which, upon investigation;
teed from a heap of burning as'
of the house, the sruniw or
brisk wind towards the premix
aperture in the back pad of

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NEWMARKET SECOND OCTOBER MEETING,

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18.
Produce Sweepstakes of 500 gs. each, b. ft. colts, Bst. 71b. fillies,
Bst. 21b.—Ab.
Lord G. 11. Cavendish's colt, by Ruben, - - - 1
Duke of Rutland's colt, by Waxy
Mr. Watson's filly Evatine
Mt paid tort,,t-7 to 1 agst Lord Cavendish's colt-6 t• Sto
Duke of ltutiand's colt-6 to 4 agst Evadne.
Lord G. 11. CavendiSh's Allegro, Bst. tnb. agst Lord Foley's
Boldface, 7st. 11th. T.M.M. 200gs.—Llead heat.-11 to Bon
Allegro.
One-third of a Subscription of 25gs. each, for 5-yr-olds, Sat. Slb.
6-yr-olds, 9st. and aged, 9st. 31b. B.C. Bona-fide the property
of Subscribers.—Twenty Subscribers.
Lord Jersey's bay horse The Giant, 5-yrs-old -
Lord Jersey's bay horse Cannon Ball, aged - -
Lord Fgremont's grey horse Skim, 6-yrs-old . -
Mr. Thornhill's brown mare Manfreda, 5-yrs-old -
3
to 1 agst The Giant-3 to 1 agst Cannon Ball.
EDINBURGH RACES AND CALEDONIAN HUNT.
The above great Scots Races commenced last week over the
new Course at Musselburgh.
MONDAY, OCDNELR 1 I.•—•.(FIBST DAT.)
A Sweepstakes of Fifty Guinoas.each, h. ft. Cults, Sst. alb. pa-
, lies, Bst. those by untried stallions, or out of mares, whose
produce never won befele the day of naming, allowed 31b.
One Mile.
Lord Kelbume'a b. c. by Stamford - -
Mr. J. H. Blair's b. c. by Stamford
Two to one on the winner. A good race.
A Gold Cup, value One Hundred Guineas, by subscription of
Ten Guineas each, p. p. The overplus to be paid to the win.
ner in specie. Three Miles.
Mr. Skene s hr. h. Lucifer, 6 yrs old
Sir W. Maxwell's gr. m. /11 Meldon, S yrs old
Three to one on Lucifer. Won easy.
His Majesty's Purse of One Hundred Guineas, granted to the.
Hunt, for any Horse, Mare, or Gelding, carrying 12st. Four-
mile Heat*.
Sir D. Moncrieff's Harlequin -
Marquis of Queensberry's b. h. Bustler
Storie's Little England
Even betting. A most excellent race.
ttiZSDAT, OCTOBES 12.
A Purse of One Hundred Guineas, given by the Hunt, for all
ages : 3-yr-olds to carry est. 4-)'r-olds 7st. 51b. 6-yr-olds and.
aged, Bst. 31b. Three-miles.
Marquis of Queensberry's b. in. Miss Syntax
Sir A. Don's b. h. Fitz-Driveller
Mr. Goodall's ch. h. Mato
Mr. Riddell's b. c. King Corney
Mr. Storie's ch. h. Little F.ngland
High odds on the winner. A fine race.
Fifty Guineas given by the City of Edinburgh, fcr any Horse,
6te. that never won a Plate or Stake of that value (Hunters
Plates excepted). Two-mile Heats.
Sir A. Don's bl. f. by Haphazard
Marquis of Queensberry's dt. e.
Lord Fife's bh c. by Sorcerer
Mr. H. Blair's br. e. by Stamford

1
t
3
4

J 1
- I

1

A well-contested rare.
MitONZSDAY, OCT. 1:5.
A Sweepstakes of logs. p.p. for all ages.—Two
Sir W. Maxwell's bay colt, by Trophonius, 4-yrs-old, Bst. 1
Marquis of Queensberry's b. m. Miss Syntax, 5-yrs-old, Est. Sib. 2
Lord Fife's bl. colt, by Smolensko, 3-yrs-old, 65t. 121 b. dis
Won easy.
A Purse of 100 gs. given by the Hunt for all ages.—Four miles.
Mr. Skene's brown horse Lucifer, 6-yrs-old - -
Sir W. Maxwell's grey mare Nell hleldon - - 2
Won easy.

1111111.11:DAY, OCT. 14.
The Caledonian Cup of 100 gs. value, being dogs. added to a
Subscription of lOgs. each, by Scots bred horses.—Three miles.
Lord Kelburne's bay colt Chance
Mr. Dowbiggin's Eglinton
Mr. Dowbiggin's cheseut mare, by Achilles - - - 3
Even betting on Chance—won easy.
Fifty Guineas given by the Right Hon. William Dundas, M.P.
for the City, for all ages.—Three-mile beets.
Sir A. Don's black filly 51arphisa - - -
Mr. Riddell's bay colt King Corney - -
5 to 1 on Marpbisa—won in a canter.
TIIDAY, OCT. 15.
His Majesty's Plate of 100 gs. given to the City of Edinburgh,
free for any horse, exc.—Four-mile heats.
Mr. Skene's brown horse Lucifer

Sir W. Maxwell's grey mare Nell Meltlon - - - 2
Nell Meldon was withdrawn after one heat, which was won
easy by Lucifer.
Fifty Pounds, by Subscription, for all ages.—Two-mile beats.
Sir W. Maxwell's bay colt Charlie Shavey - . 1 1
Mr. Ilunter Blair's bay colt, by Stamford - - 2dr
. _

Mr. Gofton's bay horse Carrick - - -
Sir R. K. Dick's grey gelding, by Stamford -

A good race.
Monday and Tuesday the sport was good, but Wednesday very
indifferent. The weather, which was bad on Monday, has since.
been excellent. The company on the ground was numerous each
day, the turf being crowded with equestrians, pedestrians, and
cat riages of every description, besides many splendid equipages.
One circumstance attending the races of this year has afforded
on small gratification so the public in general, and to the inha-
bitants of Edinburgh in particular—we mean the opening of the
new road. This splendid undertaking is at last so far finished as
to afford an admirable access to Edinburgh. The long line of
carriages pouting into town each day after the races were over—
' the numerous multitudes that waited the arrival of the company
—the beauty of the weather, and the novelty of the scene, all
contributed to please and to gratify.
EXTRAORDINARY LTAl%—Saturday se'nnight, at Carrick-on-
Suir, a fine mare, in unharnessing from the coach from Lime..
rick to Waterford, got restive, and breaking from those who
attempted to restrain her, wheeled roun'l, made a sudden leap
through a closed window into tete parlour of the hotel, and upset_
the dinner-table, in which she got so entangled that sbe fell, and
was quickly overpowered and extricated. Fortunately the com-
pany had not yet sat to dinner, hut the alarm of some wiv-i were
just about to take their seats, and particularly of some Ladies
who sat in another window, was indescribable.

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