Star.
London, England, 1826-05-16 00:00:00

MASQUERADE-KING'S THEATRE.

The hst Masquerade for the season (as the bills say) was given
last night at this Theatre. The pit was, as is usual on such occa-
sions, boarded over, so as to form a 4pacious area on a level with the
regular stage ; the entire affording ample space for the movements
of the masters, while the bates appeared to be occupied by those
more respectable persons who attended rather to behold, than play
a part in the fantastic levities of the scene. The same crowds, the
same tumult, the same bustle and motion, brilliancy of dress,
beauty of females, anomaly of grouping, bolstering k+cularity, and
ruthless movement ; the same figures, the same faces, and the iden-
tical costume; the usual quantity of ambiguous respectability and a
similar nigation of almost all histrionic ability. In this we must not
include every spirited Jerry Diddler, who dressed and played his
part with very commendable impudence, and afforded altogether a'
very respectable specimen of brazen gentility in ruins. The fanci-
ful personatlons of the night were ifterrupted for a short time
and heightened by a particle of real action, in the shape of s serious,
'and regular boxing match between a Roman Senator and a British
Tar. We had several excellent 'word fight*, some quadrille
dancing more spirited than graceful—music of all sorts, from the
lowest note to the top of the compass, ranging through the diapason,
melody run mad, and harmony In an uproar. Refreshments were
copiously supplied through the night, and es unsparingly par-
taken by both maskers and spectators. Remarkable characters of
all classes, from the Peer down to the pugilist, some real fine men,
and one most veritable dray-man. A-kin to, him, a coal-heaver,
appeared and was good, so good that we scarcely think it could be
acting. The dancing lasted to a very late, cc rather early hour,
after broad daylight.

The Duke and Duchess of CLARENCE, the Princess
AeetmA, Prince Leprous, ice. were of the dinner party given by
the Duchess of RUT, at her apartments la-the Knis's Palace, Ken.
singten, en Sunday.
Yesterday morning Mr. Secretary CANNING arrived
at the Foreign Dice in Downing street, from Salt Hill, and after
attending to some °facial business, left town in the afternoon of
his return to Salt Hill.

The Earl of Livaarnot. loft town yesterday for his
seat at Coombe Weed, saar Kingstoa, Sarrey.
Sunday the Earl of HARROWBY left town. _ _ _

Mr. ViTARRRN, the King's Messenger, arrived last
night at the Foreign °thee, with dispatches from St. Petersburgh.
We understand that a new novel, entitled " William
Douglas; or, the Scottish Exiles," is just on the eve of publication.
Report speaks very favourably of this work, as possessing great
historical interest, and exhibiting a vivid portrait of the religious
spirit of the times. It is said that the period which the author has
selected is during the reign of C1111.11.1.11$ li. and his successor—a

period pregnant with the most important lessens in morals, politics,
and religion.—Ediwist►gh Paper.
Accounts yesterday from the Continent, particularly
from Berlin, state that great fear is entertained that the affairs
between the Russia. and Turks will not end amicably.
A letter from Paris, in giving the account of the fall
of Missolonghi, states, that after the Greeks had put their wives and
children to death,they threw themselves into the flames and perished.
Lord Maormus, Sir GenaCia COCKIRRN, and Srl
Getman Crean, left town yesterday, to inspect the works soil's on
at Sheerness Doek-yard.
Letters were teceived yesterday from Bahia, dated
the 12th of March. The Emperor of Brasil and Sir
CHARLES STUART were both there, and apparently on
terms of the most fr'endly intetc-lut se. The Emperor,
it is added, was to return to Rio de J -ineiro on the 21st,
accompanied by the British Anibassad r. The Em-
pfror's reception in the province is said to have been
highly gratifying.
We regret to state, that Disp itches have been received
at the Colonial Office, from Nlajor-General the Hon.
FRSIDERICIL PONSONEY, the Lord High Commissioner,
pro tempore, in the lonian Islands, announcing that the
fate of the long.disputed fortress of Missolonghi, was
finally decided on the night of the 22d and 23d ultimo.

It appears that the garrison, having become despe-
rate from the total want of provisions, and the failure
of the Greek fleet, under Admiral MIAVLIfit to throw
supplies into the town, determined to retire from the
place. A sortie was accordingly made by 800 men,
under two Chieftains, with the hope to gain possession
of one of the batteries upon the sea shore, which was
defended by a large body of Arabs ; and the town was
partially set fire to, at the same time, with the view of
diverting the attention of the besiegers.
It was hoped, that by this attack a way would be
opened for the remainder of the garrrison ; but this
plan had been foreseer, by the Turks, and their posts so
strongly reinforced, that, atter attempting in vain to
force a passage, by cam ing the battery, the body, led
by the tvio Chieftains, dispersed, and endeavoured to
save themselves by gaining the mountains.
They then poured into the town, an I put to the
sword or made prisoners all who opposed them.
Tt e loss su,tairied by the Turks on this occasion is
not reported ; but the obstinacy of the Conflict may be
estimated by the fact, that although b:tweeo two and
three thousand Greeks perished in the town, and at the
toot of the mountain, only 150 are reported to have
been taken alive. Of the women and children, a con-
siderable number are said to have destroyed themselves,
or to have been drowned ; but above 3,000 have been
returned as prisoners.
The alarm created by their dispersion was quickly
communicated to those who were to follow on this
hazardous enterprise, who now abandoned their posts
and sought shelter in small numbers in the most tenable
places in the neighbourhood of the town. In the midst
of the confusion, the Turkish troops rushed on from the
sea and land side, and took possession of the fortifica-
tions, to which, as a signal of victory, they set fire.
On the 2d of April, the two Commanders, IBRAHIM
PACNA and the SERA= I ER, had, it appears, sent a sum-
mons to the town with an offer of terms, and a promise
to the inhabitants that their lives should be spared on
giving up their arms; and that they should be at
liberty to proceed to any part of the Turkish dominions,
but these proposals were peremptorily :ejected.
G BINWICII FAlL—Yesterday morning ushered in
the holiday festivities at Greenwich Fair, and the most
extensive preparations were made. One of our Royal
Princesses, who is Ranger of Greenwich Park, in oppo-
sition to repeated applications to the contrary, ordered
the Park gates to be thrown open to the public for their
amusement, and to be observed hereafter so long as the
fair continues to exist. This Royal mandate of course'
attracted vast crowds from the Metropolis, and at an
early hour the town was filed with visitors, who coa-
dneaed themselves with the utmost order and decorum.