Star.
London, England, 1829-11-13 00:00:00

TAMPICO, August 20.

On the 17th ult. the Spanish expedition, consisting of 3,500 men,
under the command of General Isidro Barradas, landed at Punta
Xeres, near Cape Rozo. While on the march, a few days subse-
quently, towards Pueblo Viejo de Tam**, they were attacked by
about 300 Meziauts, advantageously placed in ambuscade, and the
firing was briskly maintained, by both parties, for a quarter of an
hour, but the Mexicans were eventually repulsed with the loss of
between 40 and 50 killed and wounded, one field-piece, and a
quantity of ammunition. The Spaniards bad two officers and eight
soldiers killed, seven officers and about 30 men wounded.
General Barradas marched his saes, without farther opposition,
into the towns of Pueblo Viejo and Tampico el Alta, which had
been previously abandoned. He then seized the fort at the bar of
this port, crossed the river, and took quiet possession of this town
on the 7th instant, with the loss of only two men, who were killed
by the explosion of a gun. The force of the Mexicans amounted
to between 1,100 and 1,100 men. of which about two-thirds were
militia. under the command of General La Gana. After a few
shots from the Spanish gun-boats they retreated precipitately, and
passed through this town, on their way to Altamira, in the must
perfect order.
General La Garza, on the morning of his retreat, issued a pro-
clamation. directing all Mexican citizens to quit the town oo the
instant, un pain of death, and the mandate was immediately
obeyed.

One thousand Ave hundred or one thousand eight hun-
dred men, headed by Gen. Barradas, left this place on
the 15th inst. for Mistake, which is about six leagues dia.
tent, leaving behind him a garrison of only 400 men, which
was deemed a step fraught with imminent danger to these
who remained, and a most unwise measure on his part,
and could only have been suggested by his contempt for the na-
tives. But what is even more extraordinary is the fact of his or-
dering die transports and all the ships of war, (with the exception
of one brig) to return to the Havannab, before a decisive blow bad
been struck ; and should they be compelled to retreat, they mast
inevitably be cut to pieces! However, the greatest enthusiasm
prevails among the Spanish soldiery, and they, one and all, declare
that they are determined to conquer or to die !
Early this morning
sa printed notice was circulated by the Mili-
tary Governor of the canton, Don Jose Miguel Salomon, dated
last night at eleven o'clock, informing the public that he had re-
ceived a communication from General Barradasi dated that day
from his head-quarters at Altamira, of which the following is the
substance :

" The division under his then command, encountered the enemy,
very strongly fortified. A battle ensued, in which the Royal troops
behaved with unparalleled valour, • strewing the field with the
curses of their enemies.' The General will take an early opportu-
nity of promulgating the particulars of that brilliant morn ; and
concludes by stating that the Mexicans were terror-struck, and in
their • shameful' flight towards Soto Is Marina, they forced the in-
habitants of the ' innocent' neighbourhood of Altamira to fly with
them, which village the conquerors entered triumphantly on the
1 Bth."

In condonation, it is stated that the loss of the ?deafens must
be considerable, though the Royalists themselves ally had five men
killed and three bruised / A salute of six guns was fired early in
the morning, and the Governor, with his Staff, attended Mass, to
commemorate the " brilliant morn." It is said that Gen. Santa
Anna, with 1,700 men, has landed at Tuspan from Vera Cruz, to
join the troops under the command of Gen. La Garza, and he may,
therefore, be daily looked for.
Barradas is a vigilant man, and well qualified for such an adven.
tura, but he is extremely arbitrary in his public acts, which has
rendered him rather disliked by the few inhabitants that remain,
most of whom, if not all, are foreigners. He has established a
customhouse, and thrown open the port for the admission of wines
and spirits, a s 4provisins of every kind, for a period of six months,
free of duty.

Both men and officers speak in a very confident tone of their Id-
timate success in possessing themselves of the country ; but this Is
extremely doubtful, and, unless they can bring 20,000 or 50,000
additional troops into the Seld, they will, assuredly, do no good.
A few depredations have been committed by the invaders, princi.
pally in the dwellings of the natives, who abandon their proper.
ties ; but the effects of foreigners, up to this moment, have beet
respected.
It is said by the Spanish Officers that 1,600 picked men are
daily expected from the Havanna, and an expedition direct from
Spain, composed of about 14,000 men ; but these are merelT
reports.
Amuse 21.—At about two o'clock this morning General Sues
Anna landed on this aide the river with 700 men, when the arise
commenced in every direction, but was principally maintainM
from the roofs of the highest houses, and partially in the streets.
The entire force of the Spaniards amounted to nearly 200 men ; of
these about 40 were invalids, but the whole of them displayed the
utmost intrepidity, and fought with the greatest coolness.
Alter an incessant firing, which lasted nine hours, the Governor,
SenorSalomon:ordered a Sag of truce to be hoistedZand immediately
the.hostilities ceased. While the belligerents were in treaty about
the evacuation of the place, General Barradas suddenly appeared
with the whole of his force, and in one minute be settled the mat
ter by informing Santa Anna that he might continue the conflict,
or withdraw hictinops to the other vide on the instant: Of course
he prefecred. the latter s*ternative, and embarked his men. The
loss of both parties, between killed and wounded, may be reckoned
- at atrout6o, but the Mexicans were the greatest sufferers.
The Mexicans palsied every house they Could enter, and the
property-stolen and destroyed is said to he very considerable, be-
aldis the injury whirl the buildings have sustained. Mr. Harri-
ette; at the firm of Harrison, Brown, sad Co. estimates his loss at
8,000. dollars, and no man could have acted more generously and
humanely than this gentleman did during this disagreeable affray.
limiter 1.3.-.—The packet is still detained. Nothing of any in-
terest transpired yesterday. About four o'clock this afternoon a
lag of truce was sent by Santa Anna, intrusted to an officer of ea-
vile', who was tee' beam of despatches addressed to the different
'Consols, couched in the most friendly terms, intimating to them
his intention of besieging the town, and strongly Urging them to re-
commend the citizens of their respective Governments to retire
with their properties into the interior, where they would be pm -
reedy safe; granting them; for that purpose, a period of six days,
at the expiration of whiclitermtbe bombardment will commence.
Aoa 29.—. The time allowed by Gen.Senta Anna expires this day,
and.tbe foreigners are bully occupied In shipping their goods fur
Paseo. n village a few miles up the river, from whence they will
be .f~rsiaportsd into the interior. About 400 of the Spaniards are
coo ed bY the yellow !Wier' bat their ehtlinsiasni for the cause in"
WWII-they bave-embirged does not appear to have abated. The
- Moslems tortaris atostdesabk. A few days must decide the con-
test, and It is conjectured that the Mexicans will succeed in driv: '
Mittman out otthe casta!ry.
04. Consul will embark oa boy& the packet this afternoon for
Veri Cnii;and will return immediately to this place should there
, ang"British vessel it war as that sestina. AU the foreigners
have embarked moat of their effects, and will quit the Lula Octant
sunset.—Merton` Herald. •• • • •
.k. .. 1 1.,

A correspondent of the New York Advertiser, under
the date of October 8, gives the following account of
extraordinary exhibitions which took place two days pre-
vious at the Falls of Niagara :
Like a great many other gentlemen from the provinces of both
sides of the Niagara rivulet, I was called here upon pressing busi-
ness ; and being here, I must either shut my eyes or see the show.
The arrangements contemplated the blowing up of a large projecting
rock near the Indian Ladder, at half-past twelve o'clock. on Tues-
day, the 6th ; the blowing off of a part of Mrs. Dawn's Island, on
the margin of the British Falls, at one o'clock ; and the bursting of
the outer Terrapin Rock, at half past one o'clock, on the margin of
the American Falls, near the termination of the bridge which pro-
jects out to the verge of the precipice, from Goat Island, toward.
the Canadian shore. It was originally intended to have made a
still greater blast by throwing off near a quartet of so acre of
the surface of Table Rock, immediately below where the large
fragment fell some two years since. There is a fissure of sixty
or seventy feet long, by more than a hundred deep, which
seems now almost to separate this immense block from the
mighty rampart over which it fearfully impends. And to tell
the truth, from the rapid disintegration of the shale at its
base, it already bangs but insecurely, and threatens ere long to
tembie into the abyss by its own specific gravity. And it is feared
that some rash and inexperienced young travellers may be standing
upon its summit at the time of its separation, unless it should chance
to fall in the night; as others have fallen before it. Under there
elscumnances, Mr. Foregth had determined to shake off this crag
by an artificial earthquake on the 6th ; but the colonial government
hearing of this project, and Sir John Colborne fearing, perhaps, that
the whole cataract ntight be blown up, and the upper Mee let out
to drown bin beautiful capital of York, leaving the Welland canal
high and dry, issued an order at once to prevent the explosion and
avert the dire catastrophe.
The nest " treat" was to be the descent of the schooner, at three
o'clock. Punctually to the hour she was towed to the foot of
Grand Island, and left to her own guidance, a few degrees
N.N.W. of the celebrated city of Araret, founded by a great
Rabbi of ancient times, the numerous spires and turrets and the
frowning castles of which I could not see, on account of the dense
and beautiful forests with which the suburbs of the city are
ornamented. This was truly a beautiful spectacle. At first
-the Superior looked like a dark *pot upon the water, increasing
In size as it was borne down the current. The waters above
the rapids were as smooth as a sea of glass ; and the sun shone
upon them, as upon the surface of a polished mirror. How de-
ceitful the calm ! And here I might moralize, U I bad time.
It was intended that the schooner should be swept down the main
channel near the Canadian shore. Her velocity became quicker as
the glided gracefully onward, running like a youth in the smooth sea
of pleasure, to swift and certain destruction. By and by her masts
were discernible ; and then the streaks upon her sides. And mitt/ she
approached the rapids, Xt was a moment of breathless interest. Sew
she plunged Into the breakers, and with a loud crash away went both
masts. Now she was lost in the surf ; and now again she rose
proudly upon the surge, and, though &masted. plunged gal-
lantly among the breakers like the noble war-steed in battle.—
But her struggle was short.: She had entered the rapids at too
great a distance from the shore; and wheeling round in an eddy,
broadside to the current, she struck upon a fiat rock, about mid-
way between Goat Island and the shore, where she now lies, the
hull entire, bidding defiance to the impetuous torrent which comes
dashing against and rushing by her. Thus closed the memorable
6th of October, 1622, on the Niagara frostier, with a promise
which nobody believed would be performed, that Mr. Samuel
Patch, Gent. should leap the cataract on the day following, at 12
o'clock precisely.
It was arranged that he should leap from a ladder, erected at
the foot of the precipice below Goat Island, midway between
the British and American falls. S.'m came out from a cleft
in the rock, dressed in white, and quickly ascended the ladder,
amidst cheers so loud that they would have been beard far
abroad bad it not been for the roaring of the turbulent Nia-
gara. At length he reached the pinnacle, where he sat for a mo-
ment like a sea-gull upon the corner of a cloud. Now he stretched
himself to his full length, bowed as gracefully as be could to
the gentlemen, kissed his hand to the softer sex, and made his
fearful leap. What a fall was that, my countrymen!" He
sank down, and disappeared in the whirling cauldron, which
closed upon and boiled over him. " He has made an everlasting
leap.' said an old man, wiping away a tear. It was now time to
look about for the new messenger to the deep ; and the boat plied
briskly. round the eddy to seize him by the crown as soon as he
should rise to the surface. But Sam didn't choose to favor them with
his custom, as he continued to skull himself ashore unperceived
by any body, and the next that was seen of hint be was discovered
clambering up the rocks like a soaked muskrat! He was received
with hearty cheers, and the people all scampered home to dry their
clothes, and talk grandiloquently of the hero of the day. At our
house it was voted ems. con. that Sam Patch is bat a scurvy name
for the hero who was the first to leap tile cascade, And law is the
basin of the Niagara, and that henceforward he shall be known by
the more appropriate cowmen of Samuel O'Cataract.

NOTES ON ITALY AND SWITZERLAND.

BY A WANDERER.

FLORtiNCE.—It is hard to. write any thing new on
Florence, and any thing old would be more tedious than a thrice-
told tale. Of all the towns in Italy, it is, perhaps, the moat beau-
tifully situated, as it is certainly the best governed. The present
Grand Duke is an amiable and unostentatious Prince, who appears
among his subjects without any show or parade ; his manners are
mild and conciliating, and his Government is certainly just. Yet
It is a Government of alliance, of checki- and precautions, but
checks and precautions so seldom and generally so wisely. and rea-
sonably resorted to, that those who are sometimes among the vici.
tinis do not cease to regard the character of the Date sod Foal.
sambroni, his Minister, if not with affection, at least with esteem,
The polka are active, well informed, and most efficient in Tuscany,
but they are seldom or never seen lathe public way, nor do the
molest with an impertinent curiosity or a sordid searchiogness th
vehicles of travellers. No, they confine themselves to their bursa
and barracks, and, unless some actual breach of the poste occur
thernever interfere. In thus speaking of a despotic system, I tip
not desire to be understood as advocating it ; but people in this lit
ate apt to judge more by comparison than in the abstract, and, t
him who bas recently quitted Austria, Italy, or the domtinions
his Holiness the Pope, the Government of the Grand Duke of
Tuscany eannor fail to appear. gracious. •It is hard to say whethe
the police of the Pope or the police of Austrian Italy is worst, but
I incline to think that his Holiness's thief-takers must be ace del
ef
this bad `• yre-eminence." More mercenary than the Austria
police they cannot well be, but they certainly are more instil t
and less efficient as regards toreigners, both systems (i. ..
the system of the Pope •as well as that of the Emprroro
is, perhaps, the best organised and mug ingeniously devised
plan of rubbery and plunder that can be well imagined.
—Coaling in and going out of every town your passport is called
for, and, if you enter at the critical hour of nine in the morning,
these fellows, suspecting that you are about to breakfast, put the
• question so you boldly I if you reply in Abe affirmative, your pass-
port is take, from you, on the pretest of a sire—hreakfaat
being considered a stoppage or temporary-dwelling in the town, as
Well as dhow or supper. The reason, *trod, of all this is plain.
The Cotaimimery of Police carries the passport, after an hour's 4.-
14, to y.ui. Hotel, and then Makes a' regular demand• for his
tignMsi flet. if any imposition Is practised on is foreigner by post-
masters au postilions, these police are never to be found ; and, if
you ao find them, they ale always shre to take part with-their own
country's's. • Now there is 11011 e of this is. Ts•casy.• Your p ,•S'
port is examined at the truntier town, and there is an end of it.—
At the frontier custom-house a certain Sum is paid on-the entrance
w .v 1.).,. is, !V.. ..). ~ i: :i

of every carriage. for which you are given a receipt. Thus there
can be no imposition. These are some among the many can., . •
which render Tuscany a preferable residence. I should, however.
disguise the truth if I did not declare that the vast influx of Eng-
lish to Florence (and which influx often in the groat, but always in
the detail, make it a sort of abiding place,) has contributed ro %tall
the town as a residence for people of moderate means. I spea'r
with reference to Hotels; for in an establishment of your own you
can live cheap enough The Hotels, however, are, for Italy, error -
mously dear. Dinner, without wine (for the wine of the country, ut
which travellers vaunt so much, is not drinkable), usually cost.
from 10 to IS pants a-head. A paul varies front 50. to 51d. of
our money ; and even for 15 of these pieces (about 6s. Bd.) the
dinner you do get is very indifferent. B•eakfast and lodging are
proportionally dear. This rite of price has taken place within the
last IS years. In 1815 one might have as good a dinner for five
pants as you can now procure for ;5.
The meat at Florence Is generally good, with the exception of
the mutton, which is the worst I have ever tasted Vegetables
ton are very bad; bat this Is nwio; to the extreme carelessness of
the peasantry, who take no pains to cultivate the finest soil in the
world. A rake and hoe is all they use: They are content merely
to skim the surface; and if their daily toil produce them a pound
of btead and half a pound of roast chesnuts, they are content. So
it is with their vintage ; they have the finest grapes, the most
luxuriant vineyards. and the worst wine. It is the fashion in
England to praise this wine, and more especially among medical
men, as eminently wholesome, but I confess I think it quite the
reverse; and in truth no foreigners drink it who can have any
better! When newly made it is as sweet as gooseberry or currant
wine, but 'not half so good. The Italians say it is so delicate that
it will not keep one season. For " delicate," however, read care-
lessly mad*, and you have the truth.
Alaacuauss.--In all the old Republics of Italy you will find the
most extensive and the most gorgeous palaces built originally by
merchants. At Venice, Genoa, Florence, all the noblest edifices
were raised by merchants. The founder of the house of Medics
was a merchant, so was Pisani. Barberini, and a host of others.
When these men became ennobled, however, their sons spent what
their fathers made. Hence many of the descendants are now as•
lowly as their great ancestors first were. While I write many of
the oldest palaces are inhabited by a new race of new men. Tomo-
nica, the banker, at home for instance, who was bred a baker, has
turned one of them into an Hotel. Scotto, of Pisa, who was a
porter in s wine cellar, and who is now the richest man in Tus-
cany, has turned another into his private dwelling, as has Fend,
the Jewish banker, who was an old clothesman ; and lan, though
not least, Gasperini, the hotel-keeper of Florence, who is on the
point of marrying a Noble dame' has, within a few days, pur-
chased an old Hotel, intending to retire from the sign of the Pell.
can.—Meriting Herald.