Star.
London, England, 1820-08-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.

SlR—Reading in your Paper, the report of a recent
discussion in the House of Lords, respecting the vari-
ous modes of administerin Oaths to Foreigners, in
our Courts of Justice, in which her MAJESTY'S At-
torney-General is represented as referring to the case
of a Chinese, who was sworn, by merely " holding
up a saucer and uttering certain words." I take this
method (should you think proper to insert my letter)
of acquainting your Readers, that the said saucer
was, after being held up before him, committed to
his hands, when, dashing it to the ground, he uttered
the awful imprecation that his body like this vessel
might be shivered to pieces, should what he uttered
prove false! This explanation will serve to place the
poor Pagan in a less ridiculous light than he might
otherwise appear in. The occasion of this oath, was
the prosecution of a woman of the town, who was
proved to have robbed him, at Shadwell.
Your's, MASON CHAMBERLIN.

Divine Service was performed before her MAJESTY
and the whole of her household, at Brandenburgh
House, on Sunday, by the Rev. Mr. FELLowas.

The Italian witnesses in Cotton-garden were last
Sunday engaged in dancing and singing, with the
additional exhilaration of music. The movements
of some of them were so grotesque that it was fan-
cied they had got their old companion Majontet once
more among them.

A ludicrous scene occurred at Abingdon on Thurs-
day evening, which certainly shews the spirit of its
inhabitants, respecting the QUEEN. It appears that
as early in the evening as seven o'clock, the principal
houses in the streets were closed, both shops and pri-
vate houses, and every one looking occasionally for
something to pass by. The streets were in one con-
tinual motion, and the people talking on their fa-
vourite topic—the Qualm. It appeals that the Poli-
tical Barber of the town had used very harsh words,
in the heat of debate in public company, and, as they
said, thrown foul aspersions on the character of her
MAJESTY. The mobility hearing of this, became
very indignant, and made a collection of pence to
burn the effigy of the barber in the most public man-
ner. The procession now arrived, attended by hun-
dreds of people, shouting " GOD save Me Queen !"
" Lon► live the Queen !" " Queen Caroline for ever !"
&c. 'I he effigy, a fair likeness, was drawn in a wag-
gon by two horses. It was seated on a tar-barrel,
supported on each side by two men in surplices and
masks, one of them having a book in his hand, and
behind him stood a sweep, representing one of the
imps of Satan, with tar-barrels, faggots, &c. in the
rear. The whole was surrounded by men with poles,
swords, and staves, to keep -off the population, and
give it the effect of a procession of a criminal to the
place of his execution. The procession passed slowly
down Ock-street, preceded by drums and fifes, play-
ing the Dead March, stopping occasionally to allow
the attendant on the offender to exhort him to re-1
pentance. The man had certainly got his lesson
well, for he repeated his exhortation in the most im-
pressive manner, and in such an audible voice, as to
be heard throughout the whole crowd. When it had
proceeded to the extremity of Ock-street, it returned
and passed by the market-place to pay a visit to Sir.
C. Wocseuey, who was standing under the front of
the jail, viewing the scene. The utmost good hu-
incur still prevailed, and all seemed to participate in
the mirth which it excited. The procession now
moved on towards the place of execution, accom-
panied by an immense number which flocked toge-
ther. The place they had selected was in a large
field about half a mile from the town. Here a gib-
bet was elected, about 20 feet high, surrounded with
tar-barrels, faggots, &c. The culprit soon arrived,
and after an earnest exhortation to repent of his opi-
nions, so hastily formed and so rashly expressed, and
the violence of temper which had brought him to
that untimely end, he was tied round his neck by ali
rope, and suspended from the gibbet amidst the
cheers of the populace and shouting of " Queen Cci-
rolinefor ever !" A light was then applied to the
faggots, which soon enveloped him in smoke, and
filially in flames. Thus ended this most ludicrous
scene, which for the spirit with which it was execu-
ted was never surpassed. It was conducted with the
most perfect good humour, no one ever attempting
to molest them, nor was there the slightest disposi-
tion to a breach of the peace. The whole scene was
quickly proposed and as promptly executed, for many
of the most respectable inhabitants were not aware
anything was in agitation.