The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-09-06 00:00:00

ISPTEMBER.

_board her,. taking with him the Royal stn. "dirt!. .A fresh
breeze having then oprong, the yacht procieded quitkly to-
wards Sheecotes,followedlly Lord Darnley in hik own yacht.
with his eldest inn, Sir-Archibald Christie, and a Party Al.
friends, and Sir thirtjaika Hallo 'lien's yacht filled with a
party of officers and ledbia..
Precisely at tweatritie minces aftei nine his Royal
Highness reached Sheereess Harbour, where all were in
anxious expectation of his arrival. as the Ships were decked
in their gayest attire, and digs innumerable were displayed
from every mast. The number of craft collected at this
period would scarcely a halt of calculation; and all seemed
thronged with passengers. male and female, who evidently
took a deep interest io the scene. Every deck was cow.
pletely covered. The moment the Royal standard was seen
approaching, the yards were.again prepared to be manned,
and the sailors, in their best attire, blue jackets and white
trowsers, were seen in Roster round the masts, teady to
rue out at a given signal. Thp Portsmonth yacht havine
brought to. the Admiral's barge came alongside, and his
Royal Highness descended and was immediately rowed to
the Lord Howe, on boarJ which he embarked, and at that
instant the Royal standard was hoisted at the mainmast
head. Thiaksat_the siieseatilor tagute_Land the four shirt
of war we have already mentioned firerritielitytdne
each, while the men cheered from the yards. His Royal
Highness was received by Lord Melvitle, Lord Liverpool,
and a long list of Naval and Military Officers of distinc-
tion. An elegant repast was prepared on board, of which
his Royal Highness partook.
There was a guard of honour of fifty men on board the
Howe; which lined the poop, while a military band, which
was alsO en hoard, continued to play the most lively sirs,
which were echoed from toe steam boats in the harbour.
Some of these had arrived from Itaniegate, some from
Margate, others from Southend, and a considerable tim-
ber from Lan ion. A few of the latter did not reach
Sheerness till after the exhibition had been concluded—to
the great mortification of their companies, which were
numeroas end highly respectable. We allude particularly
•to the Venus and Sovereign, which were freighted fur the
occasion.

As the morning advanced, immense crowds were seen ap-
preaching the Dock Yard, who were all directed to the'
respective Places set apart for their reception. Those with
tickets went immediately on board the Howe and Hercules,
and in a short time, the decks of these favoured vessels
.were comp!etely covered NMI beauty and fashion.
At half past ten, the tide having made great progress, the
Damon, which obstructed the entrance to the Basin, was
removed, and the way left clear. The Howe was now gra-
dually pointed, with her head towar.is the gate, so as to be
warped in at the appointed time. We regret t.i say, !hat
while this operation was performing, one of Cie men assist-
ing in pulling the hawsers, received a blow, which struck
him senseless, and he was carried from the yard to all ape
pearance dead.
Attention was now attracted bp the approach of a military
band. and In a few minutes about five hundred marines
marched into the yard, and formed a line round the area
Within the platform already described. A detachment of
the 13th regiment, on duty in the garrisan, came in at the
mine time. The appearance of these men, on reaching their
respective stations, was extremely pleasing, and gave addie
tional brilliancy to the spectacle.
The Howe, soon after eleven o'clock, was seen gradually
pushiogber head intothe basin. The wind was high, which
Rave her rather of undulatory motion, and the band on
'Marti at the mothent striking up " We're a' Noddin," the
sleet, combined with the general coarp d'wil both on land
and water, was peculiarly striking, and stewed to diffuse
uaiversal cheerfulness.

Half-past I I was the hour fixed for the actual entrance
into the basin, and precisely at that moment the magnificent
vessel entered, the bands both on board and on shore strik-
ing np " Hod Save the King;" the soldiers presenting
arms, and the multitude loudly cheering. So soot; as her
stern passed within the basin a white pendant was hoisted,
as a ssgual at the Pier Head, and the bands changed their
note to " Rule Britannia." At the same moment another
Royal Salute was commenced firing from each vessel in suc-
cession, and the men again manned the yards, while hearty
and reiterated cheers were re-echoed from the shore to the
harbour, and from the harbour to the shore. It is
impossible to imagine any thing snore gratifying than
the scene which was exhibited at this moment—a scene in
which all seemed to be alike interested.

The Lord Howe was now giadually conducted to the side
of the Dock, where she was safely moored, and towered
like an immense castle ever those below. Shortly after-
wards the Hercules was seen entering the basin with the
same ease as hail marked the entrance of the Howe. She,
however, came in in silence, and was quietly introduced to
the second Dock, where her bottom is forthwith to he ex-
amined. It Is expected that the Howe will be docked this
day for a like purpose.
At this period of the bosioess the Lord and Lady
Mayoress, who had come pest from London, arrived in the
dock-yard by land, and were immediately conducted on
board the Howe, where they part3ok of the collation which
had been prepared.
The company on hoard the Howe how gradually began
to retire, and to inspect the docks on foot. At three o'cleek
his Royal Highness also took his departure, and proceeded
to the bodge of the Commissioner, whither he was followed
by several persons of distinction, who had been on board
with him. The moment his Royal highness quitted
the Howe, the Royal Standard was struck, and a third
salute fired, followed by the cheers of all in the harbour.
The populace were then gratified by a view of the tote•
rior of the new docked vessels, and all appeared highly
delighted not only with the spectacle which they had wit-
nessed, but with the utbaoity with which they were
treated throughout the day by every officer of the yard.
His Royal Highness returned to Rochester lasi night,
and will this day inspect the Royal Marines at Chatham.
After which he will.dine at the Regimental Miss. The
Officers have Made the most costly preparations to receive
his Royal Highness in a manger becoming his rank.
On Monday his Royal Highness will inspect the Marine
Artillery, and afterwards dine with their worthy Com-
mander, Colonel Williams.
In consequence of most of the passengers who hail came
down on board the steam vessels. having landed, to have a
closer view of the Docks, the confusion created by their
re-embarkation, was imui--ose.fhe boats were not suiticient
to carry them off, and the tide was running so s rong down
that it was utterly impossible to stein the current, and thris
many of them were left behind, This pryluced a ico•NI deal
of mortificatioin aswell as some inconvenience ; but it way
not to he. avoided. Many remained for the night at Sheer.
ness, while others feund their way to Cnatharoby various
conveyattiCis, and thee worked their way to Lo eon. At I I
o'clock last night some of the London steatn-boais hal not
arrived at the Castom-hoase.

it
On Thursday, August 23, an invest was held at Gains.
borough, before George Yoqter, El.; Coroner, upon the
body of Charles Jealous, pilot, Who, it appeared; While
amokinp his pipe. unfortunately lisd it broken in lila
treolith, arid'elte eft fr beinz forced tl;e io of o?
mouth, produced a mortification.—Verdict," Died by the
1 viAit.otion of WI"