miral's ship St. George, of 98 guns, commanded by Adm. Reynolds, and the Defence, of 74 guns, Capt. David Atkins, having, on the morning of the 24th Dec. been stranded on the coast of the Barony of Ryssenstaen, in the district of Ringkisberg. The crew of the first-named ship is said to have consisted of 850 men, and that of the last, 530 men, exclusive of officers. In half an hour after the Defence struck, she went eutirely to pieces, and the whole of the crew were drowned, with the exception of five seamen and one marine, who saved themselves on pieces of the wreck. The body of Capt. Atkins was washed on shore. In the afternoon of the following day, a part of the St. George's cabin and stern-frame, on which a number of people were standing, was perceived from the shore. A piece of the mast being cut away, a number of people got upon it, of which it is supposed but very few can have escaped, as the waves and current, which ran strong Southerly, with the wind at N. N. W. washed the people off it before they could reach the shore. Some endeavoured to save themselves on a raft, but who, according to report, had perished. Accounts had likewise been received from Lemvig, stating that the St. George was entirely sunk, and only 12 men of her crew saved. The ship was above 300 fathoms off shore. The six men saved out of the Defence have, on examination, declared, that the first cause of this misfortune was the St. George having last month lost her masts in a gale of wind when off Holland, in the Belt, and consequently, when she came into the North Sea, she could not easily be brought into stays, or keep up with the fleet which came out from Wingoe Sound."

To the above distressing intelligence we regret to add the loss of the Hero, of 74 guns, Capt. Newman, in the dreadful gale of Dec. 24, which is said to have struck on the Haak sand, near the Texel, where she foundered, and, it is stated, every soul perished.-The Grasshopper sloop struck also on the Haak, but got over it, and was subsequently wrecked. Capt. Fanshaw, the commander, and the officers and crew, are, it is said, saved, but are made prisoners of war in Holland.

A letter from G. Tyrrell, late Acting Lieutenant of the Barracouta, and then on board the Illustrious, in Batavia Roads, dated Aug. 30, says, "The Barracouta lying at anchor at Bantam, some of the natives came on board, and told us, if we would send a boat to a place they pointed out, they would give us refreshments. I was sent in the launch, with eight men armed to guard against treachery. We at night arrived at the place, but the things were not ready, so we were obliged to wait till morning. As we were

cooking our breakfast, a prow we had been watching all the morning stood towards us, so I ordered every thing to be got ready. As she approached I observed she was full of men, and therefore thought it prudent to get off; but I could not, for the prow both out-sailed and out-rowed When she came near they began to

us.

fire. I was now convinced they were pirates, and determined to board them, knowing that to be the only chance; for, if they took us, they would have put the whole of us to death. As soon as we came alongside, we cleared our way with our muskets, and jumped on board the prow. There were about 50 men in her, and we only nine. In about half an hour' we cleared her. By this time we had drifted near the shore, and the few then remaining jumped overboard. I observed four or five reach the shore, most of them wounded. I had two men killed; the other six had no wounds of consequence. Just then the Leda appeared in the offing, and we took our prize on board her, and got to the Barracouta about noon."

A small body of our troops signalized themselves by a brilliant achievement on the coast of Naples in the latter end of October. Two hundred and fifty soldiers of the 62d regiment, under Maj. Darley, who had embarked at Melazzo in the Imperieuse and Thames frigates, with 50 marines, under Lieut. Pipon, landed in the face of upwards of 900 of the Enemy, under the orders of Gen. Pignatelli, at Palinurus, attacked and took his position, and not only maintained it, but, charging the Enemy with fixed bayonets, put them to flight; next destroyed the Enemy's batteries and cannon, and three gunboats; captured six more, and 20 merchantmen; and after staying two days ashore, re-embarked and returned to Melazzo with their prizes.

at

A communication from Cadiz notices a very gallant affair on the part of the armed merchant-vessel Regent. She was tacked on the 25th of November, off Ayamonte, by three French privateers, with which she sustained a smart action for a considerable time, till, being at length able to bring the whole of her guns to bear on one of the assailants, she gave her such a broadside as sunk her immediately; whereupon her companions with difficulty made their escape. The Regent carries 12 guns, and 36 men.

Accounts from Basque Roads state the loss of the boats of the Conquestadore and Colossus, with about 100 men. The following particulars are communicated in a letter from an officer on the station"On the 27th ult. the boats of the Colossus and Conquestadore, under the command of Lieut. Stackpole of the latter vessel, and Lieut. Soady of the former, attacked

attacked an Enemy's convoy passing along shore from the Northward, and would have accomplished its capture or destruction, had not the wind suddenly shifted, just as the boats were to the Southward of Chatillon Reef. This shifting of the wind enabled the ships escorting the convoy, viz. three gun-brigs, an armed fugger, and several pinnaces, to attack the boats, the crews of which made several gallant attempts to board their opponents (and particularly the lugger, in two instances), but the superiority in numbers on the part of the Enemy rendered every attempt ineffectual. Undaunted by this superiority, or the galling fire from several batteries

and the vessels around them, our noble tars, disdaining to surrender to the gunbrigs, pulled coolly towards the shore, where they were taken prisoners (being 104 in number), except those in the boat with Lieut. Soady, which miraculously escaped. The Conquestadore and Piercer gun-brig were under weigh near the scene of action, and witnessed every part of it, without being able to give our noble fellows the least assistance. No more than four or five were killed on this occasion, amongst whom was a Master's Mate, commanding one of the boats. Lieut. Stackpole was ascertained to be well on the 30th.

FRANCE.

The conscripts, and the troops of the Rhenish Confederation, desert in such numbers on their way to join the French armies in Spain, that Buonaparte has found it necessary to issue special orders to the Prefects, Mayors, and other Civil Officers in the departments, to patrole with strong parties of military, all the public and bye-roads in their jurisdiction, and apprehend every person of suspicious appearance. The hours for this service are so varied, that, along a great extent of country, there will always be several military parties on duty, with civil officers at their head, day and night.

The Moniteur continues its fabrication of the names of foreign invalids, said to have been discharged from our service, and landed upon the Continent by our Government. The motive of this manœuvre is obvious: Buonaparte finds that the disposition of the foreigners in his army, to desert, is extremely prevalent; and this he tries to check, by attempting to induce a belief that foreigners are illtreated by us.

The city of Lisle has purchased of Buo. naparte, for a considerable sum, a new coat of arms. This is not so reprehensible a mode of filling his coffers as has sometimes been adopted by the French Ruler.

The celebrated convent of La Trappe was, on the 30th November, suppressed by a Decree of the Swiss Council.

The Mayor of Vitrey, who is 78 years of age, in walking last month through his woods, was attacked by a wolf, which, after a severe contest, during which he was dragged on the ground, he killed. The carcase of the animal weighed 120lbs.

A duel took place last month at Bour deaux, between two merchants. On the first fire, one of the parties fell, and the seconds immediately approached, supposing that he was mortally wounded; after a close inspection they found that he had not sustained any injury, his antagonist's

ball having glanced aside, and lodged in the trunk of a tree; but he was nevertheless dead; having, it is conjectured, anticipated by his terrors that fate which he might otherwise have escaped. His antagonist was wounded in the right arm.

An ordinance relative to the exterior and interior Police of the Parisian Theatres has been issued, expressly prohibiting all persons from re-selling tickets bought at the office, or selling such as have bee obtained from any other source. None are to disturb the audience by noise, applause, or hissing, before the curtain rises, nor between the acts. In the great theatres, during the whole representation, no one is to keep his hat on after the curtain rises. Every individual is to obey, provisionally, the officer of the Police. In consequence, when he is invited by him to quit the theatre, he is to proceed immediately to the Police Office, to give such explanations as may be demanded of him..

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. The death of Lieut. King, of the 13th Light Dragoons, which we noticed in p. 658 of our last volume, was attended with circumstances peculiarly afflicting and extraordinary. Appointed to command the escort of a French captain in exchange for Capt. Nixon, taken at the siege of Badajoz, he met the French escort, each attended by trumpets as flags of truce, and was induced, by civility to the French officer, to accompany them further towards Badajoz; about three miles from which place they fell in with a party of mounted Spaniards, who commenced a fire upon the party, especially upon the French trumpeter, some little way in the rear, owing to his being mounted on a lame horse, which they shot. Lieut. King instantly galloped up to the Spaniards, and in their own language would have explained the nature of the service they were upon, but they would not listen. They shot him through the heart. Thus fell as brave a

youth

youth as ever carried arms, in the laudable exercise of humanity, and the truly Christian endeavour to preserve those whom he had frequently met in the field as enemies.

The Spanish Cortes have acquitted Lieutenant-general Don Manuel de Lapena, commander of the Spaniards in the battle of Barrosa, and declare that they are perfectly satisfied with his conduct on that day. As a proof of their high approbation, they have conferred on him the Great Cross of the order of Charles III.

A very daring attempt was made by the Guerilla partizan Zaldivar, on the 8th of last month, to seize and carry off Soult, as he was taking an airing in the public walk of Bella Flor, at Seville. The design had nearly succeeded; but, unluckily, Soult was apprised by a shepherd of his danger, as he was approaching the spot in his coach; upon which he immediately returned to his quarters in the heart of the city.

The Moniteur of the 25th ult. contained, under the head of intelligence from the French armies in Spain, a short dispatch from General Suchet, by which the rumour that General Girard had shot himself proves to be unfounded. In palliating his defeat, the French commander states, that his corps did not in the whole exceed 1300 men, 800 of whom escaped. [How came it, then, that General Hill made more than that number prisoners ?]

Lisbon papers to the 6th instant state, that the head-quarters of the Allied Army remained at Freynada. General Hill, after some skirmishing with the Enemy at Los Novas, whom he defeated with the loss of 25 killed, 20 wounded, and 15 prisoners, entered Merida on the 30th ult. where he found considerable magazines, the Enemy having previously retreated.

Letters from Oporto to the 12th instant, communicate some particulars of interest respecting the armies in the Peninsula. Lord Wellington was certainly preparing to advance; and whatever latent views his Lordship might have in contemplation, such a movement, compelling Marmont to concentrate his troops, would have an important effect on the Enemy's operations in the South and North-western provinces. The force remaining with Marmont occupied, on the 28th Dec. a line extending from Toledo to Talavera. The French head-quarters were at the latter place. Avila, Momboltan, Tietar, and other places had been fortified. General Brennier was at Placentia. The Central Army amounts to 42,000 men, but it is indifferently equipped.

ITALY.

A fresh eruption from Mount Etna took place on the 27th October. Several mouths

had opened on the Eastern side of the mountain, which emitted torrents of burning matter, discharged with the greatest force from the interior of the volcano, illuminating the horizon to a great distance. Clouds of ashes also descended in the form of rain upon the city of Catana and its environs, and upon the fields situate at a very great distance. On the 18th of No vember the eruption still continued, and exhibited appearances of the most terrible disasters.

The magnificent church of Montreale, near Palermo, was burnt to the ground on the 11th December. It was an antique structure, and contained many curious monuments of antient kings. The entrails of St. Louis, who died before Tunis, and whose body was conveyed to France, were deposited in it.

GERMANY.

The Emperor Francis has met with some opposition from a party in the Hungarian Diet. He has, however, attempted to intimidate them into submission, by announcing his determination not to suffer any resistance to his measures on the part of the States of Hungary. Francis would hardly have used such language, if he did not presume upon the aid of a Freuch force in case of a revolt.

A note transmitted by the Emperor of Austria to the Stadtholder of Lower Aus tria, directs that free passage be given to such troops of the French Emperor as are now passing through the Austrian territory, and that proper supplies be granted them on their journey. The marching of these troops in such a direction can scarcely have any other object than the commencement of hostilities against Russia.

Several towns in the circles of Elbogen and Saatz, experienced, on the 12th Dec. a severe shock of an earthquake, which lasted a minute, and was accompanied by a noise resembling thunder.

DENMARK and SWEDEN.

We have advices from Stockholm to the 13th, and from Gottenburgh to the 17th inst. inclusive. They bring no confirmation of the rumoured treaty of peace between Russia and Turkey; but state, that a battle had been fought between the Turkish detachment of 20,000 men on the island of Slobodse and the Russians, which had terminated in favour of the latter. The date of this action is not assigned; but, from the fact of the Turks having surrendered at discretion, we incline to think this is the engagement alluded to in a preceding mail, and which was supposed to have led to the reported pacification.

On the 7th instant, the King of Sweden resumed the reius of government, on which occasion the Prince Royal addressed a long speech to his Majesty, congratulating

him on his recovery, and pointing out the situation, domestic and foreign, of the kingdom. His Royal Highness stated, that his Majesty, by adopting the Continental System, and declaring war against England, had ruined the produce of the Customs. That more than 2,000,000 of rix dollars had been employed in recruiting the army, repairing the fortresses, and fleet. That Swedish commerce had been reduced to a mere coasting trade. That the Danish cruisers had given great cause for complaint. That the cruisers under the French flag had committed great injuries, which his Majesty the Emperor of the French had guaranteed to redress. That fifty American ships, driven by stress of weather upon the Swedish coasts, had been released. That Sweden was on the most amicable footing with Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Turkey, That Swedish intercourse has entirely ceased with South America, owing to the civil war which rages there. His Highness, after stating the exterior relations of Sweden, proceeds by saying, that he has adopted measures to encourage the manufacture of linen, growth of hemp, &c. &c. That he has carried into execution the solemu declaration of the States, sanctioned by his Majesty, in regard to a national armament, and had ordered the embodying of 15 out of the 50,000 men placed at the disposal. of his Majesty. That the disturbances in Scania bad beca quelled. That the regular army and army of reserve had been new clothed and armed, and the pensions granted to officers and soldiers wounded in the late war augmented. "Your Majesty will perceive by this statement, that notwithstanding the calumniators of Sweden may say, it would require sixty years to organize an army of 60,000 men, she could accomplish it before next April. The object of this augmentation is purely defensive. Sweden has no other wish than that of being able to preserve her liberty and Jaws."

The last advices from Sweden state, that the French ambassador, Alquier, had demanded an audience of leave, in consequence of a difference with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. From this purpose Bernadotte endeavoured, but in vain, to dissuade Alquier, who left Stockholm without the formality of taking leave, or even of providing a Charge d'Affaires during his absence. From Stockholm, where Alquier made complaint of the influence of England, he has gone to Copenhagen.

RUSSIA.

Letters from St. Petersburg to the 21st alt state, that peace between the Russians and Turks was signed on the 26th of November. In consequence of this intelligence, the exchange at St. Petersburg

rose to 204. We learn that the peace was accelerated by a destructive battle, in which the Turks were completely overthrown, having been first surrounded by the Russians. The Turks are said to have been so completely dismayed, that they surrendered themselves prisoners of war, to the number, according to the official report from the Russian General Kutusow, published at St. Petersburg, of 35,000 men. The Russians, being completely in possession of the field of battle, found all the magazines and baggage, and took 56 pieces of cannon. The news of this important victory was announced at St. Petersburg on the 8th of December (O. S.) On this defeat of the Turks, they offered to accept those terms which they had previously spurned at: and the signing of preliminaries immediately followed; which, we learn, have been ratified at St. Petersburg.

Advices from Sweden of a late date state as follows: "Peace between Russia and Turkey was proclaimed, with the usual formalities, at St. Petersburg, on the 26th December."

ASIA.

Lord Minto has, by a formal proclamation, anuexed the island of Java to the possession of the East India Company. As the conquest was made by a King's officer, and chiefly by his Majesty's troops, it has been suggested that, like Ceylon, it should be put upon the footing of a royal acquisition, and the appointment of a Governor left with the Prince Regent.

The East India Company's ships for China will henceforward, in conséquence of the reduction of the Island of Java, proceed on their voyage through the Straits of Sunda, instead of passing through those of Malacca; and which will bring them more directly into the course of the trade winds and a smoother sea, and shorten their voyage at least six or seven weeks. AMERICA.

The Report to the House of Representatives of a Committee appointed to consider and report upon those branches of the President's Message which had reference to the foreign relations of the United States, recommends to Congress the completion of the military establishment; the raising 10,000 regulars and 50,000 volunteers; calling out part of the militia; repairing all the vessels of war for service, and advising merchant-ships to arm in their own defence. The Ame rican finances, however, seem little able to sustain the expences of these warlike preparations. It appears from Mr. Gallatin's budget, that the national expend iture exceeds the receipts by 2,600,000 dollars; to cover this deficit it is proposed to make an addition of 50 per cent. to the present amount of duties, or to resort to

the

the funding system, and raise an annual loan of three millions of dollars.

Hostilities have commenced between the Americans and Indians, and much blood has already been shed. A report was current at Philadelphia, the latter end of November, that the American General Harrison had been totally defeated by the Indians.

An article from Washington states, that, on the 6th December, Mr. Porter, after noticing the objects and views of the Committee in their Report, and dilating on the injustice of Great Britain, said, that it was "the unanimous opinion of the Committee, that these encroachments were such as to demand war, as the only alternative to obtain justice." A series of Resolutions, proposed by Mr. Porter, were then carried; Mr. Randolph in the minority. The House of Representatives, it is said, has determined to recognize the independence of South America.

Experiments are making in the United States, to express oil from the Palma Christi and the Great Sunflower.

Dr. Cathrall, of New York, lately performed the operation for the stone on a boy of 7 years. The operation was completed within the space of 5 minutes from the time of making the first incision, to the extraction of a stone which weighed 1 oz. 1 qr. and 17 gr. On examining a fragment of the stone, a portion of a fine sewing needle, 3 lines in length, was found in its centre.

Official Census of the United States, for 1810.-Grand Total, 7,239,903; of which the Slaves amount to 1,191,364.

IRELAND.

An aggregate Meeting of the Catholics in Dublin has appointed a Board of 450 persons to prepare a Petition to the Prince Regent, respecting the alleged violation committed or the rights of the subject in the dispersion of the late Meeting; with directions not to present it till the restrictions were taken off.

Dublin, Jan. 3. A communication was made to some Catholic Gentlemen at D'Arcy's, that a man of the name of Fisher was very active through the city in attempting to aosociate the ignorant and poor in a conspiracy “to separate the two islands, and extirpate the hereticks." They judged it expedient to communicate the circumstance to some men of consequence and character, and accordingly consulted with Mr. Grattan and the Knight of Kerry, who communicated with Government on the subject. An advertisement, attributed to the conspirators says nothing of separating the two kingdoms, or extirpating heresy; but is so ambiguously expressed, that it is not easy to say whether it is ironical, and persuasive of the evils it affects to deprecate, or sincere and dissuasive from them.

Jan. 6. The Catholic aggregate meeting of the county and city of Cork, was held in that city. It was fully attended by Protestants as well as Catholics. They unanimously resolved, that a Petition should be presented to both Houses of Parliament, at the time which a Committee shall think most conducive to its success. It was also agreed to address the Prince Regent.

The Catholic aggregate meeting of Limerick has also met and voted resolutions similar to those of their brethren in Dublin.

Bills of indictment have been found against upwards of 100 Orangemen for a riot and assault in the county of Fermanagh in July last; but the trials have been put off till next Sessions.

COUNTRY NEWS.

Dec. 25. Lieut. Dumaresque of the Hawke sloop, lying off Calshot Castle (where she brought up to attend on the Duke of Clarence) came to Southampton, rowed up the river from the ship by six men, to dine with Admiral Ferguson. After he had taken his dinner, he embarked in the same boat for the purpose of returning to the Hawke; a breeze springing up, they found it eligible to set the sail, in doing which the mast fell, and, overpowering the sailors, upset the boat; and the whole party, with Shirlock, a musician, whom Lieut.. Damaresque had taken into the boat, at the request of the men, to amuse them during the holidays on board, were plunged into the river. Lieut. Dumaresque, the musician, and five sailors out of the six, were drowned.

Dec. 30. Considerable damage was done by a thunder-storm in Cardiganshire. Seven head of cattle were killed by lightning, which also consumed fifteen stacks of corn, a rick of hay, and killed a farmer in bed at Mabwys, without injuring his children, who were sleeping with him.

Dec. 31. At Portsmouth Theatre, this evening, John Harrison, a young lad, aged 14, the son of a widow, a slopseller, on entering the gallery, rushed down to the front, exclaiming he would either get a front seat, or go into the pit. There being no iron railing, he was precipitated down a height of 30 feet, and died next morning.

Edinburgh, Dec. 31. This night, being the last of the year, and, on that account, devoted, by immemorial usage and the custom of the place, to innocent festivity, the streets of Edinburgh were disgraced by a series of riots, outrages, and robberies, hitherto, we may truly say, without any example. During almost the whole of the night, after 11 o'clock, a gang of ferocious banditti, armed with bludgeons and other weapons, infested some of the leading streets, and knocked down and robbed, and otherwise most wantonly