persons being burnt in the streets, and 200 killed in jumping from the walls to avoid a similar fate.

From Persia, a country with which we have formed connections that give us an interest in their concerns, we learn that the war with Russia, in the early months of 1810, was still subsisting, though with few important events. The Russians had taken by storm Sedaree, a strong fortress on the Araxes; and they had attempted to cross that river in the face of a Persian force of twice their number, but were repulsed with considerable loss. The King of Persia was very desirous of having his troops disciplined and directed by English officers; and is said to have made splendid offers to induce Gen. Malcolm to remain with him and take the command against the Russians, which he did not think himself authorised to accept

Calcutta papers, dated July 8th, give the information that a battle had been fought at Cabul between the army of Mahmood Shab,, the sovereign of Persia, commanded by Prince Abbas, and that of a chief named Mohammed Azid Khan, who had previously obtained possession of that city. In the engagement 3000 of the followers of the latter were slain, and one half of Cabul was burnt and pilJaged. Mahmood Shah made his entry into the city shortly after - the battle...

.. Accounts have been received of the extinction of that system of piracy which for a long time harassed the southern part of China, subjecting its coasts to rapine and slaughter, and carrying terror to its very centre. The fleets of these

free-booters arose to the number of between 3 and 400 war junks, armed with from 12 to 20 guns each, and carrying from 50 to 200 men. They infested the sea-coasts and cauals of the government of Canton, maintaining a perpetual warfare against the inhabitants both on shore and afloat, and intercepting all regular commerce. They frequently landed, and exacted contributions from the towns and villages, which they often set on fire after plundering, and massacred without pity persons of both sexes and every age. The Chinese government equipped a fleet to oppose the pirates, but at the first encounter the greatest part of the imperial junks struck their colours, and the rest were only saved by a hasty flight. This success increased both the num bers and the insolence of these robbers. They ventured to attack foreign ships, and interrupted the intercourse between Canton and Macao. They threatened Canton itself; and even declared an intention of removing the present Tartar family from the throne of China, and restoring the ancient imperial dynasty. The weak Chinese government, sensible of its inability to contend with such a foe, took the measure of applying for assistance to the Portuguese at Macao; and a treaty was entered into between the viceroy of the provinces of Quangtou and Quangsi and the governor of Macao, for the fitting out of a joint squadron for the guard of the coasts, By its stipulations, the Portuguese were to equip six armed vessels to co-operate with an imperial fleet, towards them expenses Aof which the Chinese were to contribute

tribute a certain sum; and when the object of the expedition was attained, all the ancient privileges of Macao were to be restored to it. As there was a deficiency of naval stores for furnishing the Portuguese vessels, application was made to the supercargoes of the English East India company at Canton, who liberally supplied from the company's ships the articles wanted.

The Macao squadron on putting to sea was joined by 60 imperial war junks, and the pirates fled at their approach. They were, however, frequently brought to action, and were always defeated with considerable loss; the brunt of the battle on these occasions falling upon the Portuguese, who received little aid from their das tardly allies. One of the pirate chiefs, in January 1810, made an offer of surrendering his fleet of about 100 junks and 8000 men, which was accepted. In February a negotiation was opened for the the surrender of the other chiefs, which broke off, and hostilities were renewed. The Portuguese pursued the pirates with great activity, and at length manœuvred so as to cut off the retreat of their grand fleet, commanded by the most daring of their leaders, named A-juo-Chay. Finding an escape impracticable, he thought proper to treat for a surrender. Advice of this event being sent to the viceroy of Canton, he repaired to the vicinity, where he was met by the Portuguese dizembargador, Miguel de Arriaga, whose honourble character soon effected an accommodation between the parties. A general amnesty was granted to the pirates, whose whole fleet,

consisting of more than 270 war junks, with 16,000 young men, 5000 women, and 1200 pieces of ordnance, besides small arms, was delivered up to the viceroy. Thus terminated, at least in appearance, this dangerous system of piracy; the weakness, however,displayed by the wretched Chinese government, is not likely to secure the empire from future outrages of the same kind. It is indeed affirmed, that although the piratical squadrons made an ostensible surrender, it was under condition that they should not be dispossessed of their vessels, and that their commander should be appointed admiral of the Chinese fleets, and should direct their operations against other pirates, who still continued in rebellion.

The alarm which had been excited by the numbers and audacity of these robbers was such, that the Portuguese government at Macao had thought it necessary for its own security to apply for a reinforcement of troops to the Spaniards at Manilla. A detachment was accordingly embarked at that place, which arrived at Macao on March 10th.

Whilst the Chinese empire was thus harassed by a rebellion of the natives, a danger threatened it on its northern frontier. An adventurer named Baghvan Ho collected a number of followers in Great Tartary, whom, in conjunction with some tribes of Mongols, he had induced to submit to his authority in the double capacity of prince and pontiff. Under the persuasion that he is possessed of supernatural power, they are said to be implicitly devoted to his will, and to display all the fanaticism of

the

the converts to a new religion. He assumes the title of king of Tartary, and is at the head of 60,000 men armed with bows, lances, and muskets. The caravans pay him tribute, though escorted by Russian or Chinese soldiers; and the merchants brought before him remain prostrate, while he addresses them in four different languages. The Chinese government has thought it necessary to strengthen its frontier garrisons, and to take measures for preventing the consolidation of a power which may subject them to a new Tartar invasion.

The above narration (copied rom a German paper) is corro

borated by a deputation sent from the Russian to the Chinese emperor, in consequence of the mart town of their commerce, Kiachta, being in the possession of the Tartars. The purpose of the embassy was to desire either that the Russian merchants might trade directly to Pekin, or that some fortified town near the frontier might be allotted for their intercourse. The reported answer from the Chinese sovereign was characteristic. "Tell your master that while the deserts separate the two nations, the friendship between us may continue. I am desirous to preserve it unimpaired, and cannot, therefore, comply with his request."

CHRONICLE.

"Captain Musquetie, Com mander in the Texel Roads, sent at day-break on the 23d the aviso and pilot-boat the Duinker, to reconnoitre the vessel that had been wrecked, but the wind and heavy sea prevented her from approaching the vessel. She had lost her masts, and was under water from about half-way up the bowsprit to behind the mainmast. The waves broke over the remainder of her.

"One hundred and ten of the crew, notwithstanding, succeeded in saving themselves in the boats. VOL. LILA

They landed behind the Texel Island, near the village of Koog, where they were made prisoners of war by the troops stationed in that quarter. Among the prisoners was a lieutenant, the surgeon, and eight midshipmen."

The chief Magistrate of Chester (General Grosvenor) gave a most sumptuous entertainment in the Exchange, to his cousin Earl Grosvenor, several gentlemen of the county, the corporation, and his friends in the city. The town hall was most tastefully decorated with variegated lamps. The tables were laid out in the following manner: two long ones down each side of the room, joined at the top in a semi-circular form; and in the intermediate area, smaller tables were laid across; in the center was placed a fine baron of beef, ornamented with appropriate devices, encircled by the motto"Of the roast beef of Old England, O! the Old English roast beef." On its right was a Christmas pie, weighing upwards of 200lb. containing four geese, four turkies, six hares, a leg of veal, a leg of pork, sausages, &c. on its sides were the heraldic bearings of the house of Eaton, supported by

B

those

those of the General, with the family motto; on the left of the baron of beef was a salad, tastefully displayed, with the motto Prosperity to the trade of Chester." This table was surmounted with two elegant transparencies, representing the east and the north gates of the city. About five o'clock dinner was served up, to which above 200 sat down. The following is a copy of the

Bill of fare.-Sixteen tureens of turtle; 8 boiled turkies; 3 bams; 4 dishes of a-la-mode beef; 5 pigeon pics; 3 saddles of mutton; 13 plum puddings; 6 dishes of muranade pork; 8 French pies; 4 roasted turkies; 8 dishes of rabbits; 3 legs of mutton; 4 geese; 2 fillets of veal; 10 dishes of chickens; 4 dishes of veal surprize; 3 beef-steak pies; 3 dishes of sweetbreads; 6 hares; 6 venison pasties; 8 dishes of ducks; 6 oyster patties; 6 dishes of mutton caserole; 6 dishes of pig; 6 lemon puddings; 8 dishes of haricoed mutton; 4 neats' tongues; 3 dishes of collard veal; a round of beef.

Removes.-Ten haunches of venison; 10 necks of venison.

Sweets.-Thirty salvers of whips and jelly, 20 moulds of jelly, 40 moulds of blancmange, tarts, cheese-cakes, mince-pies, puffs, &c. &c.

3. During the dreadful gale of this night from the north-east, not less than twenty small fishing and other vessels have been lost at Gravesend, and in other parts of the river.

Among the casualties of the late blustering weather, the principal part of the quay, erected for the preservation of the houses on the

Stade, at Folkstone, has been washed away, and several houses are consequently alarmingly exposed to the fury of the sea.

Madame Lucien Buonaparte, with her family, and a numerous train of servants, occupying in all four carriages, arrived at Ludlow on Wednesday, the 3d, having performed the journey from Plymouth in a week. Lucien removed on the preceding day from the inn, to Lord Powis's residence in that town, called Dinham-house; his Lordship's seat in the neigh. bourhood (Stone-house) being found too small for the reception of so numerous a suite. It is believed, they will remain at Ludlow during several months.

5. A melancholy accident occurred in Lough-Swilly. A boat, with a midshipman and eleven seamen, returning to one of the frigates lying near Buncrana, was upset, and the midshipman and seven of the seamen were drowned; the remaining four swam to the shore with great difficulty.

This morning a large Dutch vessel, performing quarantine off Margate, drove from her anchors, and after making several attempts to gain the harbour, came on shore in Westgate Bay, when, it not being possible to afford them any assistance, all the crew perished. In the course of Friday night another vessel was also wrecked on the Margate Sand. The bodies of the unfortunate men abovementioned have since been picked up on the shore.

7. An inquest was held on Friday se'nnight, in Gosberton fen, Lincolnshire, on the body of Matthew Slator, a labouring man, whose death was occasioned by partaking