Excerpts from London Chronicle January 18-19, 1810

THE PERSIAN AMBASSADOR

Yesterday was the day appointed for the introduction of his Excellency the Persian Ambassador to her Majesty, which was arranged to be conducted with equal attention and splendour to that of the introduction to his Majesty. Soon after two o’clock, her Majesty’s carriage and six beautiful bay horses, with three footmen, who, together with the coachman and postillion, were dressed in state livery, in every respect as if to attend her Majesty, except wearing hats, instead of velvet caps, arrived at his Excellency’s house in Mansfield-street. Soon after his Excellency’s Master of the Mule and Page set off in his Excellency’s carriage to the Queen’s Palace, with the presents brought by his Excellency from his Court to her Majesty. In a short time after, his Excellency followed in his Majesty’s carriage; a number of persons were attracted around his Excellency’s house, in consequence, who behaved in a very respectful manner. His Excellency arrived a few minutes before three o’clock at the Queen’s Palace, preceded by the carriage of Sir Stephen Cotterel, the Master of the Ceremonies, and accompanied in her Majesty’s carriage by Mr. Chester, the Assistant Master of the Ceremonies, Sir Stephen Cottrell being indisposed, and Sir Gore Ouseley, his Excellency’s Interpreter. His Excellency was conducted by Mr. Chester to her Majesty’s Drawing-room, and introduced to her Majesty by Earl Morton, her Majesty’s Chamberlain, with the same pomp and form as if her Majesty was holding a grand public drawing-room, all her Majesty’s state attendants being present, consisting of Colonel Desbrow, her Majesty’s Vice Chamberlain; Earl Harcourt, the Master of the Horse; Colonel Upton, the Equerry; Master Anson, her Majesty’s Page of hOnour, and the other Pages; Ladies J. Thynne and Ely; Misses Courtney, Brudenels, S. Coleman and Wrottesley. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Princesses and the Dukes of Kent, Cambridge and Brunswick. His Excellency delivered his credentials to her Majesty, which were most graciously received. His Excellency also delivered the present from his Court, consisting of three boxes of jewels, several choice shawls, and a curious carpet, which were most graciously received.

His Excellency was in the Palace about half an hour, and returned in her Majesty’s carriage through the Park, and then got into his own carriage. His Excellency is expected to attend the Drawing-room this day at St. James’s Place, in celebration of her Majesty’s birth-day.

THE HON. GEORGE VILLIERS.

We have felt it to be our duty to inquire particularly into the desalcation found in the accounts of the Honourable George Villiers, Paymaster of the Marines, before we laid the case before the public. It has been long suspected that this branch of the public expenditure was conducted in a very loose and imperfect way; and it is a most grand and convincing proof of the necessity of a reform in office that such a flagrant case should have been suffered to go on for so many years.

The Honourable George Villiers succeeded to Gabriel Stewart, Esq. in 1792 and from that time to the present, we believe, his accounts have never settled. His first Clerk was Edmund Waters, Esq., and we understand, that the management of the office was left very much to that gentleman.--The practise was to apply, by estimate, for a sum prospectively, for the service of the month to come, and a floating fund was thus permitted to remain in the hands of the Paymaster to an immense amount. Mr. Villiers indulged in agricultural experiments and has his residence (by the peculiar favour of his Majesty) in Cranbourne Lodge, which has been fitted up for him at an enormous expense.--The speculations of Mr. Waters have not been confined to any one branch of adventure, but have been notoriously extended to almost every species of traffic. He has been, at one and the same time, a merchant, manufacturer, contractor, broker, builder, iron-monger, stage manager, warehouseman, dealer and chapman in every commodity; and is, fortunately for the account to be rendered just returned from a trading voyage to America. It is the same Mr. Waters who supplied the Opera House with necessaries upon commission, during the direction of Mr. Gould, and was appointed his executor. The various and multiple concerns in which Mr. Villiers and Mr. Waters engaged did some time ago give rise to an enquiry into the accounts by the Navy Board; and it appeared that a balance unaccounted for of 284,000l., was due to the public at the end of 1804. How much it has increased or diminished since that time has not yet been made out; but we understand that in Mr. Villier’s account current he has shewn that certain sums have, from time to time, been transferred to other heads of service which reduces the balance due by him, at the end of 1804, to about 250,000l., and that his accounts are so complicated, that it will require a considerable time to make them up to this day.

In the meantime he has resigned; and no doubt an extent has issued against his property and effect, for the security of the public as far as they will go. Mr. Villiers has enjoyed, for many years, the peculiar favour of his Majesty. He is Marshal of the Bahama Islands, and Registrar of the Admiralty Court at Gibraltar.

Lord Mulgrave has appointed his brother, General Phipps, to be the new Paymaster of the Marines, and for the future the issues are to be kept in the Bank of England, as indeed, they ought ever to have been kept. Whether General Phipps has been bred an accountant, and is so far conversant with business as to be qualified to be effective in an Office that has been so long trusted to a deputy, we know not: the brother of the First Lord of the Admiralty may be an accomplished book-keeper; but if he is not, it is an abuse of patronage to place him in the Pay Office of Marines.

The Inquiries to which the establishment of the independent Board for Auditing the Public Accounts has given rise, have also led to the discovery of some most gross malversation in regards to Prize Agency, of which the public, we trust, will soon learn some particulars.

Margaret Martin was indicted for assaulting Sarah Fiddeyman, an infant under three years of age. The circumstances of the case were as follows:--

Mrs. Martin, the defendant, resides in Gloucester-street, Lambeth, and the infant is the child of one of her neighbours. A quarrel, it appeared, had arisen between a lady who resided in Mrs. Martin’s house and another of the fair sex who graced the same street. The quarrel had collected a number of spectators; amongst the rest a butcher on horseback was a looker on. Mrs. Martin, whose prowess is well known in the neighbourhood had, it appeared, issued forth from the house, armed with a hair broom, which she determined to use in behalf of her lodger, and for the purpose of dispersing the mob; and the butcher, being the most prominent object, became the first point of attack; the broom, however, not possessing power sufficient to set the butcher’s nag in motion, she resolved to adopt the Irish mode of starting restive cattle, and relinquished the broom to her fair ally, she retreated into the house, and returning with the kitchen poker, she, with athletic arm launched if full against the butcher’s steed, and the crowd by whom he was surrounded. The poker unfortunately taking a wrong direction, struck the infant, who was standing at its parent’s doorstep, and inflicted a very dangerous wound on its forehead. The defence set up was, that the defendant had not intended to injure the infant, and had expressed her sorrow immediately after it happened.

The CHAIRMAN observed to the Jury, that it was immaterial whether the defendant had intended to injure the prosecutor; she used an unlawful instrument and must answer for the mischief arising from her own imprudence.

The Jury found her guilty, and the Court sentenced her to six months imprisonment in the House of Correction, and at the end of that period to find sureties for her good behavior for five years, herself in 100l., and two sureties in 50l., each.

After the sentence was passed the husband of the defendant came forward and, addressing the Court, said he was willing to give the prosecutor forty guineas and to find securities for the defendant’s good conduct for five years if the Court would change the sentence from imprisonment to fine. He stated that the father of the child was satisfied with the offer.

The CHAIRMAN, however, observed, that the parties concerned might be satisfied, but it was also necessary for the satisfaction of public justice that punishment should follow conduct so violent as that of the defendant had been; the Court therefore could not sanction any such compromise.

The intensity of the frost continuing with unabated violence, every pond, pool and sheet of water, in the vicinity of the metropolis, was yesterday covered with skaters of all descriptions. The principal diversions were, however, taken on the canal in St. James’s Park, and the Serpentine River in Hyde Park; the former was crowded with gliders of inferior rank, who made no insignificant display of agility in the art, and the novices, as usual evinced their wonted alacrity in tumbling. In Hyde Park the river was covered by skaters of a superior order amongst whom were several Officers of the Army and Navy and many young gentlemen of rank who all displayed activity and grace in the slippery sport. We did not observe amongst the skaters any females but the banks were filled with belles of fashion, who appeared much amused by the exhibition, and who, no doubt, according to the history of agreeable sensations, amply prepared themselves for the evening comforts of warm rooms and good cheer.

POLICE

MARLBOROUGH-STREET

A charge of assault was yesterday made at this office by a servant of Major Malcot against Captain Howard arising out of the following circumstances:--The Major’s carriage was standing at his door in the Edgeware-road when Captain Howard crossed the road with his lady, and not being able to pass the carriage without going into the dirt, it being in the crossing, he attempted to put the horses back; but the coachman not relishing this interference with his command, kept the horses at play, and the Captain sans ceremonie, opened the carriage door, in which were three ladies, let down the steps and attempted to pass through; the footman prevented him, and the Captain put himself in a boxing attitude, for which the charge of assault was preferred. He was ordered to find bail. 

On Thursday last, five prisoners (convicts under sentence of transportation) attempted to escape from Mullingar gaol, in a manner perhaps unprecedented for madness and desperation. They set fire to every thing combustible in their cells, from which they would certainly have escaped, the doors being very improperly of wood, had not the smoke almost suffocated some of the other prisoners; the groans of whom awakened the gaoller, by whose exertions, assisted by the City of Cork militia, the prisoners were secured and a ladder of ropes, provided by their friends outside, was take possession of. 

January 19

QUEEN’s BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was celebrated as the natal day of her Majesty, who attained her 65th year on the 19th of May last. The inclemency of the weather was a considerable drawback upon the splendour of the Court. Numbers, as usual, came from the country to view the Nobility and Gentry and the various attractions of the day, the splendour of which retained the attention of the spectators till near five o’clock. The day was announced in the morning by the general ringing of bells, and the flags and standards of the United Kingdom were displayed from the steeples of the different churches, and the Tower, and other public buildings, ships in the river &c. Her Majesty’s Officers of State and attendants gave entertainments, and her tradesmen dined together.

The Guards on duty during the day wore their new clothing; and previous to the guard marching off from the parade that morning, they were inspected by the Dukes of York, Cambridge, and Gloucester, and Sir D. Dundas. They consisted of the battalion of grenadiers and the bands belonging to the three regiments in state liveries; that of the 3d regiment was entirely new for the occasion, a present from their Commander, the Duke of Gloucester. The addition of the three bands, was in expectation of the presence of the Persian Ambassador; and in addition to this preparation for the occasion a regiment of the Life Guards was mustered on the parade. The marching off of the guards was detained till eleven o’clock, waiting for his Excellency, whose non-attendance, we understand was occasioned by indisposition.

At one o’clock a double royal salute was fired in St. James’s Park and the Tower.

Indisposition prevented the Prince of Wales and Princess Sophia from being present. The Prince is indisposed with a swelling under his right eye.

Soon after nine o’clock, their Majesties, the Princesses, the Dukes of York, Clarence, Cumberland, Kent, Sussex, Cambridge and Gloucester, and Princess Charlotte of Wales, breakfasted together at the Queen’s Palace.

In the course of the morning, the Bishops of Salisbury and Bangor, and a number of dignified Clergy paid their respects to their Majesties upon the happy return of this day.

About half past twelve o’clock her Majesty, Princess Augusta, Elizabeth, Mary and Charlotte of Wales left the Queen’s Palace, escorted by a party of the Life Guards, and proceeded to the apartments of the Duke of Cumberland in St. James’s Palace, where her Majesty dressed. A sumptuous cold collation was provided, of which her Majesty and Princesses partook. The Archbishop of Canterbury then delivered a speech of congratulations upon the return of the day.

When her Majesty and the Princesses left the Duke’s apartments, they were joined by their state attendants, and proceeded to the Presence Chamber. Forty boys, educating in navigation, in Christ’s Hospital, with Mr. Gwynne, their master, at their head attended to the Presence Chamber, as her Majesty passed; they were presented to her Majesty and the Princesses by Alderman Sir J. Anderson, President of the Institution, and J. Palmer, Esq. Treasurer. Her Majesty and the Princesses examined their performances with great pleasure. The Royal Party then proceeded to the Grand Council Chamber conducted by Earl Morton, her Majesty’s Chamberlain, and Col. Desbrow, followed by her attendants. Her approach being announced, the center door was thrown open, and her Majesty took her station between the second and third window, dressed, as is the etiquette on her own birth-day, very plain.

The Princesses, as usual, arranged themselves on her Majesty’s left hand according to their ages. The Royal Dukes stood near their sisters.--The Lord Chamberlain then waved his wand to Sir W. Parsons, who was attending with his Majesty’s band, to perform the New Year’s Ode. The music was adapted to it by Sir William, from the works of Handel. The vocal parts were sung by Master Wylde, Mr. W. Kayvet, and Mr. J.R. Sale. The band was led by Mr. Dance. Mr. Kayvet, sen., presided on the piano-forte; principal oboe, Mr. Park; principal violin, Mr. Shield; principal bassoon, Mr. Holmes.

Among those who had the honour of being presented was Mrs. Pinkney, the Lady of the American Ambassador; and among those who first paid their respects were the Sardinian Ambassador, the Duke of Brunswick, Lord Castlereagh, Lord Clancarty, Alderman Sir W. Curtis, Lady and Miss Banks, Sir John and Lady NIchols, the American Ambassador &c.

At the Court there were present, besides her Majesty–the Dukes of York, Clarence, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex and Gloucester; Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth, and Mary, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of York, Princess Sophia of Gloucester, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Great Officers of State, the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Sheriffs and Recorder of London. Prince Castelicala, and a very numerous list of the Nobility and Persons of distinction of both sexes which our limits will not permit us to enumerate.

Among the immense number of presentations we noticed–Messrs. Perceval and Dundas on the appointments to their respective offices; Sir Sidney Smith, Sir R. Wilson, and a numerous list of naval and military officers, on promotion and return from foreign stations; the Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, the Sheirffs, Aldermen, Sir C. Flower and Hunter &c.

The Drawing-room closed about half past four o’clock, when their Majesties had a select party to tea and cards.

The Grand Installation Ball of the Knights of St. Patrick was given on Monday se’nnight at the Rotunda in Dublin. The Duke of Richmond presided as Grand Master, and the Earl Conyngaam assisted as High Steward. The fete was extremely magnificent. Dancing continued till half past four in the morning, when the principal part of the company began to disperse; but many remained till past seven.

On Monday evening, Hobart-house the residence of the Countess of Buckinghamshire, was opened for the first time this season to upwards of 200 persons of distinction and fashion. Among whom were the Persian Ambassador, the Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Leeds, and the Marchioness of Salisbury. At the entrance of the drawing-room were exhibited the four Seasons, most tastefully executed by her Ladyship, which had a most beautiful effect. Upon the entrance of the Prince of Wales, God Save the King was sung by Mrs. Billington, Madame Blanchi, and Naldi. The refreshments consisted of every delicacy that could be procured.

Extraordinary Story

Dublin has for some time been agitated with the following extraordinary story, which has superseded every other subject of conversation in that city.--Some years ago, two blind men, on the foundation of Simpson’s Hospital, ‘for the reception of decayed, blind, and gouty patients,” were poisoned. The poison was administered in a cake, which two men, seemingly of their acquaintance, had left with them, upon paying them a visit at the hospital. Large rewards were at the time offered for the discovery of these enormous criminals, but without effect, and the transaction appeared nearly buried in oblivion, until within a few days since, when Mr. ________, a gentleman of large fortune, and hitherto of amiable and respectable character, publicly charged his mother, Mrs, _________, with having procured the perpetration of this horrid crime, and with equal publicity declared his intention of bringing her to justice, alleging that they were material witnesses in cause of considerable importance, in which a friend of hers was a party, who would be injured by their evidence. These declarations of the son, being frequently repeated, reached the ears of the mother; and a few days since, she called upon him, accompanied by a professional gentleman of the first eminence and respectability; but, so far was he from expressing any contrition, for what (in any point of view) may be called his unnatural conduct, than he again, and to her face, reiterated these charges and declared he would substantiate them by the testimony of respectable witnesses. Under these circumstances the mother applied to the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench (Downes) who granted a fiat for 200l., against the son. We understand the affidavit was couched in such vague, loose and general terms, that the Chief Justice conceived he ought not to exceed that sum; but that, upon being apprised of the particular nature of the slander imputed to the son, he lamented the affidavit had not been more specific; as, in that case he would have granted a fiat to almost any amount.

We have been for some time in possession of the whole of the case, the names of the parties, and the particulars of the cause alluded to; but, from motives of delicacy, we have carefully abstained from even glancing, in our relation, at the names But as the law has been now appealed to, and the charge is in progress to that state in which it must soon come before the public, we feel no impropriety in giving the substance. The general opinion in Dublin is in favour of the lady. On the other hand, it is difficult to conceive, that a son of sound mind, could possibly make such a charge, knowing it to be without foundation.