King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Foundation Stone of the Theatre, Covent Garden, was laid by H. R. H. George Prince of Wales, MDCCCVI. On the reverse-Robert Smirkes Archi, tect.-Added to these were a series of all the coins of the present reign; and this box was inserted by H. R. H. in a cavity made in the stone for its reception.

H. R. H. then poured upon the stone the offerings of corn, wine, and oil, from three silver goblets. During this ceremony all the bands played God save the King, and a second royal salute was fired by the artillery..

KING'S THEATRE.

This theatre opened for the season on Fri day, 6th January. It has been refitted with great care; the boxes new-papered and paint ed and the benches and chairs renewed.

All the actors in the Italian Opera are the same as last year, with the addition of Naldi, whose return was hailed with great applause. The actresses, on the contrary, are all different; but hitherto we have seen only two, Signora Collini and Signora Griglietti. The latter had already made her appearance three years ago on this stage; as a singer she ranks far above mediocrity; but in her acting she wants grace and dignity. Collini made her debut in the comic opera of La Capricciosa Sentita, the music of which, by Finavanti, is lively and pleasing; particularly in a finale at the end of the first act, and in several airs, and a duet. She appeared to feel the difficulties she had to encounter, in succeeding an actress and singer of such known popularity as Catalani, and her unassuming manners and countenance sa prepossessed the spectators in her favor, that had she wanted it, she would have obtained from them a boundless indulgence. She is an elegant woman and a very pleasing actress. Her voice is mellow, powerful, and in the lower notes somewhat resembles that of Grassini. She sings with great ease, taste and precision. Her figure and acting reminded us of Catalani; but the powers of the latter are much more commanding and of a superior cast.

Two new dancers made their first appear ance in this country on the same night; One is Vestris, the grandson of the Dieu de la danse,* as he called himself, and son of Auguste Vestris, who was in this country some twenty years ago, and whose agile powers we have frequently witnessed, as well here as at Paris and Versailles. He is a very young man, and although he is not so well made as his father, he is not inferior to him in point of strength and agility, whatever he may be so

The saine whose vanity led him to remark that the three greatest men living were Frederic of Prussia, Voltaire, and HIMSELF.

in the most scientific branch of the art, and in some both natural and acquired qualifica tions. His great excellence consists in the duration and velocity of his pirouette, or spinning round on one foot. He finishes it with a slow and graceful movement which relieves the almost painful sensations produced by his wonderful exertions in the first part of it. In every other respect he is infe rior to his father and must leave the palm to Deshayes.-Angiolini is a little but extremely elegant figure, finely shaped; and she dances up to Vestris with a considerable show of his skill, and a greater portion of grace and sou plesse. Their pas de deur is altogether a fine performance and drew great applause.. The ballet seems to have been composed in a hurry. The subject of it has been ill chosen and awkardly treated; the scenery is shabby, and the machinery is still worse,

Patent for the Edinburgh Theatre.—A new Patent for the Edinburgh Theatre has been granted by his Majesty for the term of twenty-one years from September next, when the present Patent expires in favour of the Duke of Buccleugh and Lord Viscount Melville. As it has been thonght expedient vest the contract of the dramatic amusements of this city in a committee of gentlemen residing on the spot, we understand the noble patentees have assigned the patent to the following gentlemen:- The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Lord Advocate for Scotland, the Solicitor General for Scotland, the Keeper of the Signet, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, and the successors in office of these gentlemen, the Lord Chief Baron of Exchequer, Sir Patrick Mur ray, of Ochtertyre, Bart. Gilbert Innes, of Stow, Esq. John Hay, Esq. Banker in Edinburgh, Henry Mackenzie, Esq. David Hume, Esq. Advocate, and Wm. Erskine, Esq. Advocate, with power to them to grant leases from time to time not exceeding the term of five years.

From the respectability of the names attached to this theatre, we presume the | Edinburgh admirers of the Drama will not be forced to witness the many depravities the London theatres exhibit every evening, to the almost total exclusion of those old fashioned frequenters of theatric exhibition-the lovers of morality and decency. Perhaps a theatre in London guaranteed by similarity of arrange ment (we mean a committee of gentlemen!) might do more to effect a reform of the abuses so often complained of than all the preaching of our moralists.

ON THE LADRONES.

ON THE LADRONES.

[Concluded from page 738.]

Account of their Numbers and Force; Discipline and Divisions; Nature of Depredations; and Treatment of Prisoners; with other Observations, made by Mr. Turner, First Mate of the Tay Country Ship, during his Captivity among the Ladrones. I shall now proceed to make a few remarks, respecting the force, discipline, &c. of the Ladrones; so far as they came within my observation, during my confinement among them.

Numbers and Force,

at 500, neither of which suppositions I think exceeds the truth, the total number of these. pirates will amount to 25,000 men. Inde pendent of the force above mentioned, several of the vessels have belonging to them a row boat, mounting from 6 to 10 wall pieces, and swivels; also well armed with boarding pikes and swords, according to their size, carrying from 18 to 30 men. These are rigged with one or two masts; and pull from 14 to 20 oars. They are more particularly employed in going close along shore at night; that do not pay them tribute, and to carry to plunder and desolate villages and farms off such of the inhabitants as fall into their hands. They chiefly infest the mouths of the river Macao, and such places as have small The total number of vessels engaged in trading boats. They in general leave the piracy on the south coast of China, and large vessel an hour or two before sunset, which are known to Europeans by the name and return about noon the following day; of Ladrones, is, as nearly as I can conjec- though they are sometimes absent two or three ture, between five and six hundred sail.days. They lie at anchor during the day, so These are of different sizes; the largest may be about 200 tons burthen, the smallest do not exceed 15, but the greater part are from 70 to 150 tons. Like other Chinese vessels, their draught of water is much less than the generality of Europeans, of the same burthen. As they have not been built on purpose, by the pirates themselves, but, are vessels which, from time to time, have fallen into their hands, there is nothing in their construction or appearance to distinguish them from Chinese trading vessels.

as not to be seen by those on whom they intend making their depredations. At dark, they issue forth, and plunder whatever falls in their way. Sometimes, when successful, they go on the sides or tops of the hills, and on perceiving any boat or vessel which they think they can master, they immediately give chace to it. The Ladrones are abundantly supplied with shot from Macao and Wham poa; stolen, I suppose, by the Chinese, from the forts and shipping, at those places, and brought by them for sale.

I have seen so many 18 pound shot brought, that they were refused; and these, I had every reason to believe, came from Whampoa, When at close quarters they frequently use nails, fragments of iron pots, &c. which supply the place of grape and cannister. Of powder of Chinese manufacture they readily procure what they want, from different places.

The largest carry 12 guns, from 6 to 12 pounders, the rest carry according to their size; besides long wall pieces, matchlocks, pikes with bamboo shafts, from 14 to 18 feet long, which they use, by throwing them, like javelins, at a distance; also shorter ones, with shafts of solid wood, the iron part being similar to the blade of a dirk, slightly curv ed, and made sharp on one edge or both. These they keep in their hands, for fighting Their numbers are kept up, and even conat close quarters, for which they also use siderably augmented, partly by such of their. short swords, hardly exceeding 18 inches in captives as are unable to ransom themselves; length. Like the guns in the Chinese forts and partly by Chinese, who come daily from and vessels, those of the Ladrones are mounted different parts of the coast to join them. It on carriages without trucks, having neither will hardly be credited, how great the numbreechings, nor tackle, and, being all run ber is of this latter description. I have freout-right a-beam, never pointed fore and aft,quently seen 5 to 10 come at one time; and they are obliged, in making an attack, to wear the vessel, in order to bring the guns to bear on the object. A man stands with a match, ready to fire, as soon as he has a good aim. The guns are previously elevated or depressed according to the distance. Having in this way fired their broadsides, they haul off, to reload. The number of men in each vessel is generally considerable for its size. The larger have upwards of one hundred men. Few even of the smallest have less than thirty. If we average the whole at 50 men, and reckon the number of vessels VOL. V. [Lit. Pan. Feb. 1809.]

on one occasion, upwards of 30. Some of these were doubtless vagabonds, instigated by poverty and idleness, to embrace this criminal mode of life; but, many were men of decent appearance; some of whom brought money with them. The only reason I ever heard them assign for their conduct was, that the Mandarines of their district were unjust, and that they came away to avoid their oppression. These people who go voluntarily to join the Ladrones, are at liberty to leave them, I believe, whenever they choose; as several of them left them, after being with the La2 K

instance where, on the ransom agreed upon being brought, the person was not given up. Should those, who are supposed capable of paying for their release, refuse to do so, they infallibly expose themselves to the cruel treatment above mentioned.

which they pay honourably. The fishermen are generally the bearers of these supplies.*

If the Ladrones are not endowed with that desperate valour which is the characteristic of many other pirates, yet, I conceive, they are by no means devoid of courage; I have Those who are unable to ransom them-repeatedly seen them stand very well during selves are detained, and obliged to assist in working the vessel, and other duties. They are never allowed to go on shore, even for water, without some of the volunteer Ladrones accompanying them, armed; notwithstanding which precaution, they at times escape; but, if retaken, are most severely treated, or perhaps put to death. I have understood, that at the end of four or five years they obtain their release, if they wish it: but the habits they have acquired, or their dread of being recognised as Ladrones, prevent the greater part from returning to their former occupations.

With respect to the women who fall into their hands, the handsomest are reserved by them for wives and concubines: the chiefs and captains having frequently three or more; the other men seldom more than one; and having once made choice of a wife, they are obliged to be constant to her. No promiscuous intercourse is allowed among them; but the greater part of the crew are satisfied without women; a few are ransomed, and the most homely turned on shore.

Children taken are generally detained, and brought up as servants, &c.

Division of Plunder, &c.

When a vessel is taken, and the owners do not ransom her, which is sometimes the case, both vessel and cargo are destroyed; if not wanted by the captors; but, in general, the best vessels are kept, and armed as Ladrones.

The cargo when of use to them, is distributed among the ships of the squadron; and it is in this way they are partly supplied with necessaries. Whatever money is found in their prizes is brought to the commander of the squadron; as also the sums received for the ransom of prisoners and goods. Of this, a trifle is given to the immediate captors; part is reserved to purchase provisions, and other supplies, according as they are wanted for the use of the squadron; and a certain proportion, though I know not what, is paid to the chief of the division.

From this source, and the tributes formerly mentioned, there is generally a large quantity of specie on board the vessels of the chiefs. I have been told from 50 to 100,000 dollars. Out of this they supply such squadrons as may have been unsuccessful in their cruizes. The Ladrones find not the least difficulty in procuring supplies of provisions, and all other Mecessaries, on every part of the coast, for

an attack. I was told by an American, and some Portuguese, who had seen more of them than I had, that they are apt to flinch, when wounded. I have heard themselves declare, that they were not afraid of an áttack, either from the Chinese government, or any other; and that nothing would give them greater pleasure, than to meet the Mandarin junks at a distance from Macao, on nearly equal terms. As an instance how well they will defend themselves, if hard pushed, I may mention, that a Ladrone junk fell in with four Mandarin junks, all larger than herself, which after an engagement of some time, she beat off; having one man killed, and two wounded.

I have heard them also assert, that some time or other, when there were no foreign ships at Whampoa, they would make an attack on Canton: and should the Portuguese cruizers oppose their design, that they would burn them: whether this was bravado or not, I do not pretend to say; but it is certain, they go among all the islands, singly, and in small bodies, without fear of molestation.

In the foregoing account I am sensible that I may have touched on some points with which the gentlenen resident in China are much better acquainted than I can possibly be; but I thought it better to run the risk of stating some facts, which might be already known, than of withholding any which are

not.

(Signed) I. L. TURNER. Canton, 11th August, 1807.

COLLEGE OF FORT WILLIAM, AT
CALCUTTA.

Speech of LORD MINTO, at the Public Disputa
tion in the Asiatic Languages, held February
27, 1808.

[Concluded from p. 749.]

I shall begin with the Affghan, which is spoken as well in Rohilkund, and all the Affghan districts in our possession, as in Affghanistan proper.

The first steps, in facilitating an access to that

language, were made, I understand, by Emir Mahummed, a native of Peshawer in Afghanis tan, who, at the instance of Dr. Hunter, formed a vocabulary of this language, accompanied by translations into Pooshta of a few short tales in prose.

The field, however, did not long remain in his single occupation. He was joined by a zealous orientalist of our own country, who, invited by these first specimens of Affghan produce, was

tempted into this new province of philology. The fruits of this association were, the extension of Emir Mahummed's vocabulary into a considerable dictionary; an essay on Afghan grammar; and a more finished version of the prose compositions.

understand, is neither difficult nor rare, amongst Europeans connected with China; but they have achieved, in a degree worthy of admiration, that which has been deemed scarcely within the reach of European faculties, or industry; I mean, a very extensive and correct acquaintance with the written language of China. I will not detail the

The progress did not stop here. The interest of the Afghans-awakened to the honour of their lan-particulars of the examination which took place guage, by the curiosity and exertion of strangers; and Mohuebut Khan, a chieftain of Rohilkund, a learned man, and son of the celebrated Hafiz Ramut, roused by the researches of col. Collins concerning the Affghan composition, set about compiling a dictionary of the Pooshta language, which with the assistance of his own learned Affghans, he accomplished in the space of one year; a work, which I am able to say, on better authority than my own, does high credit to the spirit and exertion, as well as to the learning and capacity of the Rohilla chief.

The Malay' language is that of trade and general intercourse on the shores of the Eastern Isles, as well as on the Malay PeninsuJa. In our sentiments on the Prince of Wales's Island and on Sumatra, it is of the same importance as the Hindoostanee and Persic taken together, in this part of India; for in addition to its being the language of general intercourse, it is also that of deeds, official papers, and records. It is, therefore, satisfactory to know, that this medium of human communication is not entirely neglected. At Penang, Mr. Shaw has made considerable progress in publishing a grammar of the Malay language. This work, by the accounts of it which have reached me, will be found to contain a considerable mass of very valuable materials. Mr Shaw has sought for his information at the fountain head; both in the most approved Malay compositions, and at the courts of the Rajahs of that country, where he has the merit of having resided for the laudable purpose of improving his knowledge of the language.

The same language has been successfully cultivated by Mr. Raffles, secretary to the government of Prince of Wales's Island, who, much to his honour, has been long employed in compiling a Code of Addat Malaya, or Malay Laws, from the best authorities in the Malay and Bouguese languages.

on the 10th of this month at Serampore, in the Chinese language, the report of which, however, I have read with great interest, and recommend to the liberal notice of those whom I have the bonour to address. It is enough for my present purpose to say, that these young pupils read Chinese books and translate them; and they write compositions of their own in the Chinese language and character. A Chinese press too is established and in actual use. In a word, if the founders and supporters of this little college have not yet dispelled, they have at least rent, and admitted a dawn of day through, that thick impenetrable cloud; they have passed that oceanum dissociabilem, which for so many ages has insulated that vast empire from the rest of mankind. Let us entertain at least the hope, that a perseverance in this or similar attempts, may let in at length upon those multitudes, the contraband and long forbidden blessings of human intercourse and social improvement.

I must not omit to commend the zealous and persevering labours of Mr. Lassar, and of those learned and pious persons associated with him, who have accomplished, for the future benefit, we may hope, of that immense and populous region, Chinese versions, in the Chinese character, of the Gospels of Mathew, Mark and Luke; throwing open that precious mine, with all its religious and moral treasures, to the largest associated population in the world.

It is impossible to be silent to-day on the change which has removed from your chair the eminent scholar, who, speaking in the scale of human rank, now fills a higher place. I cannot, however, condole with you on that event, because, in reality, while additional honours have fallen on the heads of your two most distinguished members, no substantial alteration is experienced by your learned body. The promotion of Mr. Colebrooke, will not be found to withdraw him from the cultivation, the protection, or the encouragement of learning. To operate such a revolution, it is not enough to pass Mr. Colebrooke from one honourable station to another; he must be made a new man, and divested of himself. He who, in Asiatic letters, facile princeps, surrounded by illustrious scholars, has held by acclamation and genera! consent the highest place, can neither abdicate that precedence, nor lay down either the practice of study or the literary affections and solicitudes which are its attributes. The benefit which the state is to receive from the seat he now occupies is not detracted from you. His new honours are new ornaments to your so

If I have not passed beyond the legitimate bounds of this discourse, in ranging to the extremity of those countries, and to the furthest island of that vast Archipelago in which the Malay language prevails, I shall scarcely seem to transgress them, by the short and easy transition thence, to the language of China. I am in truth strongly inclined, whether regularly or not, to deal one encouraging word, to the meritorious, and I hope not unsuccessful effort, making, I may say, at the door of our college, though not admitted to its portico, to force that hitherto impregnable fortress, the Chinese language. The means we all know, that in the present circumstances can be employed in that difficult undertaking, are very in-ciety, and his additional rank and authority augconsiderable. The honour is so much the greater to those, whose enterprize seems already to have opened at least a prospect of success. Three young men, I ought, indeed, to say, boys, have not only acquired a ready use of the Chinese language for the purpose of oral communication, which I

ment his power, without diminishing his zeal to serve your cause. But if, in literal truth, it must be said, that one golden branch has been broken off from your tree, non deficit alter. Your chair is again filled by a distinguished scholar, and an upright and an able magistrate. In both charac