MINOR CORRESPONDENCE. T. C. B. in reference to the promise of SINEX, p.326, observes, "the precision with which your venerable Correspondent gives his account, is of a nature which would not only render his communication a subject of interest to your valuable publication, but would also render an important service (and at the same time an act of retributive justice) to the case of the claimant to the title of Lord Leigh, as that claimant expressly derives himself from the said Honourable Christopher Leigh, whose issue, SENEX says, he has no doubt, for the reasons assigned by him, may have a just right to the Leigh peerage. We regret having inserted the Letter of "SENEX an. æt. 82," as he now declines sending the inscription on Christopher Leigh there spoken of, which we think he was pledged to do; and that he ought to be prepared to prove its authenticity, if called upon. We should be obliged by being favoured with his real name and address, if no objection exist. A CONSTANT READER remarks, "it having been stated in some of the public prints that the Dukedom of Buckingham and Chandos was, in failure of issue male of the grantee, to devolve to his grand-daughter, I should feel obliged by information as to the truth of the statement, particularly as such remainder was not specified in the Gazette. Lord Nugent is entitled by birthright to the dignity of Marquess of Buckingham, in failure of the Duke's issue male, and the remainder alluded to would be in some sort an infringement on his contingent dignity. A Duke and Marquess of Buckingham might then exist at the same time. The inconvenience of such remainders has been evinced in the Scotch Peerage, in the case of the Dukedom and Marquesate of Queensberry; they have been separated, and gone to different lines; the Marquesate and Earldom of Annandale in like manner, the former dignity appertaining to the male, the latter to the female line." The same Correspondent states, that "Viscount Keith (whose biography is contained in p. 273) had three baronies, two of which devolve to his eldest daughter the Countess de Flahaut; viz. the Barony of Keith of Bankeath, co. Dumbarton, English honour, and the Barony of Keith of Stonehaven Marischal, Irish honour; but the Barony of Keith of Stonehaven Marischal, co. Kincardine, English honour, being limit ed to male issue, of course becomes extinct." W. H. G. says, "from your review of Wright's Wicklow, I was induced to pur chase the book, and feel much pleased with the general accuracy and interest of Mr. Wright's performance. Allow me, how ever, to point out a few trifling errors. In the preface the Walshes are mentioned as aboriginal chieftains,' which their name evinces; they were not, but ancient British settlers. Mr. Wright states, that the Viscounty of Powerscourt had become thrice extinct, instead of twice only, as the fact is. He is also erroneous as to the titles borne by the Eustace family; he supposes the Barony of Portlester and Viscounty of Baltinglass to have been enjoyed by different branches, whereas they were held by the same person, Thomas Eustace, Baron Portlester, who was advanced to the dignity of Viscount Baltinglass, in 1573. Mr. Wright alludes to the Baronies of Castle Martin and Kilcullen, as peerages enjoyed by the Eustace family, but Beatson in his Po litical Index has no record of such honours." H. L. T. requests information as to the pedigree and descendants of Robert Eglesfield, a native of Cumberland, Confessor to Queen Philippa, who founded Queen's College, Oxford, an. 1340. G. W. L. asks, "how we are to account for the remarkable diminution in the number of stones composing the stupendous pile of Stonehenge, since Dean Swift, not a century ago, counted them. His accuracy, even in trifles, is well known, yet at that time they amounted to ninety-two or ninety-threed (See his Letter to Mr. Gay, in Pope's Works, dated Nov. 10, 1730). Now, in the first, of two interesting Letters on this rude wonder of our Isle, inserted in yours for April, A. H. makes at this time seventyfour only, in number; and as both calculations were corroborated in each instance by another person, and each time counted twice, the correctness of either cannot be doubted. What then is become of 18 or 19 such enormous masses? for it is to be hoped that the obstacles attending the removal of them, must deter any builder from commit ting so cruel a spoliation; else as in toot many instances they would soon leave not a rack behind"." Z. would be glad to be informed whose daughter was Jane, the widow of John Pye, Gent. of Kilpeck, in the county of Hereford, to whom he left, by will dated 15 July, 1729, all his estates in Gloucestershire. The will was proved at Hereford, by his son, in 1731. 2. inquires if a view of the Old Church, Wanstead, Essex, is to be met with. The Letter of An Old Practitioner,” is more suited to a Medical Jourual than our own. We omit II.'s communication, as we are not of opinion that ladies devote much time to the study he alludes to. Miss Blandy's Trial, for the murder of her, father, will be found in our volumes for 1751 and 1752. TH MAGAZINE. MAY, 1823. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. ORIGINAL LETTER FROM THE LATE EARL OF ROCHFORD. HE following interesting epistle, pourtraying the manners and amusements of the Spaniards, was transmitted to the Gentleman to whom it is addressed, when the noble author was Ambassador Extraordinary at the Court of Madrid; to which official dignity he was appointed, on the 8th of June, 1763: he resided in that quality, with an equal attention to the interest of his country and the honour of his Sovereign, until June 1766; when he returned home, and was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the most Christian King. His Lordship died at St. Osyth in Essex, in Sept. 1781. See vol. LI. p. 491. I HAVE received yours of the 20th ult. and am much obliged to you for being so regular a correspondent. Few events from England are so interesting to me, as those that happen at St. Osyth. The loss WOODS has had of his wife grieves me much but I hope he will not be fool enough to marry again. As for my two dogs, he must certainly have them broke in: but tell him, there is a race of pointers the King of Spain has, not so big as Prince, and the best in the world. These I will get the breed of, if I can; though his Majesty is very choice of them. These dogs lead me to a BULL FEAST. I saw one, the other day; and, of all the sights I ever saw, this was the finest. The Amphitheatre put me in mind of an old Roman one. Two men on horseback, with spears in their hands, and dressed in silk stockings, exhibited themselves. The bull was as large, and as fierce, as ever I saw one. As soon as the folding gates were open, out he rushed. The Cavalier raised himself in his stirrups: and the bull ran furiously at him. He avoided his horns, and met him with the lance in his neck; but the bull turned about, and (at one stroke) tore out the horse's entrails, and flung down both man and horse. The other cavalier immediately presented himself; he, more dexterously, pinned the bull in the neck; and broke his lance in him. The man that was unhorsed mounted again; for it is the rule never to quit the horse till he dies outright. The spirited steed went again to the charge with the greatest courage: and this time his rider also pinned the bull, and broke his lance. But the horse's wound now grew worse with straining, and he died. Then, seven or eight men on foot came into the circle, all armed with little spears about three feet long. One went directly up to the bull, who rushed at him; and, while the beast stopped to lower his head, the man planted, most cleverly, both the darts in his neck. This enraged the bull, who ran roaring about with the two darts in him; when another attacked him, and served him the same. At last, he had quite a necklace about him. Then, one took a sword; and, when the bull made at him, he leaped on one side, and thrust the sword through his neck. The victim died upon the spot. When they have missed their blow, and are closely pursued by the bull they run, lay their hands upon a palisado about six feet high, and jump in amongst the people: and often narrowly escape; though their dexterity is far beyond what I could have conceived. We saw twelve bulls killed in 388 Original Letter of the Earl of Rochford. this manner, and three horses lost their lives; but no man was hurt. One bull pursued a man so close, that in his eagerness, at one leap, he cleared the six feet pale, and jumped in among the people! And fine screaming there was; but, by good luck, he did no mischief, for they scrambled up upon the benches, and he kept below in the round, till a door was opened for him to come into the circle again. Only conceive an immense Amphitheatre, in the Roman stile; boxes above, where the ladies and gentlemen sat; and, below them, about twelve rows of benches; then, a close palisade, six feet high; then, a large spacious circle, about seventy yards diameter. In short, the sight was the finest I ever saw; though I was assured these bulls were gentle, in comparison of what they are in summertime.. Thus much for BULL-FEASTS. JOURNAL. 10th February, 1764. His Catholick Majesty returned from the Pardo to Madrid. 11th. Count Rosemberg, the Imperial Ambassador, was supposed to arrive, and was entertained at the King's expence, at a house provided for him, and furnished by the King. In the evening there was a Bevida at this house, which was large and well-furnished. A BEVIDA is this: First, all the pages magnificently dressed, followed by gentlemen out of livery, but in an uniform dress, come in one after another, with large silver dishes, containing various sorts of ice. The gentlemen carry silver plates and napkins, and give each person one. After they have appeared two or three times with various sorts of ice, they return again with chocolate and biscuits; then, a third time, with large dessert glasses full of sweetmeats: and what people cannot eat, they pocket. After every entry, they return with glasses of ice-water. 12th. A great dinner of Rosemberg's, at the house where the King entertained him. Two tables, one of an hundred covers, and one of sixty, well and magnificently served. In the evening, a Bevida, as before. 13th. Ditto. N. B. No ladies assisted at these three feasts. 14th. Count Rosemberg made his public entry. Was poorly attended by coaches. He proceeded to the palace of Buen Retiro; demanded solemnly the INFANTA. At night, there was a [May, play at the opera-house in the palace; which is a fine theatre, and was wellilluminated. Afterwards, fire-works and a ball at the Great Chamberlain's, the Duke of Lozada. 15th. The marriage contract was signed. Fire-works and a play at the Retiro, as before. 16th. In the evening all the ladies and ambassadors who were to assist at the nuptials, met about five o'clock in the Palace. The ceremony was very short. The King led in the Queenmother, and the Prince of Asturias the INFANTA. The Cardinal Patriarch married them, and the Prince of Asturias espoused her Royal Highness, in the name of the Archduke LEOPOLD. After the ceremony, we attended the King to a long gallery, from whence we saw the fire-works, then went to a ball and supper, in the palace of the Duke of Lozada. and 17th. Was the first entertainment of Count Rosemberg's at his own house, which was finely illuminated. About seven o'clock the Bevida began, more magnificently than can be imagined. The pages presented every body with a fine nosegay of Italian flowers; when the sweetmeats were brought in, there were a variety of devices, slippers, tooth-pick cases, and snuff-boxes, foll of sugar-plums. Every lady not only crammed her pockets, but-what is extremely vulgar-had her own pages attending with napkins to carry off the spoil!!! It is computed we were about nine hundred people. At nine, we were conducted into a most spacious fine theatre made for the occasion; where we heard a very pretty Italian opera, translated into Spanish, with the Italian music very well performed; and a most noble orchestra. This lasted until twelve o'clock, when we all went up to supper. The ladies were let in first, that they might seat themselves commodiously; and the gentlemen that could not sit down waited behind: although there were three tables, one of an hundred covers, one of sixty, and another of forty. This lasted until two o'clock; when we all adjourned into the theatre, which was converted into a ball-room superbly illuminated. At the ball there is a Bastinero appointed, who is a man of fashion, that regulates the ceremonial;-and four minuets are begun at once. The French Ambassador and Lady ROCHFORD, the Vene 1823.] Original Letter of the Earl of Rochfords tian Ambassadress and ME, with two grandees and grandesses of Spain, were the first Partie Quarrée. The minuets lasted until about four in the morning; when English country-dances were begun: and, then, people went away as they pleased. 18th. A second festival at Count Rosemberg's, the same as before; only instead of an Italian Burletta, we had an Italian Serenata-the words by Metastasio, and the music by a Spaniard, which was extremely pretty. 19th. The whole Court kissed the King's hand, and the foreign ministers all attended. From Court we went to a great dinner at the Duke de Bagnors, Immediately after dinner, I retired to my own house, where I had a great deal of company: and my twelve balconies in front were all covered with red damask; as mine is the principal street through which the King was to pass: and all the houses were adorned in the same way; for the King went through the town in procession to a Church, called "OUR LADY OF ATOCHA," to return thanks. I think I never saw a finer shew; whether I con{sider the number of fine equipages, or the very fine coaches of the King; six of them drawn by the most beautiful Spanish horses, and the whole preceded by two thousand of the Horse-guards, well dressed, and well mounted. 20th. A third Festival at Rosemberg's, in the same stile as the two first; only now we had a tragedy of a Racine's Hypermnestra-translated Linto Spanish, and tolerably well performed; followed by a farce in Spanish, droll enough. As this was the last of Count Rosemberg's entertainments, we had, after the play and before supper, a very fine firework before his house; and no accident happened which was extraordinary,for at the first firework the King gave, there were above thirty people killed in the mcrowd. ን፡ - די 21st. We expected this would have been a day of rest!-But, to our great surprize, the Duke of Medina Celi, who is great Master of the Horse, invited every body at Rosemberg's to come to him the next night. His house is, indeed, a palace; the largest private one, I believe, in Europe. But, although he lives next door to me, I never heard or knew what he had been preparing. It is his style to surprize people. I will first relate how the feast 389 was; and then tell you some anecdotes about it. Every body went at six o'clock. The ladies sat altogether, in six fine rooms magnificently furnished, and the gen tlemen in six others; while his pages (of whom he has a hundred) served the Bevida. The moment that was done, we were conducted through several other very handsome rooms, to one of the prettiest theatres I ever was in, richly illuminated, and where upwards of eight hundred of us were quite at our ease, and.... nobody knew that he had such a theatre! There was a sort of pastoral performed. The dresses rich beyond measure. The scenes very often changed, and the decorations magnificent; but, what was most extraordinary, there were four couple of Italian dancers, as good as ever I saw, and two of the girls were very pretty. For, at Madrid, there are no dances at the theatres; nor had we any dancing at any of the others. Now, to account for this phenomenon of his theatre, and the dancing girls. The first he built in twenty-two days from the ground in his garden; and this he did with about five hundred workmen, whom he locked into his house from the first day, and found them the whole time in bed and board till the work was completed. As for the dancers, he sent twenty_relays of mules, of six each, on the Barcelona road, (which is twelve days journey from hence,) to bring two couple of them; and the same number of relays on the road to Cadiz, to bring the other two couple of them. The very moment the play was over, we were all carried into another suite of apartments, where there were six tables :-some of an hundred covers, others of eighty and sixty,-all covered most magnificently. Every thing was hot, with variety of soups, and fish of all sorts. N. B. The nearest part of the sea to us is between three and four hundred miles. In short, every body was seated at ease. Supper over, we returned back to the theatre, which was now converted into a ball-room. I opened the ball, with the Duchess of Medina Celi. She is Madame Fuentes's daughter, about sixteen years old, and the prettiest woman here; something in the style of Lady Waldegrave, but not near so handsome. This entertainment was the more won derful, 3,90 Original Letter of the Earl of Rochford. [May splendid festivals. We all returned into our mourning and the Catholic King returned to the Prado... : derful, as every body knew, that (about three months ago) he had destroyed an old theatre he had; but if it could have been thought he had time to As I know you interest yourself in have done this, none suspected him of what concerns me in particular, I must the inclination. All the Ambassadors agreed, no prince of the blood in Eusive you an account of the appearance made. rope could give such another. Yet all was conducted as quietly, and with as little confusion, as at a private supper. It is computed, that the whole expence for this one night was twenty thousand pounds sterling. 22nd. The Prince de la Catolica, the Neapolitan Ambassador, gave his entertainment; which began at seven o'clock, like the others, with a Bevida, and then a play, which was an Italian Burletta translated into Spanish. The music pretty, as well as the decorations; and the company about seven hundred and fifty. After the play, a grand supper: the desert, I think, the choicest of any we have had. At the table where I sat, we were a hundred and forty, and there were four other tables: after a supper, a ball; which lasted until eight in the morning, 23rd. A great Gala day at court. All the attendants on the different tribunals kissed hands; but the Ambassadors could not assist at the ceremony; as the Grandees are covered on this occasion. So to-day was a day of rest! 24th. The Marquis d'Ossun, the French Ambassador, gave his entertainment; which, as to the Bevida, was the same as the others. The play was a French farce of two acts, translated into Spanish, with an interlude of music, very pretty, but entirely in the Spanish taste. The play ended about one o'clock; then a supper as usual one table of a hundred covers, another of eighty covers, magnificently served, and several small tables of ten, twenty, and thirty covers; and I think the whole entertainment was conducted much better than any of the others. After supper the minuets began, in a hall well illuminated for the occasion, and lasted until eight o'clock; when I danced the last dance with the Duchess of Lerma. The moment the ball was over, there was another supper (or, rather, a breakfast) for the few that remained :-a table of sixty covers well served, with four hot soups, and four hot courses; to which I sat down, and was very jolly, until about half an hour after nine; when I retired home. And thus ended our In the first place, I had four pages. dressed in blue velvet, with a rich sil ver point d'Espagne, red satin sleeves, and waistcoat richly laced; with a very fine silver shoulder-knot. I had be sides six valets de chambre, all dressed in a light coloured cloth coat and waistcoat, laced with silver. These I lent to wait at the different FEASTS. My footmen's liveries were very rich; and, when we went out, Lady RocHгORD went first in the state coach drawn by four mules, having two postilions. She was followed by another coach drawn by four mules, with two postilions, carrying her pages, and the master of the horse. I followed, in a handsome coach I had made here, drawn also by four mules, and with two postilions; all in the great livery. My lady's coach and mine had four footmen behind each, and the pages coach had two.-I have been a bed about four hours, and am got up to finish this; as I must have two or three copies of it to send to my friends. Yours, &c. ROCHFORD. Mr. URBAN, Westminster, May 8. N the West side of Westminster Hall, workmen are now engaged in destroying that part of the old palace of Westminster, which has of late years been occupied by the Courts of Exchequer, the Exchequer Coffeehouse, &c. It is presumed to be the intention of the Board of Works, to continue and perfect the stone-fronted building, of which the Committeerooms of the House of Commons, and King's Bench Record-office, form the middle and left wing, which have been erected now nearly sixty years. Of the five Courts of Law to be built on the West side of the Hall, and which will be arranged, I believe, in the following order from the North door, namely, the Exchequer, Common Pleas, King's Bench, Vice Chancellor's, and Lord Chancellor's; the two last are nearly completed. Respecting the buildings now nearly demolished, it is remarked in Smith's "Antiquities of Westminster," in illustration of a good view there given, that, "From |