VIII. General Mina.

1. GEN. MINA'S RECEPTION AT PLYMOUTH. Extract of a private letter, dated Plymouth, Nov. 30:

"This day the patriotic General Mina, with several other Spanish officers, landed at this port from the French brig Cuirasier, which vessel arrived here yesterday week, from Barcelona, and has been lying under quarantine till this day. Public curiosity has been for these several days past greatly roused to witness this brave defender of his country, as it has been expected that the quarantine would have been removed before. This morning it was generally reported that the pratique had arrived, and on inquiry at the Custom House the report was authenticated. This soon spread, and before one o'clock, the hour at which it was stated that the General would land, the number of persons collected on the Pier and Barbican was immense. Shortly after one o'clock, the Busy, revenue cutter, which had been sent out in the sound for the purpose of removing the quarantine from the Cuirasier, hove in sight round the Victualling-office Point, and came to anchor. Immediately after, General Mina and several Officers were observed to get into the cutter's boat, and within a few minutes after the boat reached the landing-place at the pier; instantly as the General placed his foot on the shore, he was surrounded and raised on the shoulders of several men, and amidst the most enthusiastic cheering carried to the carriage which was in waiting for him. It is impossible to convey by words the reception he met with; so eager was every one to get near him, that the greatest difficulty prevailed to make a line to the carriage, the horses were taken out, and it was dragged by the populace, amidst huzzas and cries of "Mina for ever!" "Brave Mina," &c. through the town to the Royal Hotel. The gallant General looked well, and was bowing and extending his hands to those near bim, who were wishing to shake hands with him. On his arrival at the Hotel, the number of persons collected

could not have been fewer than 8,000; and who, by cheering, &c. testified the high opinion they entertained of the General.

From the carriage, which was obliged to be drawn up at some distance from the Hotel on account of the crowd, Mina was taken again on the shoulders of those near him, and carried into the hotel. Cries of "Window, window," were shouted out, and within a few minutes the gallant General (with several others) appeared at a window of the hotel, uncovered and bowing repeatedly; this was followed by a general burst of applause from the persons assembled, and which continued for some time; as soon as it had in some measure subsided, a Gentleman who was at the window said, that General Mina had desired him to say that this was the happiest moment of his life; that his feelings were entirely overpowered by the reception he had met with from the English people; he had been fighting the battles of his country against its invaders-he had before done this with Lord Wellington; and, if an occasion should again call him, he should be always ready. The General then bowed and retired. The bells were rung on the occasion, and the greatest possible unanimity prevailed amongst all classes, to welcome to the shores of this country so brave and worthy a Patriot." The Observer, Dec. 7, 1823.

2. "GENERAL MINA AT PLYMOUTH.

PLYMOUTH, DEC. 6. On Monday the General invited the officers of the French brig Cuirassier to dine with him at the Royal Hotel; the invitation was accepted, and the officers, on coming on shore, first waited on their Consul, J. Hawker, Esq. and then retired to the Hotel, where they dined with the General, and afterwards accompanied him to the play. The French officers speak in the highest terms of him, and the General has purchased several valuable presents which he intends giving to the officers of the Cuirassier, as a mark of his esteem, and in return for their kindness and attention to him during the Voyage.

On Tuesday General Mina dined by invitation from Ge

neral Sir John Cameron, K.C.B. our commander-in-chief, at the Royal Hotel, where Sir John at present resides. The company present were, Sir John Cameron and his lady; General Mina and two of his suite; Colonel Cochrane, of the Royal Guards; Col. Lloyd, of the 61st; Col. Vinnicombe, of the Royal Marines; Colonels Morshead and Hawker, of the Royal Engineers; and Major Smith. The French Captain and officers of the Cuirassier were invited, but in consequence of the wind. blowing so hard, the boat could not with safety leave the ship; they attempted to put off, but were at last obliged to relinquish it.

On Wednesday the General received an invitation to dine on board his Majesty's ship Genoa, with Captain Sir Thomas Livingstone, Bart. but was obliged to decline it from the wound in his thigh, making it painful for him to go on shipboard; he dined on that day at Captain Hodges', of the ariny, at his residence, in Stonehouse, with a select party of army and navy officers. The attention which Captain Hodges has paid the gallant General since his arrival here, deserves the highest praise; this gentleman had the honour of knowing him in Paris several years since. On Thursday he went on board the Admiral's ship the Britannia, the Admiral's barge having been sent for him.

This day he has an invitation from Captain Wise, R. N. to dine with a select party at his residence, Hoe-House; on Monday with T. Bewes, Esq. the High Sheriff of the county. The General has been visited since his arrival by a great number of the resident gentry of our town and neighbourhood; by many officers of the army and navy, amongst whom are Sir William Elford, Bart., Recorder of the Borough; J. Hawker, Esq., the French and Dutch Consul; an Alderman and a magistrate for the county, and his family; Thomas Bewes, Esq., the High Sheriff for the county; J. Were Clarke, Esq., a Magistrate and Banker; W. Tingcombe Esq., banker; C. Bird, Esq., Barrister; G. Bellamy, Esq., M.D., &c. On Wednesday last was the hero's birth-day; he is 40 years of age. J. Collier, Esq.

one of the principal merchants of our port, is his agent; his son, Mr. J. Collier, jun. waited on the General at his landing, and accompanied him in the carriage to the hotel.

On Monday evening General Mina went to the theatre. The house was crowded in almost every part. The performances were for the benefit of Mr. Harvey, the stage-manager, and were, by desire and under the patronage of the worthy Commander-in-Chief, Sir J. Cameron, K.C.B., who arrived at an early hour, and was greeted with most enthusiastic bursts of applause from all parts of the house. On General Mina's arrival, which was a considerable time after, the audience waved their hats and gave three cheers. As soon as the noise ceased, a person called out, "Englishmen, in showing your respect for foreigners, do not forget your King-let us have God save the King." The orchestra immediately commenced the national air, and performed it in grand style. Three hearty rounds of applause followed. Before the audience had time to seat themselves, some person in the boxes called for See the Conquering Hero comes! which the orchestra instantly played. Clapping of hands instantly followed, and the performance, which had been suspended all the time, was then resumed, and proceeded without further interruption to the conclusion, when Rule Britannia was called for and played, the audience standing uncovered, and joining in it, the same as in God save the King. Mina seemed to take considerable interest in the performances throughout, which were Virginius and the Highland Reel; both were admirably performed. He was dressed in a plain suit of coloured clothes. He is rather a stout, dark-complexioned, elderly-looking man.

During the evening in the Theatre, a sailor, who sat in the pit, with that characteristic freedom, which British sailors are remarked for, held up his hat, which contained a quantity of nuts, to General Mina, with a wish that he would take some. The general put his hand into the hat, and took out a handful, at the same time remarking to a gentleman, who accompanied him-'I will keep these nuts as long as I live;

for I am certain, had they been guineas, he would have given them me.' Devonshire-Freeholder." The Times, Dec. 9, 1823.

3. "General Mina. [From the West-Briton.] "Plymouth-Dock, Dec. 10. Mina continues to receive the most marked attentions here from all ranks of society. On Sundaymorning last he attended divine service at the Roman Catholic Chapel, Stonehouse. The place was crowded, and after service he walked to Dock. He was attended by crowds, who continually augmented, and, as in reverential observance of the day no cheering took place, respect for the gallant Chief was shown by taking off the hat, bowing, etc., and all the officers of the Navy and Army, who met, shook hands most heartily with him. At the head of Stonehouse-hill the guard turned out, as he passed; Mina and his companions passing it uncovered. He proceeded through the streets of Dock, and, as it was the conclusion of divine service, the soldiers were marching home. He particularly noticed the Lancers, and the 3d Regiment of Guards. In the principal street of the Town the crowd augmented, and all ranks saluted him in the most cordial manner. It was impossible to observe the sympathy and enthusiasm of the people of all ranks without emotion. All party-spirit had vanished; there was a complete union of sentiment; all differences had merged into one general and warm manifestation in favour of the hero, who had fought for freedom, and the spectacle was as new, as it was impressive. The invitations to Mina to partake of dinner etc. are many and pressing; and some from the highest quarters. Once in the week he dines on board the flag-ship, the Britannia; and on Thursday at the mess of the Marine barracks. Money has been offered to him; but he has declined receiving pecuniary assistance. One anecdote may suffice to show the spirit, that existed at Plymouth, when he lauded. Just after his retiring to his room at the Royal Hotel, the president of a party of gentlemen who were dining, gave the health of General Mina, when the whole