The Press. — London, England, 1858-01-02 00:00:00

very short tune, by the general adoption of the principle a temporary superiority is destroyed. But there is a medium in things ; and if the value of our accumulation of warlike stores be so great as to render it more economical not to change for any slight though certain advantage, yet we should cer tainly make quite sure that no nation takes any great stride before us. This is a step the commonest prudence would dictate, but it is one we have never adopted, and at this moment are engaged, both at Enfield and Woolwich, in directly reversing. If by common consent, or from iden tity of motive, all great Powers were to keep to the means of warfare now in use, we could not do better than get well into the routine of manufacturing all we r equire in the cheapest and best way, which would doubtless be by means of solid and most expensive machinery. But who will venture to say that no givat change will be made in arms? The States of Europe seem awakening to a knowledge that military science has lagged behind the rest ; and under these circumstances we should certainly guard against the adoption of any system which, by an enormous expenditure upon permanent machinery, should add to that disinclination to improvement already sufficiently developed in our authorities. On this subject we should do well to consider the opinions Captain DuALoREN has expressed in his report on gunnery to the United States' Government. He visited Woolwich, and saw the beginning of the new gun factory now being built to enable Government to cast for itself all the guns required. His remarks are as follows : In countries like the United States and England, where inlividual enterprise has such immense development, it is hardly to be advised that the Government should volun tarily separate itself therefrom. It may by so doing be better able to guard ageinst the injurious influences of the contract system ; but the certain consequence of routine in men and measures will more surely, though less openly, produce greater evils. Let the private op , rstions be super• vised with as much care as those of the Government, and there will be no reason to be dissatisfied with the results. A small experimental department would be highly benefi cial, where obscure and difficult investig iti )ns should be scientifically conducted ; but to go further would be to incur the danger of routine—that bane of improvement — which of itself would be ruinous to the best conducted pri vate enterprises in the world. Such an experimental department as Cap tain DAHLGREN recommends would be indeed beneficial, and might, in fact, guide us in the safe middle course between the too rash adoption of novelties, and their total neglect, at the risk of finding ourselves some day attacked by an enemy whose arms shall bear the same relation to ours as Enfield rifles to Chinese bows and arrows. A scientific board could thoroughly investigate every change proposed, and the War Minister could then determine whether the alvanta,ges to be gained justified the loss consequent on the waste of our accumulated stores ; or, if he de • tertnined on not being the first to move, could watch for the slightest sign of any rival Power adopting a much improved weapon. It will be asked, have we not already such a board ? We answer, unhesitatingly, No! Neither in the Army nor in the Naval Departments does such a board exist. The Lords of the Admi ralty ordered a particular kind of screw-pro peller for the purpose of being tested in Her Majesty's ship Dwarf. It was manufac tured by Mr. WHITWORTH, of Manchester, under the superintendence of the patentee, Mr. BENNETT Wooncaorr, and sent to Wool wich on the 26th of September, 1846, whero it remained for years. It is now to be seen in the South Kensington Museum, never having been tried, although the blades of the screw were made so that the pitch could be altered. anti thus all those results arrived at which were afterwards only approached by the use of several screws in the Minx. This instance is only a type of what constantly occurs under both boards. The above, then, is not such a board b.e we desire, nor is the Select Artillery Committee exactly the thing. Both may do for final deci sions, but their members have other par ticular duties to attend to ; indeed the Ar tillery Committee consists almost entirely of heads of the departments in the Arsenal. How can they spare time to investigate the thousands ofproposals brought before them? They sit once THE PRESS, JANUARY 2, lB5B. a week for four hours ; and a correspondent I of the Mechanic's Magazine tells us, and on good authority, that six thousand proposals were considered by them and rejected in one year-1855. How could they be otherwise than rejected when we consider the fraction of time which must have been devoted to the consideration of each ? Many of these pos sibly were mere repetitions of preceding, and already not investigated but rejected schemes; but still it is obvious that such a process of investigation must be utterly inadequate to a fair and full consideration of the principles proposed. What is required is a board (or more than one, if necessary) composed of men of the highest scientific attainments, combined with the greatest practical experience, who should devote their entire time to the object in view. Meanwhile, as we know by experience that we must urge for many years the necessity of such a board before obtaining it, and most probably be first severely punished f w its want, we trust that when the Army and Navy Estimates are next discussed before Parliament that no fresh amount of public money will be devoted to the establishment of permanent machinery for the construction of arms—a pro ceeding wasteful in itself and obstructive of all real progress. If the gun factory at Wool wich and the small•arms factory at Enfield be so far advanced that " they may as well " be finished, then we trust that those dis coveries which would fender these establish ments useless be carefully examined, lest the Government should shrink front acknowled;• ing that such great expense had been incurred under the idea that in this age of mechanical progress we had reached perfection in two branches of military science, and that even before the completion of the two factories the advance of that science had outstripped their ideal, and threatened once more to leave obsti nate, over-confident England lagging behind the other nations of the world. Sortign 6orresponbtatt. PARIS, December 30, 1837. ANOTHER political difficulty has arisen, and this time Austria runs the risk of being placed in an isolated position. The subject is the free navigation of the Danube. During the Paris Peace Congress, discussion on this important question occupied the serious attention of the different plenipotentiaries. The pretensions of Count Buol were, that the labour of the commissioners should be confined to the regulating of the Lower Danube ; the navigation of what is called the Higher Danube to remain as it then was. This proposition was combated by Count Walewski and Lord Cowley, and ultimately decided against Austria. Two commissions were then nraned—the one composed of delegates from Eng land, France, Austria, Russia, Prussia and Sardinia . These delegates were exclusively to occupy them selves with the subject of the erection of the necessary works, so as to insure the safe entry into the Dauu'ee, to dredge away the bars at its mouths, and to light the coast, &c., so as to insure also a safe navigation outside. The second commission was to be composed of delegates from Austria, Bavaria, Turkey, and War. temberg, and a delegate—to be approved of by the Porte—from each of the Danubian principalities. The principal instructions given to this commission were, to regulate the free navigation of the Danube, to do away with all obstacles which may have sprung up, and to carry out the intentions of the Treaty of Vienna. The sittings of the commission were held at Vienna, and were presided over by the Austrian dele gate, M. de Blumfield. The influence of this gen tleman was consequently very great, and, as it was anticipated, all the articles were drawn up in a spirit favourable to Austria, but not without great opposi tion on the part of the Danubian delegates, who ultimately refused to sign the report. The report, signed by Austria, Bavaria, Turkey, and Wurtem berg, was sent for ratification to the different Courts. The Porte immediately sent to its ambassadors at Vienna to ratify the report; but, if I am rightly informed, within the last few days it has sent counter instructions, desiring further information. The fact is that Redschid Parha is doing all he can to conciliate M. de Thouvacl, who is strongly opposed to the report, and is prepared now in this instance to sacri fice Austria to France. As regards England, it is 5- given out that Lord Clarendon is as strongly opposed to the report as Count Walewslki. Several diplomatic notes have passed between the Cabinets of Austria, France, and England. In one of his despatches Count Buol is said to pretend that the Paris Congress has no right to interfere in the report of the commission, but to accept it simply as a fait accompli. On the other hand, it is said that Log. land and France are determined to brine the whole question before the Paris Congress. You thus see that I was right in saying Austria is likely to be placed in an isolated position. The object of Austria is to prevent French and English steam companies from navigating the Danube. This question is likely to become very interesting. Be as,ured I will keep you well informed with every movement made by either party. It is reported as positive that the Paris Congress will not meet before February, but I have good reason for believing that nothing has as yet been settled. Rumours that the Emperor was seriously indis posed have been rife this week. His Majesty has already recovered from a slight attack of influenza, and left to-day for Fontainebleau on a shooting excur sion. During the past week the Emperor every even ing, accompanied only by one of his principal officers, has promenaded the Boulevards, and inspected the stalls of the different vendors of the holiday presents (Jour de ran). On all these occasions the reception of his Majesty is most enthusiastic. The Paris public admire him for the confidence be places in them, in thus coming amongst them unprotected. It is strange to reflect that Louis Philippe, head of a constitutional monarchy, the issue of barricades, would not have found it safe to act as the Emperor now does. The Empress, who is in the enjoyment of excellent health, appears frequently in public, and exerts herself to ameliorate the condition of the poor. I know not whether the Empress regulates the fashion of the day, but at all events, from present appearances, the ladies' crinolines are likely this winter to rival the famous hoops of the last century. Silks, satins, and velvets are now the great rage, and these are of so costly a nature that 65f. a yard for mere promenade silk is a common item, I apprehend, in the Christmas milliner's bill. We have had a real musical treat, nothing less than an opera from the pen of Rossini. This un rivalled maestro, who for many years has refused to write f.f the great theatres, was so struck with the remarkable talent of M. Offenbach, the director of the "Bonffes Parisiens," that he absolutely made him a present of an operatic bluette, called Bruschino. It is acknowledged by all the dilettanti to be a chef d'oeuvre in gaiety, nerve, originality and freshness. As you may naturally suppose, the door of the " Bouffes " are literally besieged each night. The English puh.ic have had an opportunity of admiring the varied talents of M. Offenbach during the repre sentations given by the " Boutfes Parisiens" at the St. James's Theatre. I have no doubt that before many months shall have passed away you will be able to applaud the Bruschino of Rossini. A great number of workmen are now being em• ployed in digging wells in the Camp of Chalons, sufficient to provide water for .50,000 men, which it is reported will compose the camp of 155.4. It is expected that General Lamoriciere and his family will reach Amiens this evening. The general intends passing some time at his country house in the neighbourhood of that town. Your celebrated preacher, Mr. Spurgeon, is ex pected to reach Paris in time to preach on Sunday next, or, at all events, the Sunday following, in the English chapel in the Rue Marbizeuf. Although preparations are making for the depar ture of the Prince of Prussia to be present at the marriage of his son, nothing has as yet been decided on ; it will depend on the health of the King. The Regency question is still in abeyance ; but should, in the meantime, the power invested in the Prince be prolonged, it. will be on a wider basis. The Spanish Government has positively refused to follow she counsels of England and France in its dispute with Mexico. It has determined that its original pretensions shall be accepted without the slightest modification. The weather is now so warm at Nice that the visitor! take their daily bath in the sea, and prome nade on the shores in almost summer clothing. Queen Christine of Spain reached Rome on the 20th of December, and took up her temporary resi dence at the hotel of the Spanish Ambassador. I have received some interesting particulars of the horrible effect of the earthquake in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Potenza no longer exists; that part of the country which lies between Potenza and the Valle di Diana has completely disappeared, and the greater portion of its 4,0110 inhabitants have perished. Lorenzona, Auletta, Padula, Polls, and Alletta, are nearly completely destroyed. The num ber of victims already dug from the ruins at Salerno exceed 2,000, and dead bodies are being y found.