The Press. — London, England, 1858-12-18 00:00:00

THE PRESS, DECEMBER 18, 1858. 1230 tion and large trees were cleared away, stagnant waters drained, and ruins removed, while large airy barracks were erected for the garrison, there would be no greater amount of sickness than anywhere else. It must be remembered that these torts ate not to be armed like European fortresses, but are merely in. tended to protect the arsenals, and perhaps cover the camp when the European troops take the field, which they should be always ready to do on the shortest notice. A native army, in my opinion, must also be main tained—partly to do duty in parts of the country which would be very injurious to European consti tutions, to act as local pol►ce, escorts, &c., and also to keep in employment many restless characters who would otherwise be in rebellion ; but these troops should merely be auxiliaries to the European army, be armed in an inferior manner, and so recruited from various tribes and nationalities as to dec:ease the chance of a combination like that in the late Bengal army. The regular native cavalry should, I think, be replaced by irregular corps, partly on the model of the Sinde Horse ; the regiments raised in the south could occupy the Puojaub, whilst the Sikhs and Punjabies would be sent to Lower Bengal, the Deccan, Mysore, &c. The artillery I have already supposed will be exclusively worked by Euro. peans, but to each battery and arsenal should be attached a certain number of half-castes or Anglo- Indians, Africans, &c. The next point to be consi dered is the military organization of the British non military residents at the Presidencies and principal stations. I must again repeat that, however dis tasteful and inconvenient it may be, all European and half-caste residents, with the exception of the clergy, should be imperatively obliged to be members of an armed militia—the arms to be kept in a con venient and secure ralling.point, which could also afford temporary protection to the women and chil dren ; this militia to be called out regularly, and no excuse for non-attendance to be admitted, but to be heavily fined. It is a duty which every person owes to his family or countrymen, and should be looked on as sacred. Although it is necessary that several considerable European camps should exist in various parts of India, sanitariums for the soldiers and their families, and, if possible, military colonies, must also be formed on a large scale on the most elevated moue- ' tainous parts of India. In the south of the penin sula, the Neilglierries or Blue Mountains hold out a prospect of success for the site of a colony. Far ther north, not far from the large camp of Poona, the Mahbalishwa hills offer a favourable spot for a sanitarium. In the north, the Himalaya mountains have a climate superior to Europe, and might support a race of hardy mountaineers trained to military service. One of the first points to be attended to must he the means of access to these colonies. Good and secure roads should be constructed, and, if proper care and attention is bestowed on these colo nies, there is no reason why they may not in time succeed. The supply of many European articles would demand the attention of the authorities at home. But it would, perhaps, be found best to com mence on a small scale. Two or three villages of 100 families each, fixed within five or six miles ot each other—to consist, in the first place, ot moun taineers accustomed to attend to sheep and cattle, and to cut wood, with a small proportion of me• chanics, such as blacksmiths, carpenters, and brick layers ; each village to be recruited as much as pos sible from one country, say, Welsh English from the Lake district, Scotch Highlanders, and Protestant Swiss ; the land should always be held on the condi tion of military service ; each grown up colonist to be married, and to receive certain stores for the maintenance of his family; a military governor, clergyman, schoolmaster, and doctor, all married, should be appointed by Government ; hut, previous to emigrating, these new communities should undergo a certain training at depots established in Great Britain, if possible among their native hills. Great care must be taken in the selection of the first colo nists; a certain number of backwoodsmen from Canada would be of the greatest use. The timber cut in the Himalayas and (huts could be floated down to tha sea for ship-building; sawmills would, therefore, be required from home. We will now return to the requirements of the army. These may be classed under two heads— first, the stores required for immediate use by regi ments, corps, and divisions; second, those to remain in the arsenals or in depot as a reserve. With re gard to the first. class, the greater portion will have to pass through the principal arsenals, though por tions may be sent direct to other departments of the army, and even to head-quarters of regiments. For the— I. ARTILLERY.—FieId horse artillery ; horse field batteries ; camel and elephant batteries ; mountain trains; battering trains (often kept in arsenals) ; garrisons and forts ; powder works and manufac tory of percussion caps ; gun•carriage departments ; foundries for brass guns (iron guns and mortars not made in India). 11. Aassm,s.—Arms for Infantry—Rifle Regi ments ; Line Regiments. Arms for Cavalry.—Light Dragoons ; Lancers ; Irregulars. Engineers Sappers and Miners; Pontoon trains and military bridges; intrenching tools for mining ; surveying instruments. Ammunition for Small A rms—Packed percussion caps ; musket and pistol flints ; gunpowder in barrels. Reserve of iron guns, howitzers, mortars and bedß, garrison carriages, brass guns, and howitzers ; iron shot, shell, grape, spherical case. Gun-carriages; platforms; spring snd ammunition carts ; iron ; lead ; paper fur cartridges ; woollen serge for gun•cartridges ; rope ; twine ; canvas ; battens ; flags ; fuzes ; rockets ; copper ; instru• ments and books. For the supply of camp equipage, tents, fuel (coal), tar, harness, and saddlery; tools of all kinds for repairs. 111. QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S DLPARTMENT.— Survey instruments ; drawing materials ; maps and books. IV. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.— General, military, regimental, and civil hospitals ; medicines ; instru ments ; books ; clothing ; medical comforts. V. ARMY CLOTHING.-Supply of cloth, shoes, caps, helmets, and articles for uniforms; knapsacks; bedding ; blankets. VI. COMMISSARIAT.—SappIy of provision, weighing machines, kc.; wine, beer, and spirits; cooperage; transport of hospitals, military stores, camp equipage, and tents ; supply of veterinary instruments and medicines. VII. ADJUTANT GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.--SUpply of military libraries ;regimental schools; transmission of orders by telegraph ; military chaplains, books, &c. VIII. JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.— Military prisons ; books and stationery. IX. NAVAL DEPARTMENT.—WiII be placed under a naval officer who will assist the inspector of military stores and attend to requisitions sent home by the dockyards; master attendants; superintendent of the Indian navy and pilot services; also for the service of lighthouses. In the foregoing only an outline of the principal sources of demand for stores has been attempted, as it would be useless to give a long list of articles. But though, a. 4 I have said, we must be content to hold India by the sword, still it is our duty to try all we can to improve the state of the country and render the inhabitants content and prosperous. Railroads will, there is no doubt, do much good, but the inland navigation of rivers, roads, bridges, dr.c., must also be attended to ; and as the require ments of the civil branches of the service are also supplied through the Inspector-General of Military Stores, the probable sources of demand must be casually alluded to. They are, for the three mints, with machinery, essay instruments, lac.; repair and construction of bridges, terries, blinders or landing piers ; transport of the mail and Yost office, with electric telegraphs and instruments ; maintenance and construction of publio buildings, hydraulic works, and for irrigation ; engines, Scc., protection against fire ; civil hospitals and public health ; astronomical department ; inland river navigation and supply of fuel ; supply of stationery to various departments ; prisons and lunatic asylums, schools and colleges ; supply of specimens of improved agricultural implements, machinery, and horticultural plants and products. The advantage of attending to the last named source of demand has, I believe, been scarcely acknowledged. A few specimens may have been sent out, but to make them of general use museums should be established in some of the principal cities, which should be open free of all charge to every body. In these museums not only should specimens he exhibited, with a full account of the manner of working and expense, 'out also working models with figures of native workmen in every stage of the required process ; for it must be remembered that the natives of India are to a great degree like children, and require a clear and tangible explana tion of everything. Some of the most useful im provements which might be introduced in this way are :—Culture and manufacture of sugar, cotton, indigo, and silk, coffee, and in places even tea; mills for grinding, sawing, and extracting oil ; brick and tile making ; premiums should be given to she best and cheapest imitator. But in all intercourse between the British Govern ment or their officers, civil or military, and the natives, while complete toleration in religious matters should be allowed, still the distinctions of caste must never again be recognized. Every employ. ment to which natives are eligible should be open to all castes and religions; none should have exclusive privileges or respect shown to them. The llher or Parrish families should not, as now, be obliged to live outside the village walls, nor should tanks or wells (unless private property) be appro priated by particular castes to the exclusion of others. The sale of butcher's meat should also be legal, but in this case animals should only be killed in proper slaughterhouses, so se not to hurt the religious pre judices of any one. from __________,_._ The tenure of estates and land in India is open to great improvement. I think that all land and houses should gradually be made freehold and allowed to he sold or transmitted by wi ll ; the present title deeds might be called in, and new ones granted, dating the present period. When India has passed und er the Royal Government, this, with titles of nobility (not conferring political power), would greatly attach the natives to our rule and prevent treason. In these reflections it may be considered that I have been led away from the subject fi rst started— viz., the supply of military and other stores for India, but in estimating the probable demands on any de. partment it is first necessary to examine the sources of demand, and also the state, present and future, of the country to be supplied. H.C. jortigit 6,orrEspontatt. PARIS, Thuriday. POLITICAL matters are not important this week. The fears of a war between France and Austria have subsided, and it is even said is diplomatic circles that the ill will which has for some time past pre vailed between the two powers is likely to give way to friendly feeling. This is probable, if it be true, as the German journals tell us, that, by the inter vention of the King of Saxony, a rapprochement is in course of being accomplished between Austria and Russia. I say it is probable, because nothing would be more impolitic on the part of the Emperor of the French than to continue bickering with Aus tria, when Russia is her friend, and England is her fnend, and Prussia, in imitation of those two powers, is certain to become co. The fears of a collision between Austria and Sardinia have also ceased, the latter power, in reply to the European Cabinets, having given the assurance that it has no intention of bringing one on, and the former thinking, of course, that "there is nothing like peace." As to the "free immigration " question, about which some of your contemporaries have lately made erroneous statements, I learn that the Emperor of the French has given a positive assurance to the English Government that, even if the special commission now sitting in Paris to inquire into the matter should pronounce in favour of a continuance of immigration, he will declare against it; and his Majesty's voice you know is potential. The alleged detention of a French " immigrant " ship on the coast of Africa by English cruisers, and her forced disembarkation of a cargo of" free immigrants," is not confirmed ; at all events it is quite certain that if any such event has taken place the French Government will not make any fuss about it. Strange to say, this removal of political disquietude abroad has not made things look more cheerful at home. The Bourse, which in this country is con- sidered a thermometer of the public sentiment, con tinues in a state of profound depression ; trade is not prosperous, as is proved by a decline in the exports and imports, and in the discount of bills by the Bank of France ; and agriculture complains that the prices it receives for its produce are scarcely remunerative. Ytt a great abundance of unemployed money notoriously exists, and the Minister of Finance has just published a report to the Emperor which, if its statements be true, shows that the public finances are magnificently prosperous. The Montalembert affair has ceased to excite any interest whatsoever, and when it comes next week . before the Imperial Court on appeal it will, I fancy, it no unexpected incident should arise, be considered a bore. The state of Paris and the provinces is one of pro• found tranquillity—almost of lethargy ; and the lucubrations of the journals are milder, more insig nificant, and more stupid than ever. Yet a species of vague distrast exists amongst high and low ; and though no one can exactly account for it, no one can shake it off. The Grand Duke Constantine of Russia having taken the command of a Russian squadron in the Mediterranean, and having occasion to touch at Toulon and Marseilles with his ships, will come op to Paris to pay a flying visit to the Emperor and Eru press. The presence of his Imperial Highness twice in this capital within the space of two years testifies that the relations between France and Russia have increased in cordiality : but the time has gone by when intimacy between those two powers was regarded as a portent of rupture between them and others. It is even said by some persons that the Russian Prince would not have paid a second visit to their Imperial Majesties it he had not bad occasion to pass through Paris on his way to St. Petersburg, where the Dowager Emprese, Ins mother, has been taken seriously, and and some accounts even say dangerously, ill. As to the Emperor 0f Russia, his visit to Paris in the spring, which was 1230 THE PRESS, DECEMBER 18, 1858. eeds ..................... madehl l nn 1111- etieca the alldi pn andrlelasnnednadi is - - - - The tenure of estates and large trees were cleared away, stagnant 11. Armaxam—Arena for Infantry—Rifle Regi pr ar od vueami i ye nbt :. ; -.3 drained, and ruins removed, while large airy ments ; Line Regiments. Arms for Cavalry.—Light sghreoautldiing Its were erected for the garrison, there would Dragoons ; Lancers ; Irregulars. Engineers sold or transmitted by will ; might be called in, and new ones granted, eater amount of sickness than anywhere else. Sappers and DI biers ; Pontoon trains and military e remembered that these forts ate not to be bridges ; intrenohing tools for mining ; surveying gfrom European fortresses, but are merely in. instruments. Ammunition for Small Arms—Pecked the present period. When India has passed under the stect the arsenals, and' perhaps cover the percussion caps ; musket and pistol flints ; gunpowder Ito Yet Government, this, with tides a nobility (not 'he European troops take the field, in barrels. Reserve of iron guns, howitzers, mortars conferring political power), would greatly "1: lattice the euld be always ready to do on the and beds, garrison carriages, brass guns, and natives to our rule and prevent treason. howitzers ; iron shot, shell, grape, spherical case. In these reflections it may be considered that I nmy opinion, must also be main- Gun-carriages ; platforms ; spring and ammunition have been led away from the subject first started— io duty in parts of the country carts ; iron ; lead ; paper for cartridges ; woollen viz., the supply of military and other stores for India, v injurious to European consti- serge for gun-cartridges ; rope ; twine ; canvas ; but in estimating the probable demands on any de. II police, escorts, Sze., and also battens ; flags ; fuzes ; rockets ' copper ; instru- partment it is first necessary to examine the sources many restless characters who ments and books. For the supply of camp equipage, of demand, and also the state, present and future, of ibellion ; but these troops tents, fuel (coal), tar, harness, and saddlery ; tools the country to be supplied. H.C. -s to the European army, of all kinds for repairs. Attunes, and so recruited 111. QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S DLPARTMENT.— onslities as to decrease Survey instruments ; drawing materials ; maps and pi:tip 6,OrrEspontatt. ltadlaotaniwttdi.leneodinltunis like that in the late books. `ve cavalry should, I IV. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.— General, military, sups, partly on the regimental, and civil hospitals ; medicines ; instru- PARIS, Thursday. iments raised in ments : books ; clothing..; medical comforts. POLITICAL matters are not important this week. The sub, whilst the V. ARMY CLOTHING.—SuppIy of cloth, shoes, caps, fears of a war between France and Austria have Lower Bengal, helmets, and articles for uniforms; knapsacks; eery I have bedding ; blankets. subsided, and it is even said is diplomatic circles Id by Euro. VI. COMMISSARIAT.—SuppIy of provision, weighing that the ill-will which has for some time past pre should be machines, kc.; wine, beer, and spirits; cooperage; vailed between the two powers is likely to give way to I' Anglo- transport of hospitals, military stores, camp equipage, friendly feeling. This is probable, if it be true, e consi- and tents ; supply of veterinary instruments and ‘1 non- medicines. as the German journals tell us, that, by the inter sipal VII. ADJUTANT• GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.—SuppIy vention of the King of Saxony, a rapprochement is Its- of military libraries ;regimental schools; transmission in course of being accomplished between Austria \n of orders by telegraph ; military chaplains, books, &c. and Russia. I say it is probable, because nothing VIII. JUDGE ADVOCATE-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.— would be more impolitic on the part of the Emperor Military prisons ; books and stationery. IX. NAVAL DEPARTMENT.—WiII be placed under a of the French than to continue bickering with sus Ave' officer who will assist the inspector of military via, when Russia is her friend, and England is her res and attend to requisitions sent home by the fnend, and Prussia, in imitation of those two powers, yards; master attendants; superintendent of odian navy and pilot services; also for the is certain to become no. The fears of a collision of lighthouses. between Austria and Sardinia have also ceased, the foregoing only an outline of the principal latter power, in reply to the European Cabinets, demand for stores has been attempted, as having given the assurance that it has no intention useless to give a long list of articles. of bringing one on, and the former thinking, of at I have said, we must be content to course, that "there is nothing like peace." As to 'he sword, still it is our duty to try all the " free immigration " question, about which some eve the state of the country and of your contemporaries have lately made erroneous )itants content and prosperous. statements, I learn that the Emperor of the French ee is no doubt, do much good, has given a positive assurance to the Engli.h salon of rivers, roads, bridges, Government that, even if the special commission now tided to ; and as the require sitting in Paris to inquire into the matter should lies of the service are also \ pronounce in favour of a continuance of immigration, pastor-General of Military he will declare against it; and his Majesty's voice Des of demand must be you know is potential. The alleged detention of a are, for the three mints, French " immigrant " ship on the coast of Africa by nents, &e.; repair anci English cruisers, and her forced disembarkation of a handers or landing cargo of "free immigrants," is not confirmed ;at all And goat office, with events it is quite certain that if any such event has mss ; maintenance taken place the French Government will not make . 'dings, hydraulic any fuss about it Szc., protection Strange to say, this removal of political disquietude üblic health ; abroad Has not made things look more cheerful at r navigation home. The Bourse, which in this country is con to various sidered a thermometer of the public sentiment, eon s, schools tinues in a state of profound depression ; trade is not mproved prosperous, as is proved by a decline in the exports ; sultural and imports, and in the discount of bills by the Bank of France ; and agriculture complains that the prices it receives for its produce are scarcely med remunerative. Yet a great abundance of unemployed '=ly money notoriously exists, and the Minister of Finance n has just published a report to the Emperor which. if lits statements be true, shows that the public finances are magnificently prosperous. The Montalembert affair has ceased to excite any terest whatsoever, and when it comes next week 'ore the Imperial Court on appeal it will, I fancy, if sexpected incident should arise, be considered a state of Paris and the provinces is one of pro. -anquillity—almost of lethargy ; and the os of the journals are milder, more insig i more stupid than ever. Yet a species -ast exists amongst high and low ; and can exactly account for it, no one can ice Constantine of Russia having d of a Russian squadron in the having occasion to touch at 's with his ships, will come op visit to the Emperor and Em it' his Imperial Highness In the space of two years I between France and 'pture between them \rdwieaelintyth: osbeuttwtho peowuen: some persons that we paid a second be bad not bad his way to St. •s, his mother, ne accounts 'mperor of Ilia Was