The Sun. — London, England, 1860-06-14 00:00:00

NATIONAL DEFENCES. It will be remembered that a royal commission was issued last August to inquire into " the present state, condition, and sufficiency of the fortifications existing for the defence of the United Kingdom, and to examine into all works at present in pro gress for the improvement thereof, and to consider the most effectual means for rendering the same complete, especially all such works of defence as are intended for the protection of the royal arsenals and dockyards, in case of any hostile attack being made by foreign enemies, both by sea and land." The report of the commissioners, dated February 7, 1860, was published yesterday. In the outset of the report the commissioners state their opinion that a fleet alone is insufficient for the defence of the United Kingdom. The in troduction of steam and other causes have operated to our disadvantage. (The importance of an effi cient channel fleet, however, is fully recognised.) The consequent necessity for protecting dockyards is therefore laid down. The difficulty of prevent ing the landing of an enemy is admitted, and the commissioners proceed to consider the means of de fence against an enemy when landed. Our regular army is and must always be small, and the volun• teers could not at first be able to meet the regularly disciplined soldiers of continental armies on any thing like equal terms. " Having carefully weighed the foregoing consi derations (say the commissioners), we are led to the opinion that neither our fleet, our standing army, nor our volunteer forces, nor even the three com bined, can be relied on as sufficient in theriaselves for the security of the kingdom against foreign in vasion. We therefore proceed to consider that part of our instructions which directs our attention espe cially to fortifications. The objects proposedto be obtained by fortifying any place are, to enable a small body of troops to resist a superior force which may attack it, or to euable partially-trained bodies of men to contend successfully with those more perfectly disciplined than themselves. There seems no reason to doubt that such troops as may be got together from the disembodied or less perfectly {rained portion of the militia, with local or other volunteers, would, with an admixture of regular soldiers, be able to defend our dockyards against very superior numbers, when fortified with due re gard to these principles." The commissioners indicate that either an in crease of the army or fortifications is absolutely necessary, and they compare the cost of the two : " A large permanent increase to the regular army, 'taking into account pay, clothing, provisions, bar racks, pensions, and all other expenses, would in volve an annual charge to the country which may be calculated at from £60,000 to £70,000 per one thousand men. This sum would be irrespective of the expenses of raising the men, which we take at £ll a man, and of the necessary increase to barrack accommodation, which on the present scale would amount to at least £lOO a man ; making a first charge of £lll,OOO per one thousand men, and an annual charge of £60,000 to £70,000. " We do not express an opinion as to the perma nent increase to the army which would be neces sary under the circumstances supposed. It would, however, cost upon this calculation about eight millions at the outset, and nearly four millions an nually afterwards, to double the number of regular troops now at home—viz., about 66,000 men, ex traordinary increase if the aid of fortifications were to be rejected. "The same eight millions expended in fortifica tions would be far more effectual for the defence of the dockyards than any such increase of the regular army, would incidentally provide barrack accom modation for some thousands of men, and would entail no future annual charge, beyond a small sum for maintenance, and the expense of embodying the substitutes for regular troops, whether volunteers, fencibles, or militia, for three weeks' training; which could not much exceed one-twentieth of the cost of an equal regular force." It is laid down that we cannot fortify the whole assailable portion of the coast—and that fortifica tions should be restricted to vital points. The royal dockyards are said to be vital points. " Woolwich, which is at present our only great depot for munitions of war, whether for land or sea service, and the place in which these stores are pro duced, must also be considered a vital point. It is difficult to over-estimate the consequences of the loss or even of a temporary suspension of the operations of that great arsenal, as at present constituted, dur ing a state of war. It would be felt throughout the empire. Lastly, we consider the harbour of Portland, from its situation and capabilities; that of Dover, from the position which it occupies; and that of Cork, the naval station of Ireland, to be points re quiring more or less special consideration with respect to fortifications for their protection." As to the defence of London, the commissioners say— " The defence of London has not been brought under our consideration, and it is therefore only necessary to point out that it does not materially affect the conclusions we have arrived at with regard to the fortification of the dockyards. If Loudon were placed in such a state of defence as to render an attack on it improbable by an enemy established on shore, even in such force as to be abl e t o h o ld i n check any army that could be brought against him, an invader's attention would then be turned to the dockyards and arsenals, as by the destruction of these he might hope to annihilate the naval power of the country, and deprive it of further resist ance. If, on the other hand, London cannot be rendered capable of resistance after the defeat of the army in the field, the dockyards and arsenals, if fortified, become places of refuge from which the defence of the country can be protracted, or means of resistance organised ; and unless these are capable of resistance, onr naval means fall within the capital, and the whole power of the nation is practically in abey ance. Indeed the fortification of the dockyards and arsenals by land would aid materially in the de fence of London itself ; for whilst by means of the system proposed the vital points of the empire would be protected against either capture or bom bardment, the fortifications by land would sat the manoeuvring army free to operate against the enemy." There are some works of defence now in pro gress. "During the last two years, more especially, plans of fortification, involving an ultimate expen diture of about a million and a half sterling, hare lx. , en sanctioned by Parliament for works of con siderable extent at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Pem broke and Portland; and contracts have accord ingly been entered into for the construction of those defences, which are now in active progress, and to which we will more particularly refer when con sidering the defence of each of these places." The commissioners do not recommend stationary flo-ting batteries, but moveable fitiating batteries are approvcd of. The following is laid down as the principle on which the proposed chfensive works should be C()fl tructed : " The nature of the wells which we propose for defence against a naval attack will of ne2.essity vary a_:..E,‘er,ling to]the locality. We have proposed °Pan batteries, secured against a coup-de-main by a tower or defensible barrack in their rear, wherever they "could be made to answer the object desired ; but where the sites were so circumscribed as not to afford sufficient space for the requisite amount of fire, and in cases where groat expense must be in curred in constructing foundations on shoals, it is absolutely necessary that sea batteries should be casemated, so as to obtain by tiers of guns as nearly as possible the same effect that is produced by open batteries extended over a considerable length of shore. . i ."Tee works should b e so designed as to be de 'ended by a small body of men against a coup (illeavne ab vi c i a n p ;b ir ut that they should at the same ti me ties of resistance that will enable them to withstand attack likely to be brought against them. l i l t4 a s n tl y a iis vie . ‘v they should be provided with reNdFo would be i thcir gorge, by means of which an enemy work if he Should ld )3 prevented from holding the succeed in obtaining partial pos session of it. a heavy ramparts should be capa ble of affordinm fire of artillery and 11111:3- 11etry t his ebrec ti ; o v n y s an o a ver which an enemy must make approach should be provided for the bomb-proof cover the In situations where the ditches can be ; butvvith water, no re vetment need be construc ted wherever this is not the case, they should eithocrh escarps and eonntersearps or detached walls o a P ve in either case they should be fiankcduliZohribryy;aratnild lery and musketry." The next question is the cost. " The amouni, o f our special estimate i s • £10,390,000; of which sum £ 1 , 88 5,000 is f or the purchase of land, £7,005,000 for the fortificatio ns ire recommend for erection, £500,000 for the arma ment of works, as shown below (sec. 39), and £1,000,000 for floating defences. To this must be added £1,460,000 for works aircadysanetioncd and " It is to be observed that the above sum includes the provision of barrack accommodation, for the most part bomb-proof, for about 30,000 men, with all the space and conveniences provided for troops under ordinary arrangements ; and for neatly double that number when the works are fully gar risoned for defence. This accommodation must have been equally provided under any other system of defence, and is already urgently required in many of the places it is proposed to fortify. " Judging from works for which contracts are already undertaken, those which your commis sioners recommend may very well be executed in three years; but it would be desirable to allow three years and a quarter for the completion of the whole, in order that contractors may have the bene fit of the months from April to June, inclusive, in the fourth year. The payments would therefore extend over four years, and the reserves, which may be taken at 5 per cent. on the entire estimate, would not be paid until after the completion of the contracts. " It is probable the land would be paid for, two thirds in the first, and one in the second year. As regards the works themselves, the expenditure on their account will no doubt be less in the first year than in either of the other two, both because of unforeseen delays which might take place in par- Ititular instances-, and on account of the nature of the work that would be performed at the outset, which, consisting chiefly of excavations, is less ex pensive than the building part of the fortifications. " The entire expenditure may be apportioned as follows : Ist year : For works proposed ... Land £1,250,000. { Works 1,300,000 For works already sanctioned 500,000 For floating defences For armaments 2d year : For works proposed.. ~ Land 635,000 Works 2,361,009 For works already sanctioned 760,000 For floating defences 125,000 For armaments 3d year : For works proposed . 2,361,000 For works already sanctioned .. .. 200,000 For armaments 125,000 4th year:— For works proposed .. 983,000 For armaments 125,000 £3,675,000 4,381,000 2,686,000 1,108,000 Total " With respect to works of land defence which mutually support one another, such as those with which it is proposed to surround Portsmouth, Ply mouth, and Chatham, we conceive that the follow ing principles should be adhered to :- 1. That each work should have its principal salients and flanks partially armed, even dur ing peace; a very few guns will suffice for this purpose. 2. That there should be in reserve in each work, but not mounted, unless the perishable car riages and platforms will be under cover, as many more guns and carriages as will extend the protection of the flanks and faces to what we would term a war armament, as distin guished from a siege armament. 3. Lastly, that there be a general reserve, in some convenient central depot in each position, of a further number of guns and carriages suf ficient to complete the armament of any one of the fronts of attack to its maximum or siege establishment, together with the proper pro portion of every description of store to effect repairs and replace casualties. " The magazine accommodation, the provision of store-room, and the conveniences for filling shells and fixing fuzes, should be calculated generally for the siege armament. "We subjoin a concise statement, in tabular form, of the number of guns, amount of barrack ac commodation, and probable expenses of all the im portant work they recommend, togetheri with simi lar information respecting the works in progress. • 1 4! g mm rs 841 ' ▪ p 4 mqa t c ,7 9 1 '4 ;1714 Station, P:1 PORTSMOUTII AND ISLE OF WIGHT. Guns. Men. £ Recommended by Royal Commission 967 7320 2,400,000 In works in progress 2BO 1500 400,000 Total PLYMOUTH. Recommended by Royal Commission In works in progress Total PEMBROKE. Recommended by Royal Commission In works in progress Total PORTLAND. Recommended by Royal Commission In works in progress Total THAMES. Recommended by Royal Commission MEDWAY AND SHEERNESS. Recommended by Royal Commission CHATMAM. Recommended by Royal Commission Woor.wicir. Recommended by Royal Commission 150 1500 700,000 DavER. Recommended by Royal Commission .. 30 300 170,000 In works in progress Total CORK. Recommended by Royal Commission Total Guns and Barracks Armaments of Works recommended by Royal Com mission Floating Defences Tota Estimate of Expense £11,850,000 The commissioners reserve for a subsequent re port the question of an internal arsenal. Their-re commendations aro unanimous, and they submit them to her Majesty " with a firm conviction that their adoption will place the power of this country for self-defence on a par with its other elements of greatness and strength ; will give security to its industry and commerce ; afford a guarantee to the maintenance of peace, and add a new glory to your Majesty's reign." The report is signed by " Harry D, Jones, Major- General ; D. A. Cameron, Major-General ; George Elliott, Rear-Admiral; F. Abbott, Major-General; A. Cooper Key, Captain R.N. ; J. H. Lefroy, Colo nel R.A. ; Jas. Fergusson. Wm. Drummond Jer vois, Major R.E., and Assist. 1.G.F., Secretary." (I , i'om the Daily News.) The long:expecfed Report of the Commission ap pointed to consider the .Defences of the United Kingdom was issued yesterday. It bean date the 7 . th of F e b ruary , 1860 , an d h as consequently been in the possessi on o f th e G overnment f our months, almost from th e mee ti ng o f Pa r li ament. The Com mission, it will .be remembered, was appointed in August last year, in accord ance w ith a prom i s e made by Lord Palme rs t on i n t h e H ouse of Commons and to satisfy the r equ i rements of honourable members who objected to the, desultory man ner ; n which the public money had us ua ll y b een voted for works of toz f ificn Lion.rno Commissioners were Major-General Sir Harry Jones, of the Royal Engi neers; Major-General Sir Duncan Alexander Came ron, late of the 42d Highlanders; Rear-Admiral ; Major-Geheral Sir Frederick Abbott, of th e Indian Army; Captain Astley Cooper Key, IL N. ;; Colonel J. H. Lefroy, of the Royal Artillery, and M. James Fergusson, a civilian, and author of a new system of fortification. These gentlemen have visited the existing works of defence, have examined the plans of those in c ou rse of construction, have called professional and scientific witnesses before them, and, on a view of the whole, they 113\V pro pose a scheme involving an expenditure of at leas! £12,000,000 sterling. Before we examine their recommendations, let us in justice state that their commission, notwithstanding' the largeness of cer tain of its phrases, did not embrace the general defence of the country. They were appointed as a Fortification Commission," and to fortification their report is confined. The Commissioners begin their report with the unpleasant statement that the fleet is not to be entirely relied on for the defence of our shores, nor would be even if we were willing and able to main tain it on the seal* of that which we had at the be ginning of the century, which the Commissioners say would be a waste of public money. This is a very important statement, and it is very explicitly made, The Commissioners say plainly, " Since the a pplication of steam to the propulsion of vessels we can no longer rely upon bein g a bl e t o p re vent th e landing of a hostile f orce i n th e country." We•give r e o e n p u o i n t e a r s s prominence to thi s statement, not as by any means a , absolute n d final, unanimous as the u In subscribing it, but in order in course of execution ; the whole amounting to £11,850,000, as detailed below. Recommendations of Al rea d y the Royal Commission. autho- Purchase of Erection rised, but Place. Total. Land. of Works not voted ------__,__ £ £ £ £ Portsmounth .... 330,000 2,070,000 400,000 2,800,000 Plymouth 75 5 ,0 00 1,915,000 350,000 3,020,000 Pembroke ,150,000 450,000 165,000 765,000 Portland lOO,OOO 150,000 380,000 630,000 Thames 180,000 Nil. 180,000 Medway & Sheer- 1 50,000 400,000 Nil. 450,000 ess ay Chatham .... ..... 180,000 1,170,000 Nil. 1,350,000 [ Woolwich 300,000 400,000 Nil. 700,000 Dover 20,000 150,000 165,000 335,000 C0rk...... — 120,000 Nil. 120,000 Armament of Works Floating Defences 1,000,000 Total THE SUN, a''/LON DO tv, THURSDAY EVE NI TCI, JUNE 14, 1860. to show the limited sense in which 'the defence of i army must always be comparatively sma ll ; our the country against foreign invasion is understood 1 navy always more or less scattered;_ so we cannot by the authors of this report. They do not once pretend to secure ourselves against a landing every suggest that by any contrivance the landing of an where, or to be able everywhere to encounter with enemy on English soil may be rendered impossible. overpowering numbers a force so landed. •As we No enemy would make the attempt unless prepared cannot be all fleet or all army, the next best thing for a considerable sacrifice of men and materiel in ° is to secure against a sudden blow the means of carrying out his object, but if so prepared there are sustaining the fleet and - supplying the army. The bays and harbours:along the coast suitable for land- destruction of Portsmouth or Plymoutlt would ing his stores and men, the use of which it would cripple our power of repairing the waste of war or be impossible to forbid him. "In the line of coast . weather, and place us at once in a fatal disadvan from the Humber to Penzance, which is about 750 tage. Such an event would now be more serious miles long, there is an aggregate of nearly 300 even than during the late war, in proportion as miles on which a landing may be effected," and steamers are more delicate fabrics and more perish which it would be impossible either to fortify, or, able than sailing vessels. But if dockyards and if fortified, to defend so as to prevent the landing of -arsenals are more necessary, if possible, now than a determined enemy. f ormer ly, th e y are a l so m o re easily assailed. For the We now see what the Commissioners do not pro- destruction of Portsmouth it would no longer be pose to give the nation for its £12,000,000. At necessary that a fleet of liners should work their way the end of their report they publish a paper by into the harbour, or even to an anchorage at Spit- Lord. Overstone, in which we have, on his lord- head, and there measure broadsides with our batteries ship's high financial authority, a description of or guardships. With the means of defence at our the appalling evils which must follow upon the command they would soon go to the bottom, But mere landing of an invading army, without refe- what are the means of defence are also the means rence to ulterior operations," the shock which of offence. If only one or two vessels, of no would be felt " upon the first touch of our soil by a great size, could approach and manoeuvre within " foreign invader." But it is now laid down on 8,000 yards, or four miles and a half, of Ports high military authority that we are not to look for mouth Dockyard, they would be able to throw any scientific expedient or any material combine- shells into it with most dangerous precision, and tion by which in return for a given outlay we may one such shell might do the work of a week's bom acquire absolute exemption from the necessity of bardment, and lay the whole arsenal in ashes, as defending ourselves like men. The whole question well as the ships in the harbour. It is therefore is thus referred once more to the calculations of necessary to advance the fortifications so as to corn moral probability and the instincts of courage. The mend the approaches to a much greater distance. Commissioners say that "there can be no doubt It is proposed to place works at every weak point that the main object of an enemy invading the of the Isle of Wight, and wherever a gun can be country would be to push for the capital, in the brought to bear on the Channel, either by Spithead hope :that if he succeeded in obtaining command or the Needles. On various points on the shore, of ,it, such a disaster would result in oar buying or on shoal ground, are to be erected batteries with him off upon any terms he might think it expo- one, two, or even three tiers of guns, like those dient to exact.' But they do not propose any that baffled us at Cronstadt, and did our fleet so plan for the defence of London, that subject net much damage at the entrance of Sebastopol Har being within the scope of their commission. So hour. Works consisting of forts, with lines of that after spending twelve millions on the plan communication, are to be carried inland, in order suggested by the Commissioners, we should still to keep at a respectful distance any force that might have to consider how to shield the heart of the em- be landed on another part of the shore. The Corn pire, the main object of an invading foe, from at- missioners propose the improvement and enlarge tack. ment of the existing fortifications; and it is satis- The:plan of the Commissioners contemplates an factory to find that they do not pronounce the enemy established within our frontiers. It is same unqualified condemnation of these works that assumed, as we have already seen, that the Fleet we hear or read in some quarters. For the present cannot be certainly relied on to repel his approach. it is :net necessary to say more of the other har- Neither can the Commissioners admit that move- bours and dockyards than that they are treated in able batteries of field guns and the few thousand the same thorough manner. The Commission pro riflemen who might be available on any given pose a guard of moveable floating batteries, and point would effectually prevent his landing, even they suggest means of stopping the channels, to be if they were at hand exactly when they were re- ready in case of emergency. They recommend quired. The enemy having got into the island, that all the new works shall be supplied with the it is suggested that it will be one of his first con- most improved guns, and that the guns of obsolete cerns to destroy our dockyards, because that would fashion or irregular calibre they have found about be one of the most effectual modes of depriving us the country shall be disused. of the power of refitting our Fleet. The royal The one point to which the public attention will dockyards furnish the means of 'retaining our be immediately attracted is. the immense cost of power at sea, by the vast stores and the appliances works which, after all, can only be considered as for the construction and repair of ships of war an improvement of existing defences, and still far which they contain. Thus they are vital points, short of what may be some day called for. Here and we must therefore either fortify them or main- is an expenditure of twelve millions, and the tain in each of them such a body of regular troops metropolis still unprotected. The Commissioners as should be able to resist in the field any corps that themselves observe on the certainty that any might be brought against them; otherwise it would considerable force once landed on the southern be necessary to detach a corps from the main coast would make for the metropolis; and, once manoeuvring army for that purpose. The general there, would be able to exact what terms it objection against fortifications is, that they lock up pleased. Accordingly, the Commissioners propose the troops which ought to go to swell the field force. to enclose with a line of works Shooter's-hill on the The enemy passes by them, and marches to some one side, and the marshes round East Ham and vital point which is not defended. But the Corn- Barking on the other. All this part of the plan, missioners say that these dockyards are vital points, however, is given up or postponed, yet their esti that-they cannot be left undefended, and that to mate is twelve millions. If this be necessary, and make them strong is to acquire the meansafsetting if it also be sufficient, it must be considered as so free regular soldiers for field service. They say that much added to the value of the estate. We pay for such troops as may be got together from the disem- gates and fences, we pay for police; security is no bodied or less perfectly trained portion of the militia, small proportion of even our private expenditure. with local and other volunteers, would, with the We must expect to pay for peace. There are those admixture of regular soldiers, be able to defend our who think we had better fight it out at once with dockyards against any superior numbers, when the supposed foe, and so give him a lesson which fortified upon sound principles. They say that if may save many earthworks, and some large annual we will not fortify the dockyards we must increase items. Possibly it might be the less costly course our regular army; that we cannot do so for less of the two ; but, even so, dear, peace is better than than a first charge of £lll,OOO per thousand men, cheap war, which is dear at any price. Our pre and an annual charge of £60,000 or £70,000 more; sent expenditure is enormous and intolerable. We that to double the regular troops now at home to a must escape from it in one way or the other, strength of 66,000 men, exclusive of the Indian de- Simply to disband and disarm might inspire con pots, would cost eight millions at the outset, and tempt, and so provoke -aggression. A gratuitous nearly four millions per annum afterwards. The war is at best a dangerous speculation. These for advantage they claim for their plan is that " the tification may enable a moderate army and navy to same eight millions expended in fortifications would do the work of much larger forces, and may so be far more effectual for the defence of the dock- enable us to rest from our labours and recruit our yards than any such increase of the regular army, finances. Many anxious patriot might sing his would incidentally provide barrack accommodation Runc dimittis, if he saw all the vital points of our for some thousands of men, and would entail no coast and our national harbpurs so well fortified that future annual charge beyond a small sum for main- no foreiLaner would dare to run the gauntlet of the tenance, and the expense of embodying the substi- batteries. Our old statesmen may naturally wish to tutes for regular troops, whether volunteers, fenci- see the fruits of their lives' toil secured to their bles, or militia, for three weeks' training ; which country. Yet it certainly is a singular sequel to the could not much exceed one-twentieth of the cost of Commercial Treaty. We are admitting everything an equal regular force." French or continental with ou t d u ty ; an d now we Such, without entering into technical particulars, are called on to pay £12,000,000 merely to keep is the recommendation of the Royal Commission. out foreign produce in the shape of our new cus• At present it is not before the public as the propo- tomers. sal of a Ministry. it is one on which no hasty decision must be asked by the Government, which for four months has kept it in a pigeon -hole. There are a hundred questions arising out of the plan, some of them going to its essence, and oth ers affect ing its details to animportant extent. We cannot possibly have the protection of the proposed works for the next three years. Shall we be more likely to need them then than we do now ? Is it so cer (From the Morning Herald.) Is it peace or war ? To look at the present con dition of Europe it is scarcely possible to arrive at any other conclusion than that we are on the brink of such a war, or rather such a series of wars, as that of which we knew something half a century ago. What does it all mean ? From one point of view nothing can be more absurd than to suppose that we are likely soon to witness a general war in Europe. It was only the other day that a Treaty of Commerce was ratified between France and Eng land, and Louis Napoleon tells us himself that he is only anxious to maintain pacific relat;ons with the other Sovereigns of Europe, and to develope the material resources of the splendid country over which he rules. This very day, moreover, the Im perial master of France will leave his capital to take part in a German Congress, of which the alleged object is to put an end to differences of opinion which might igintain the germs of future quarrels. All this looks peaceful enough. Before many days are gone we shall witness the arrival of many thousand Frenchmen in this country, who will be received, not with rifled cannon and Armstrong guns, but, we hope and believe, with open arms, and who will return with pleasant reminiscences of neighbours whom they have been taught, perhaps, to look upon as rivals. In addition to all this, who is not ready to descant on the blessings of peace ? Who is there who would not gladly live to see that second golden age in which the soldier would fi n d hi s occupat i on gone, and sovereigns settle their differences by friendly arbitration ? This is what we all profess to desire. It would, probably, be difficult to find any one who would argue that war is a good in itself aud who would not give his vote in favour of universal peace ? And yet the facts of the case are against such dreams as these. France is arming, Prussia is arm ing, Austria is armed, and, as for England, we have now before us the Report of the Royal Commission appointed last August to inquire into the state of the national defences. According to this report we are not safe. Som.!thing must be done without de lay. We are living in an island, and our coasts are not defended as they ought to be. We will not now enter into details, but merely state that the commis sioners consider it absolutely necessary to take im mediate steps towards placing our national defences on a proper footing. There are only two possible remedies to be applied. We must either increase our army or our fortifications, and the whole question resolves itsel into one or cost. The calculation is that if we adopt a permanent increase to the regular army, it would cost about eight millions at the outset, and nearly four millions annually after wards, to double the number of troops now at home. Tee commissioners, however, consider that it is not necessary to incur this enormous expendi ture. It is quite possible to accomplish all that is to be desired by increasing and strengthening . our fortifications, and, in this case, " the same eight millions expended in fortifications would be far more effectual for the defence of the dockyards than any such increase of th e regu l ar army." It is clear that the sum spent on fortifying the " vital points" of our coast, and the annual sum required for keeping them up, would be comparatively small. The only additional expense would be that of embodying substitutes for regular troops, and it would probably amount to little more than one twentieth of the sum required for a permanent in crease of the army. We have elsewhere published an abstract of the report, and we shall have alaundant opportunities for discussing it in detail. In the meantime we have but two observations to make. In the first place, the large expenditure we may be called upon to incur is solely for the purpose of national de fence. No one will accuse us of entertaining aggressive designs against our neighbours. It has never formed part of our policy to make war for an " idea," and we have already territory enough to preclude the notion that we should ever attempt to encroach on that of our neighbours. But we must also observe that the necessity fsr this enormous expenditure is laid upon us. We all know what is the real cause of the prodigious military activity that is now to be witnessed in Europe ; and while we reel it incumbent on us to prepare for every contingency we do not the less desire that those who arc the arbiters of peace or war on the Con tinent would consent to furnish us with some sub stantial proofs of their pacific intentions. tain that Britannia needs bulwarks and "towers along the steep ?" Are we sure that the rifle. guns now coming- into use will not make vain many of the precautions on which we have been hitherto relying ? Is it more likely that the dock yards will save London, or that London will save the dockyards in a given case ? IVe shall have to return frequently to this subject. (From the Times.) The Report of the Commission on the Defences of the United Kingdom, though by no means short of its title or instructions, will probably dissipate some popular anticipations. The Commissioners were not instructed to consider the defence of the country, at every part of the coast, foam all manner of attack. The simple fact which they mention—that, of the 900 miles of coast from the Humber to the Land's End, 600 miles admit of a lauding under ordinary circumstances—serves to show the impossibility of fortifying these islands. The instructions were, to begin with an examination of the works in progress at Portsmouth, including the Isle of Wight and Spithead, Plymouth, Portland, Pembroke, Dover, and Chatham and the Medway ; to treat them as part of any general scheme of defence • to take into account the small amount of force, andespecially of artillery, available for defence, and to give their first attention to Portsmouth. These instructions are much the same as those which have been frequently given before, and on which have been formed the works existing or in progress. The single novelty, at least to the living generation, was the conclud ing instruction, to consider the defence of Wool wich from attack by river or by land, particularly as bearing on the defence of the metropolis. The Commissioners have met this last instruction as carefully as the rest, but it may be as well to say at once that their suggestions on this head have been abandoned for the present; and nothing is proposed for the defence of Woolwich or the me tropolis. A subsequent instruction reminded the Commissioners that it had been decided not to con. centrate any longer our guns and materiel at Wool wich, and directed them to consider the defence of Weedon. It also called their attention to the de. fence of Haulbowline and Queenstown. It will be seen, then, that the task imposed is not of a very wide or exhaustive character. The existing arsenals, dockyards, and hat hours are treated as the vital points of the country, and the report confines itself to the improvement of their defences. Whatever opinion may be entertained as to the weakness of our shores, and the liability of the metropolis itself to a sudden attack, the estimate for what is actu- ally proposed will sufficiently account for its stop ping short where it does. The expense of the works recommended or already in progress, including pur chase of land, is estimated at £2,800,000 for Ports mouth and the Isle of Wight, £3,020,000 for Ply mouth, £765,000 for Pembroke, £630,000 for Port land, £lBO,OOO for the Thames, £450,000 for the Medway and Sheerness, £1,350,0000 for Chadian), .t 700,060 for Woolwich, 1335,000 for Dower, and 1120,000 for Cork. The armament of these works they estimate at £500,000 and add £1,000,000 for floating defences. Th e t o t a l i s £11 , 850 , 000 , o f which about a million and a half has been already authorised, although not voted. It is the intention of Government to proceed promptly and vigorously on a great portion of the report, but to abandon the attempt to defend Woolwich. The estimate for Woolwich is not so consid era bl e as to affect the i' financial aspect of the question at this moment ; but it is propSsed to expend in all only about eight and a-half millions, instead of the eleven and three-quarter millions of the report. This includes £1,850,000 for the purchase of land, which it is proposed to acquire at once under the Defences Act. As only a small por tion of the land will be wanted for .the works, and the remainder will merely be kept clear for build ings, the latter will be let out, and need not be an unprofitable investment. Cbvernment will propose to commence the works immediately, and the Com missioners have pointed out how thq may be avail able for defence in three or four months, even while far short of completion. It is intended to raise the money by terminable annuities, so that the whole sum may be absorbed in twenty-five years. It is impossible to give here even a general sketch of the works proposed; and all that can be attempted is to indicate some of the considerations which We understand that .the Great Eastern, en her return voyage, will make Milford Haven her port of arrival. The authorities at Milford engao to extend the "gridiron" at the Haven, thus allowing the 'cottom of the great ship to be effectually cleaned, and to supply coals at the cheap rate of 12s. per ton. The remits of the trial trip being looked uponas isfacto - ey, passages continue to be booked, appear to have guided the Commissioners. Our LA TV IN. -June 13. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. Sittings at Nisi Prius.—(Before Mr. Baron Wilde and a Common Jury.) BAINES V. BRO I Y.NE. - EXTRAORDIIN'ARY LIBEL CASE. This trial was resumed for the fourth day this morning. Mr. Edwin James and NTr.Dowdeswell appeared for the plaintiff; Mr. Macaulay and Mr. Thompson Chitty for the defendant. The examination of witnesses for the defence was proceeded with. - Jane Howard, the cook formerly in the service of Mr. Burroughs, and now living with Mrs. Bur roughs, was callel to prove acts of familiarity be tween him and Mrs. Baines. She deposed that on one occasion, when Mrs. Burroughs was at Weston, witness searched for Mr. Burroughs and found him in Dr. Browne's room, sitting or lying on the sofa, and Mrs. Baines was writing in the same room. When Mrs. Baines came doss n the servants were laughing, and Mrs. Baines said he had been lying on the sofa reading, and she had been writing, and there was no harm in that. On one occasion Mr. Burroughs was sitting in the dressing-room and pulled her towards him, and said, " Give us a kiss." She said, " I shan't ; if you don't leave off I'll tell Mrs. Burroughs, or call Jane," when he said, " I'm sure you will ; I fancy I hear you." Mrs. Baines used to be frequently in the cellar with him, and the servants used to laugh about it. About the beginning of November witness saw Mr. Burroughs and Mrs. Baines walking arm-in-arm. It was half-past eight, on a moonlight night. When Mrs. Baines came home witness said, " Mrs. Baines, what do you think, master has been sport ing some girl out to-night." Mrs. Baines said, " Do you know who it was ?" - Witness said "I'm not certain." Mrs. Baines said, " Oh, I will tell him of that." The housemaid said ; " Don't get Jane into a row." Witness said, " She may tell him. I can swear who it was." By the Court—They were walking on the high road near the station. Examination continued—l slept with Mrs.Baines after the child died for four or five nights. The night or two after I slept with her I said, " Master behaves - to you more like a husband than he does to miesus." She said, " Oh, do you think so ?" She told me that Mr. Burroughs had said to her coming up the cellar stairs, " 'lie your garter above the knee; if you tie it below it will spoil the look of your leg." The first night I slept with her she said, " You must not be surprisdd if Mr. Burroughs comas up stairs to-night." I said, " What for ?" She said he thought she would require a little me dicine. I said, " Can't you have it before you go to bed ?" She said, "Mr. Burroughs is not in." We went to bed together. She did not say to me before we went to bed,' Tell Mr. Burroughs I shall not want any medicine." I slept on the side fur thest from the wall. There was a night-light burn ing. Mr. Burroughs came into the room at two o'cloele. I awoke, I don't know why I awoke un less he moved the elothes.from my face. I found his face almost close to my face. He flew away, and I did not see him go. After I came down stairs Mrs. Baines said, " Did Mr. Burroughs come up last night?" I said "He did, and I . never was so frightened in my life." (Laughter.) She said, " He did laugh so when he told me." By the Court—l was very much frightened, and did not go to sleep for an hour. The next day, Sunday, Mrs. Burroughs was at church, and on her return I told her that Mr. Burroughs had been in the nursery. I did not see him, but he was fetched from there. I did not tell Mrs. Burroughs that he had been in the room at night. When Dr Browne called at Mrs. Burridge's, where I was lodging, at Horsham, he said nothing to me about Mrs. Bur roughs. [The witness Ann Rudgman, called yes terday, swore that he had.] Cross-examined—She was now Miss Smith's ser vant. The defendant frequently visited at Ashbur ton-cottages. He came there to see them all. She said nothing to Dr. Browne when he visited her at her lodgings about Mrs. Baines ; it was not true if any one had said that she did. She asked the doctor if he thought it was proper she should go and live with Mrs. Burroughs. Ho said she was to please herself. She had received a letter from Mrs. Bur roughs when she was in Guildford -street, and she gave the doctor the address. She tore the letter up.. When Mrs. Burroughs came back Dr. Browne was staying at the King's Head. She went backwards and forwards several times. On one occasion she went with a note from Miss Smith and received an answer. She took a message as well. The letter asked Dr. Browne to write and inform her relatives and friends what had occurred and explain matters, as she had no father or brother to do it for her. The letter was read to her before she went with it ; she did not recollect what answer was returned. She told Lloyd that she " had not seen anything im proper between Mrs. Baines and Mr. Burroughs, but she had seen much that was right." Ann Rudg man and the groom said the same. When Mr. Bur roughs came into the bedroom he "passed away like a flash of lightning," (Laughter.) She was much frightened, but she did not wake Mrs. Baines, or mention it to her till Mrs. Baines spoke to her about it. She did not recollect when she mentioned it to others. She saw the plaintiff and Mr. Burroughs walking arm-in-arm on a Sunday night in Novem ber near the Horsham Railway. Mr. Burroughs walked out with the doctor generally in company with Miss Smith and sometimes with the little boy. She had occasionally been out with them. She was the only servant kept at Ashburton-cot tages, Ann Rudgman was out of a situation, and had resided there last week. She had never on any occasion spoken of these matters in the doctor's presence. Frederick Prior examiNed—l was groom to Mr. Burroughs for nearly four years. I had two horses and a pony to take care of. My bedroom adjoined Mrs. Baines's. I have seen Mr, Burroughs . and Mrs, Baines together in her day nursery, and the night nursery where she and the children slept. He used to come to the kitchen and call for Mrs. Baines, and she used to no into the nursery and stop there for some time. Mrs. Baines used to say that she always liked Mr. Burroughs and always should, but she never spoke well of Dr. Browne. I have seen Mr. Burroughs and :Mrs. Baines on the common together. I passed them close. Mr. Bur roughs was smoking a cigar, and Mrs. Bathes was leaning on his arm. They were walking up and down, and I passed them twice. I passed them face to face. They must have seen me. She wore a black dress and plaid shawl, and he had his corded trousers on. She often went out in the evening, and my master used to go out about the same time. I remember Mrs. Burroughs going away to Horsham. One night between one and two, dur ing her absence, I was awoke by the surgery bell. I heard Mr. Burroughs call out from the window, "Who's there ?" and the reply, " You're wanted to go to Warnhani." He went downstairs. I expected to be called up to saddle the horse, but was not. I heard him come up in about 10 minutes or quarter of an hour up the back stairs. He went into Mrs. Baines's room ; I could hear his voice, but I could not understand what he said. There is quite a thin wall between my room and Mrs. Baines's. He remained in her room about an hour as I could count. I heard a noise after he went into the room and then they were quite quiet. The door was not wide open, but it was not Batched; the next morning Mrs. Bathes said Mr. Burroughs had gone to Warnham, about two miles off. T told the servants what I told to-day. Dr. Browne was then sleeping with his little boy on the second floor. Cross - examined—I left Mr. names because the servants could not agree. I agreed very well with Ann ltudgman. (Laughter.) Mr. Holmes said she and I were keeping company. We always did ' agree. I never drove out with Dr. Browne while I was at Holmes's. I drove him out, but then it was with Mr. Holmes's horse. (Laughter.) lam now living at Hampstead, with Mr. Devonport. Mr. James—Oh, that is Dr. Browne's partner. (Laughter.) Witness—l don't know whether he is or not. I went to Mr. Devonport because he wrote for ,me. Dr. Browne did not get me the place. I have not seen Dr. Browne there during the fortnight I have been there. I have seen him in London, but' not before this trial came on. I can't say where I saw him before. I don't say I have seen him acci dentally. Mr. James—Where did you first see him ? The witness hesitated. Mr. Baron Wilde—You must answer the question. Witness—l met him at a coffee-shop. I cannot say what passed. He said a word, but I can't re member what he said. He said I was to go to Devonporl's. (Laughter.) Mr. James—Where did you see him next ? The witness made no answer.- The Judge—You Inuit answer. Witness—l have been once to his lodgings, at 17, Russell-street, last week, about my coming down here. Nothing else as I know of passed— nothing, sir. Mr. James—Now, I ask you, on your oath, did he not get you the place at Devonport's ? No answer. The Judge—Don't you know- he got you the place ? Witness—l suppose he did. Mr. James—Now, on your oath, had he not pro mised to get you a good place in London P Witness—Yes, he did promise, sir. (Sensation.) Cross-examination continued—,l will swear my master did not go to Warnham on the night when he was called up. I never knew him to walk so far as Warnham—two miles. I mentioned this Warnham story to the servants and Lloyd. Lloyd said unless we could prove anything criminal we could do nothing. I don't know that I ever told Dr. Browne anything much of it. He found it out himself. The Judge—How do you know ? Witness—Because he did. The Judge—Mind what you say, witness, or I shall have to commit you. Witness—He did not tell me he had found it out. Of course I saw him about coming here. I was " spe nied" up here. (Laughter.) Ann Rudgman was at the coffee-house. Mr. James•—You have sworn who was there, and she was not one of them. Oh, this is shocking ! Mr. Macaulay—Don't say that. Mr. Baron Wilde—lt is disgraceful. The Foreman—lf I may say so, my lord,.we have made up our minds that there is not the least evi dence of adultery on the part of the plaintiff, and it is now only a question of damages. Mr. Baron Wilde—That is certainly my opinion, gentlemen. Here is the only witness called to prove the adultery, and he cannot be believed. Mr. James—Of course the matter will end here. We have no other evidence. Mr, Macaulay—l hope the jury will not yet make up their minds. Mr. Baron Wilde—The jury have heard the case with extreme patience, and have not interposed un til the only witness called to prove the adultery cannot be believed on his oath. Mr. Macaulay—l desire to put.a few questions to the witness, to show that his answers have been founded on misconception. Mr. Baron Wilde—The jury are ready to hear you, and so am I. Re-examined—While I was at Mr. Holmes's I gave my evidence to a lawyer. I told him what I have told to-day. Dr. Browne promised to get me a good place in London because I left Mr. Burroughs, when.l gave warning because the other servants left, and Mrs. Burroughs went away, and I would not stop with Mr. Burroughs. My evidence was taken afterwards by Mr. Hincks. Mr. Macaulay —The jury will understand that the first attorney, Mr. Webb, was Mrs. Burroughs's attorney in the matrimonial suit, and Mr. Hincks is Dr. Browne's attorney. Mr. James—That does not account for his being in the coffee-shop with Dr. Browne. (Laughter.) Mr. Macaulay—Because a defendant's witness happens to be in his company it is no reason why he should not he believed. Mr. Baron Wilde—That is not the reason, Mr. Macaulay. The witness is not believed because he has conducted himself most disgracefully, and I am not sure that I have done right in not committing him for perjury. Mr. Macaulay—With an ignorant witness a good deal of this prevarication, it' you will, may arise from a fear that some mischief is intended. Mr. Baron Wilde—l don't care what is intended. He is here to speak the truth on his oath. A Juryman—Hear, hear. Mr. James—An ignorant witness, if he speak the truth, will often give evidence better than a scien tific one. Ellen Penfold, a dressmaker at Horsham, exa mined—l used to work at Mr. Burroughs's house with Mrs. Baines. Mr. Baron Wilde—Do you think it worth while, Mr. Macaulay, after what the jury have said, to pursue evidence which has reference to the gentle• man of a house being seen in one of the rooms with his servant ? Mr. Macaulay—lt would not be worth a feather unless this gentleman had put it on the high ground that no familiarities had taken place between him and his servant. Mr. Baron Wilde—We have to try this cause on ' the issues raised. The plaintiff complains that she has been charged by the defendant with leaving committed adultery, and that issue is on you as I shall tell the jury. Mr. Macaulay—Suppose the adultery is not proved, still on the question of damages it is im portant to know whether, though the proof of the last act of intrigue fails, there had or had not been familiarities. Mr. Baron Wilde—l do not say you are not en titled to go on, 'but I put it to you whether you will decrease or inflame the damages by an endeavour to blacken the character of Mrs. Baines. Mr. Macaulay—l protest against it being said that blacken character after the opening. Mr. Baron Wilde—Not you, but the tendency of the evidence is to do so. The examination of the witness was then pro ceeded with. She deposed that in October she had seen Mr. Burroughs and Mrs. Baines walking to gether about nine in the evening, and she had told this to Mrs. Nightingale. Miss Anne Smith examined—l am Mrs. Bur roughs's aunt. I had no knowledge of anything existing as to Mr. Burroughs and Mrs. Baines until about the Bth of December. My niece had made no communication of her suspicions before that. I remember my niece being ill when the cook and I were sitting with her. I think it must have been that time when the cook made a communication to my niece, Mrs. Baines was sitting with me when Dr. Browne called at the door and called her out. That was when Mrs. Burroughs was at the theatre. She left the room. Mr. Baron Wilde—That is the very thing which Mrs. Baines has sworn. Mr. Macaulay —It has been pointedly denied. The judge turned to his notes of Mrs. Baines's evidence, and it exactly corresponded with that of the witness. Examination continued—l have no ground what ever for suspecting any improper intimacy between Dr. Browne and my niece. The Judge—l can understand why you put that question, but I submit to you is it worth while to pursue this when it is not in issue ? Mr. Macaulay—l submit that on the question of damages this question is at the bottom of the mat ter, when Mrs. Burroughs is charged with adultery. Mr. Baron Wilde—There is no evidence of adub tory on the part of M rs. B urroughs. 'The Jury—No, my lord. We entirely exonerate Mrs. Burroughs. There was a great deal of inti macy between her and Dr. Browne, but there is not the slightest proof of adultery. Mr. Macaulay —My lord, lam amply satisfied with what you and the ,jury have said. Mr. Baron Wilde-There has been evidence of a great intimacy, but none whatever of adultery. The Foreman—Mr. Macaulay, if you will now leave the case in our hands I don't think you will suffer. Mr. Macaulay—l am much obliged to the gentle. man who has made that observation, but I have a few remarks to make on the question of damages. I should wish, before I do that, my lord, to call Dr. Browne, in order that he may exonerate himself from the charges which have been made against him in the course of this cause. Mr. Baron Wilde—lt is quite competent to you to do so, and I will add it is a very proper course. Dr. Browne examined—l got a note from Mrs. Burroughs, of the sth or Rh:December, telling me the children were well. Beyond her complaints that Mr. Burroughs was too often in the nursery, and indeed that I was too, I had no idea that Mrs. Bur roughsentertain ed any suspicion of Mr. Burroughs's infidelity with Mrs. Baines. On the Bth December, when I arrived, the little boy and Ellen met me at the station, and said, "I am glad you have come home, papa has been so cruel to mamma." I went to the house and made no allusion to what the boy had said. When Mrs. Burroughs was going to bed she said, " I have had some little differences with Frederick." I sat up with him and said, "Fre derick, what are these differences?" He said, "Do not talk to me—my wife shall go ; my purpose is irrevocable. Her temper is such that I will not put up with it any more." He did not impute anything to her beyond that. I said, " You know you have given her cause for anger by going too often to the nursery. I told him I had waived my right to go there lest it might appear that I was setting him an example, We said no more. Mr. and Mrs. Burroughs held no conversation, except, perhaps, " I will thank you for a slice of that beef." (Laughter.) Before Mr. Frank Burroughs, Miss Smith said, "Mr. Burroughs is going to turn his wife out of the house. She has no one but me to rely upon, Will you assist me in this matter ?" I said I would. She told me that Mr. Burroughs had been in Mrs. Baines's room at night, and that she had been in his dressing-room, and that Mrs. Burroughs had seen her husband coming down the stairs in his shirt. Mrs. Burroughs was no party to this conversation with Miss Smith. On the fol lowing morning I said that if Mr. Burroughs was determined to net in a harsh manner, I would plane my children with Mrs. Burroughs if she, as her aunt, would take care of her niece. I thought it would prevent the appcarance—Oi anything indeli cate if Mrs. Burroughs was under her aunt's pro• tection. I felt bound in honour to carry our this promise, and I have done so to the best of my ability. I never said that Mrs. Baines was the only i-irtuous woman in the house. Mr. Baron Wilde--I don't recollect that. Mr. Macaulay—l am sorry I have made a mis take; it was to Jeremiah Brown, Mrs. Bain e e s brother. Witness—The day of the break up I said to M rs. 8. - tines ' "See what you have donP,' , and she to o k Mrs. B ur roughs's hand and said, "Forgive me it is a ll m r . Burroughs's fault." I said to Mr. 'Bur ugFrederick, I cannot se e mur d er committed —you o I your wife." H e sa id he would kick e ar o c ut k o il f ling the house, and I a ft erwards left. I r o told Miss Smith at Mr. Holmes's she might still claim my promise that I would pay Mrs. Burroughs £ll5 a year for the care of my children. I did not ask questions and get narratives from the servants. I called on Mr. Billings with Miss Smith and Mrs. Burroughs. Mr. Macaulav—What did you tell him? Mr. James—l object to this. Examination coatinued—l recommended a soli citor to Mrs. Burroughs. I did not know what proceedings were taken in the Divorce Court. I never got any information from Prior as to what he had seen. I heard it from Mr. Webb, the soli citor. I wrote this letter which is the libel to Mr. Britton, I wrote it because it was circulated in the neighbourhood. that I had eloped with Mrs. Bur roughs, and wished as far as I could to contradict the statements made against myself. I wrote the letter as a private communication. I think it pro bable that when Prior was in Mr. Burroughs's ser vice, I promised to get him a place. I had nothing to do with ge t t i ng him a place at Mr. Holmes's, but I had at Devonport's. I never asked Prior ques tions as to what he could prove. Cross-examined—l met Mrs . . Burroughs and her aunt at the Pimlico station, because I had received letters from Miss Sthith and Mr. Holmes. I said to many persons at Horsham, that Mr. Burroughs had intrigued with Mrs. Baines. I will not deny or affirm that I said that he had intrigued with her. I narrated the stories I had heard. I had met Mr. Britton twice at the railway station at Brighton, and dined with him twice at Mr. Burroughs's. By the Court—l said to Mrs. Baines's brother that it was unfortunate Mr, Burroughs was so smitten with her, but I could not believe all the stories about her. I cannot swear that I did not say she was the most virtuous woman we had about or that I did. Mr. James—Have you not read the petition which Mrs. Borroughs has presented to the Divorce Court ? Witness—l have never read it through. Mr. James—Do you not know she charged her husband of adultery with Mrs. Baines ? Witness—l did. A Juror—Was it at the time you were circulating these reports that you saw Mr. Brown ? Witness—lt was. This closed the case for the defence, and Mr. Macaulay then addressed the jury on the question of damages. Mr. James then replied on the whole case. . Mr. Baron Wilde having summed up, The jury retired for about a quarter of an hour, and returned into court with a verdict for the plain tiff—damages, £350. [We have been requested by Mr. Charles Lloyd, upholsterer, of Horsham, to state that he is not the person of the same name alluded to in the course of this trial.] POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—June 13. BOW-STREET. —Robert rage, the conductor of a Brixton omnibus (No. 2,144), was summoned for loitering on his journey, and for costs; under the following circumstances : The complainant, Mr. F. Walker, watchmaker, of 23, Acre-lane, deposed that he got into defend ant's omnibus at the Green Man and Still, Oxford street, at half-past 11 o'clock on the sth inst., in tending to return to his residence at Brixton. It was the last omnibus on the road. On arriving at Charing-cross the driver pulled up and remained there ten minutes. Witness knew the conductor, and requested him to go on. He replied, "If you are in a hurry I am not," Witness repeated his request, adding that if he did not proceed at once on the journey he (complainant) would get out and take a cab, charging him (conductor) with the ex pense. Defendant said if he liked to take a cab he might do so, but he Gould have to pay for it him self; his time of leaving Charing -cross was a quarter to twelve, and he should not go before. Witness told the defendant it was already past that time (it bring only thirteen minutes to twelve), but he still remained, upon which witness and his sister got out of the omnibus, hailed a cab, and so completed the remainder of the journey, resolved to try the question as to whether the expense could not be recovered from the defendant by application to a police-court. He had brought his sister to the court to-day, in another cab, to give evidence if necessary in support of the charge. The defendant said it was usual to stop at Char ing-cross ten minutes, and he had not been there more than five minutes when the complainant got out and took the cab, In support of this defence the conductor called another passenger. Mr. John Wright, of 13, Trinity-square, Brix ton, stated that the omnibus had not been detained at Charing-oross more than five minutes when the .complainant interfered. Mr. Jardine said the defendant had no right to stop at Charing-cross even for a minute. The police were directed to prevent omnibuses from loitering on the road, but they could not be expected to be always at hand. He (Mr. Jardine) was glad the public were taking up the subject for them selves, as the magistrates had the power to inflict a penalty of 10s. and costs in each case. He should fine the present defendant 55., and the expenses in curred by complainant in taking a cab home, and also for his cab i n a tt en di ng the court—making 6z. 3d. The fine and costs were paid. LAMBETH.—Mrs. Eliza Harriet Mary Fel tham, the lady who had been examined at this court on Monday last, on a charge of stealing an embroidered toilet and a pair of mittens, from the stall of Lady Emily Peel, at the Bazaar or " Fancy Fair," at the Crystal Palace, on Saturday last, sur rendered to her bail. Mr. Wontner, on behalf of the charity for the benefit of which the "Fancy Fair" was holden, at tended to prosecute, and Mr. James Lewis appeared for the prisoner. Lady Emily Peel was examined by Mr. Wontner —Her ladyship said that on Saturday last she had charge of a stall at a Bazaar or "Fancy Fair" held in the Crystal Palace, for the benefit of the schools belonging to the Clerks and Warehousemen's Society. The embroidered washhand stand doyley produced was part of the things on her stall which had been for sale, and she had not missed it, or the gloves or mittens, when they had been brought to her by Bell, the officer. Mr. Elliott—Can your ladyship say when they were on the stall, or when you last saw them ? ' Lady Emily—l observed the doyley in the fore noon. The doyley was pinned to the stall and hung down, and the gloves, though I don't wish to swear to them, were on the stall. Mr. Elliott —You had such gloves, or mittens, on your stall? Lady Peel—Oh, yes; but yet I do not like to swear to them, Mr. Elliott—The articles on the stall were your own? Lady Peel—Yes, they were all supplied by me. Mr. Elliott—Do you recollect the price of the doyley ? Lady Peel—l cannot at this moment recollect. Mr. Elliott—l understand it was labelled 10s. ? Lady Peel—Well, that was the price at which it should be sold. In cross-examination by Mr. Lewis, Lady Peel admitted that there was a considerable crowd throughout the day about her, and that there was a possibility of the article getting pushed off by the pressure of the people. Her ladyship added that she thought it had been in danger of dropping off, and she recollected turning it up on the stall ; but the pi n by w hi c h i t was f ormer l y held•still held it attached to the stall. Mr. Elliott observed that, however respectabl e the party, it was hi s d uty to see justice carried out, and he must therefore send the case befo re a j ury, The prisoner was th e n committed for t r i a l to the Surrey Sessi ons , b u t was admitted to bail in two sureties of £5OO each. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Pills and Ointment.— Cherish hope. Let no sufferer despair of cure till a fair trial has been given to these inc omparable medicaments. Marvellous cures are constantly reported of invalids being restored to health when all hope had long since vanished. All complaints of the chest, all irregularities of the heart, impurities of the blood, all de rangements of the stomach and liver are banished by Holloway's preparations. The Ointment must be well rubbed over the parts affected twice a-day at least, and oftener in urgent cases. The use of this Ointment, aided by Holloway's Pills, will cure all sores, ulcers , piles, fistulas, and skin diseases. However old, or obstinate to their power, all eventually yield. CRESSIVELL.—On theß 13IRTHS. th inst., at Twi c k en h am , th e w i fe of C. N. Cresswell, Esq., of a son. CAPEL.---On the 12th inst., at 25, Princes•square, Bays water, the wife of Arthur Capel, Esq., of a daughter. WYLLIE.—On the 7th inst., at Ellerslie, n ear B arnstaple, the wife of Li eut.-Col. R. Wyllie, of a son. MARRIAGES. EDMONDS—COOKE —On the 12th inst., at Chiswick Church, Mr. T. J. Ed mon d s , o f Hounslow., to Maria, daughter of the late T. M. Cooke, Esq., of Chiswick. ATEL TITTISH—WALTER.—On the 12th inst ., at St. John's, Margate, Mr. F. W. Melhuish, of Gilbert-street, Gros venor-square, to Maria Ann, eldest daughter of Mr. C. D. Walter, of Margate, and of Bell-yard, Temple-bar, London. DEATHS. BRAND.—On the 12th inst., at Bedford-hill House, Bal ham, Surrey, James Brand, Esq., aged 64. ELLlsorr.—On the 13th inst., at Whitehall Gardens, Cuth bert Ellison, Esq., of Milburn Hall, i n the county of Durham, aged 77. GREY.—On the 12th inst., at Roebuck Hall, near Dublin Charles S. Grey, Es q ., age d 50. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG-, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Thursday, Ante 14, 1860. . i _.;^. ~, A .. ~7