The Sun. — London, England, 1865-03-17 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at the usual hour. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Dublin Trunk Connecting Railway (City Exten sion) Bill was read a second time. COURTS OF JUSTICE BILL. _, The LORD CHANCELLOR presented two petitions in favour of the Carey-street site of the new law courts. FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR EVIDENCE AND PRACTICE BILL. Lord CHELMSFORD moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which he stated was to introduce into criminal trials the same practice as regarded the addresses of counsel which prevailed lin civil suits. When the sub ject came before their lordships previously his noble and learned friend (Lord Wensleydale) proposed an amend mont to the effect that the judge should decide re specting the course the counsel for a prisoner should take in case he considered the evidence did not warrant a sum ming up, a course which he felt bound to condemn. Lord CRANWORTH said he considered that, in allow ing the prisoners' counsel. to have the right of making two speeches, there would, in many cases, be a great waste of the public time. The LORD CHANCELLOR expressed himself in favour of the assimilation of the procedure in criminal and civil cases, and he did not apprehend that, generally speaking, any inconvenience would arise to the public from the adoption of that course. The Bill was then read a second time. BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY (IRELAND) ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The committee on this bill was appointed. BRITISH KAFFRARIA BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION BILL. This bill was read a second time. JOINT BOUNDARY OF TURKEY AND PERSIA. Lord STRATFORD DE RED FE inquired of her Majesty's Government respecting the joint boundary of Turkey and Persia, and moved for papers relating to the construction of the official map of that frontier. He said that her Majesty's Government had endeavoured, from time to time, as far as in their power, to prevent hostilities between the two Powers. In 1857 negotiations were en tered into with the view of preventing an effusion of blood, but difficulties of no common character interposed to pre vent the object of the friendly mediation of this country being carried out. It was then determined between the Persian and British commissioners to place the mat ter on scientific grounds, by the construction of a map of the boundary in dispute. They had to con tend with the difficulties arising from the making of a map embracing territory from Mount Ararat to the Persian Gulf, inhabited by barbarous and nomadic tribes. At length, the British and Persian Commissioners, acting under the instructions of their respective Governments, and attended by engineers appointed by the Ottoman Go vernment, commenced their operations, which were sus pended by the breaking out of the Crimean war. An attempt had been made to induce the Russian Government on scientific grounds to allow the work to proceed, but with out success. He understood, however, that a portion of the map had been finished, and was very satisfactory. Earl RUSSELL explained that the negotiations com menced in 1843 ; that a treaty was prepared for the settle ment of the question in 1847, and a commission appointed to define the boundary, but great difficulty and delay had arisen. He believed, however, that the negotiations would be concluded by the end of the present month. The Earl of HARROVTBY brought under notice the effect of the revised code of regulations of the Committee of Privy Council for Education, dated the Bth of last month, in reference to the education of children under six years of age. One of the alterations thus introduced had given rise to considerable inconvenience, by requiring that the public grant for these children should depend upon the report of the inspector as to the general conduct of the school, and the attendance on the day of examination. The attendance, however, on any particular day depended upon the weather and other exceptional circumstances, and he thought it was unwise and unjust to regulate the grant in that way. Earl GRANVILLE said there was no change in the system with regard to the special point referred to ; the passage in the revised code which had given rise to the misapprehension being the result of a clerical error. A short conversation ensued, and their lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING. The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock. SIGNATURE TO PETITIONS. A report was brought up from the select committee on public petitions, stating that there was reason to believe that a number of the signatures attached to petitions in favour of the motion of Azeem Jah were forgeries. Mr. C. FORSTER vindicated himself from the charges which had been made against him by Mr. Hennessy on Tuesday evening, of having taken•an unusual and partisan course in bringing the matter specially before the house at that particular time. Mr. COX said he had presented petitions on the subject, believing that all the signatures were genuine. He should like to know what course members were to take to test the genuineness of signatures to the petitions they pre sented. Mr. HENNESSY said he had not the slightest inten tion of making any personal reflection on the hon. mem ber for Walsall (Mr. Forster) in the observations he ad dressed to the house on Tuesday. He was of opinion then that if the matter was mentioned at the particular moment it was it would prejudice the debate. He was of that opinion still, but he hoped the hon. gentleman opposite would acquit him of any intention of imputing personal motives to him. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. SHELLEY thought that some decisive steps should be taken in the matter in order to prevent the right of petitions being tampered with. The report was then ordered to lie on the table. PETITIONS. 3ft. MUNDY presented a petition in favour of the re peal of the malt tax. Mr. BAZLEY presented a petition in favour of the aboli tion of duty on fire insurances. Mr. COLLINS presented a petition from Yorkshire in favour of the repeal of the malt tax. Colonel SYKES presented petitions from certain Indian officers praying for a redress of their grievances. Mr. NEWDEGATE presented a petition in favour of the repeal of the malt tax. Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from the Chamber of Commerce of Sheffield, praying for an amendment in the law of partnership. Mr. Alderman SALOMONS presented a petition, praying for a repeal of the duty on fire insurance. Mr. LOCKE presented a petition from the Board of Works of St. Olaves, Southwark, in favour of a repeal of the duty on fire insurance. Mr. S. FITZGERALD presented a petition in favour of an amendment of the laws relating to coal mines. OATHS OR DECLARATIONS. Mr. COLLINS moved an address that there be added to the return relative to oaths, addressed for on the 13th March, a return of each declaration now required to be taken by any of her Majesty's subjects in the United King dom, stating by what classes each such declaration is re quired to be taken, and of all declarations that have been abolished or altered since the Ist January, 1829. The motion was agreed to. T TTP4 PATENT-OFFICE. Mr. HODGSON gave notice that on an early day he should ask whether the Government would lay on the table of the house the report of Mr. Hindmarsh with re spect to the Patent-office. In tho event of refusal, he should take an opportunity of bringing the whole subject under the consideration of the house. DOCKYARD ARTIFICERS. Mr. FERRAND asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why the men in Devonport Dockyard were not paid in money for the extra hours they worked instead of getting holiday time in lieu thereof ; and what number of hours' extra time the men worked last year, and what holidays they were compelled to take in lieu thereof ? Lord C. PAGET said the artificers in the dockyard were paid for overtime in money, but when they asked for a holiday they had the option of making up for it by work ing extra hours on the following day. There were cases where some of the men were kept for tidal work ; they were allowed to remain away a corresponding number of hours next day. As a rule, all extra work was paid for in money. ARMSTRONG AND WHITWORTH GUNS. Mr. H. BAILLIE asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in the competition which had been carried on between Armstrong and Whitworth guns, they have been tested by oblique firing. The Marquis of HARTINGTON said arrangements for firing were left to the committee reporting upon the matter. The experiment to which the hon. member had referred had not yet been tried, but he believe it was about to be made by those in charge of the subject. RECRUITING FOR THE ARMY. Mr. O'REILLY asked the Under -Secretary of State for War whether, since the year 1829, any orders or instruc tions had been given by the military authorities to office] s charged with the duty ofrecruiting, not to take Irish or Roman Catholic recruits for eithe r the Guards, Artillery, Cavalry' or any other branch o f h er Majesty's military serv ice ? The Marquis of ITARTINGTON said no such orders had been issued either from the Horse Guards or the War office. rA TEN TS (IRELAND). Mr. LONGFIELD asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if Mr. Morrin had been empowered, in accordance with the recommendation of the report of Messrs. Brewer and Hardy, to continue the publication of the Patent and Close Rolls of Ireland up to and including those of the reign of James the First. Sir R. PEEL said the hon. gentleman must address the question to the Treasury. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN IRELAND. Mr. D. GRIFFITH asked the Chief Secretary for Ire land whether the attention of the Government had been drawn to a statement made by Mr. Justice Monahan, at the County Down A s.sfres, on Friday, 10th March, that, of certain persons engaged in a party riot on the 10th February, only the Catholics had been prosecuted, and the Protestants allowed to go free ; and. whether the Government would take measures to insure in future that all persons transgressing the law in Ireland, or whatever religious denomination or party, should be rendered equally amenable to the impartial administration of justice. Sir R. Peel and Chief Justice Monaghan had not yet made any report on the matter to the Government. He had made inquiries in the matter, and the committee who had decided the matter was composed of an equal number of Roman Catholics, and Protestants. They were of opinion that there was a case against the Roman Catholics, but not against the Protestants. He did not, at present, think that Chief Justice Monaghan was justified in saying that was any partial administration of justice. (Loud cries of "Hear, hear.") RAILWAY TRAVELLING. Sir W. GALL WEY read an account of an accident that had occurred on one of the principal lines of railways, and asked whether any active steps were about to be taken. by the Government for the purpose of insisting upon a means of communication between the guard and engine driver. Mr. M. GIBSON—He could not tell the hon. gentleman how long they would have to wait before such an arrange ment was perfected. The whole subject was before a commission, and they were taking evidence on the sub ject generally, and until they had made their report, hon. gentlemen must be content to wait. Capt. DlXON—Supposing the committee do not report for the next two years ? Mr. M. GIBSON said he must decline to speculate. The commissioners would make a full inquiry, and for that purpose they would take proper time. THAMES EMBANKMFST. Mr. J. WHITE moved for copies of the correspondence between the Board of Trade and the Metropolitan Board of Works relative to the material used for filling in the Thames Embankment ; and also of the report of Messrs. Coode and Rawlinson thereon to the Board of Trade.— Agreed to. NEW ZEALAND. On the order for going into committee of supply, Sir J. TRELAWNY asked the Colonial Secretary whether • the proclamation made by the Governor of New Zealand in December last, so far as it was favourable to the natives, would be carried out in good faith, or whether the proclaimation was to be afterwards interpreted and acted, upon by the governor himself, as had been done in the case of the treaty of Waitangi, the violation of which by Gover nor Brown was the cause of the unfortunate rebellion which had since broken out. Mr. CARD WELL vindicated the conduct of Governor Brown with regard to the treaty of Waitangi, and observed that he had not the slightest suspicion that the Governor of New Zealand and his Ministers intended any breach of faith, and certainly no instructions would proceedfrom the Colonial-office which would have any tendency of that kind or be conceived in any such spirit. The right hon. gentleman added, in answer to Mr. Lyall and Sir H. Wil loughby, that in the present year there had been a consi derable increase in the contributions of the colony of Mauritius for military expenditure, and that advances by the Treasury to New Zealand ceased in 1863. Mr. TREHERNE called attention to the distressed con dition of his constituents, the ribbon weavers of Coventry, and drew a lamentable picture of the state of the mantfac ture, which ho said had, under the operation of the com mercial treaty with France, been brought to the verge of ruin. He inquired whether any communication had taken place between the British Government and that of France with a view to the modification of the treaty. Mr. WHITE said that one would infer from the speech of his hon. friend that the ribbon trade of France was flourishing at the expense of Coventry, but so far was that from being the case he had lately received information that the manufacturers of St. Etienne were themselves in a de plorable condition. The truth was, that the ribbon trade was peculiarly liable to the caprice of fashion ; and if in stead of appealing to the house his hon. friend could use some occult influence with an illustrious lady in a neigh bouring country, who was the arbitress of fashion through out Europe, we might possibly witness the revival of pros perity in this branch of industry. Mr. GIBSON sympathised with the ribbon weavers, but had no faith in legislation for a remedy of their distress. An application was made to French Government last year with a view to the procuring a reduction of the import duty on English ribbons ; and in reply it was stated that in consequence of the commercial treaty with Switzerland, English ribbons would shortly be admitted into France, under the favoured nation clause, at a reduction in the rate of duty from 8 francs per kilogramme to 4 francs, or to 31 per cent. ad valorem. Some observations on the same subject were also made by Mr. NEWDEGATE and Mr. G. P. BENTINCK. THE SUEZ CANAD. Mr. GRIFFITH, finding that M. Lesseps had given notice of his intention to go on a pilgrimage to the works of the Suez Canal, and invited all Europe to accompany him, wished to know, in the interests of humanity, whether all forced labour on these works had been entirely and finally discontinued. Lord PALMERSTON said that at one time the works were carried on entirely by Egyptian fellahs, who were compelled to labour. But some months ago the Sultan issued a firman forbidding that species of employment in future, and he believed that the firman had been executed and was now in force. The canal company, too, had en deavoured to obtain labour from Morocco and Tunis, and there had been a certain - number of English navvies en gaged. These latter, being dissatisfied, had left, but there was no reason to suppose that forced labour was now being employed in the construction of the canal. • ARMY ESTIMATES. The house then went into committee of supply on the army estimates, Mr. Dodson in the chair. The Marquis of HARTINGTON rose and said—The house has already so fully discussed so many of the subjects connected with the administration of the army, that it will not be necessary for me to trespass for so long a time upon the attention of the committee as I should otherwise have done. We have already had debates upon the subject of recruiting, upon the subject of ordnance, and upon the sub ject of the proposed fortifications of Canada. These three subjects are, perhaps, the most important of those to which it will be my duty to call the attention of the committee this evening. /will not, therefore, detain the committee by making any preliminary observations upon these great ques tions, but will proceed at once to explain to the house the estimates which we have laid upon the table. I will first re mark that some slight changes have been made in the form of the estimates; that, in deference to the opinion of hon. members, we have this year again reverted to the practice of taking in the first vote the number of men. The house will also observe that some charges have been transferred from one vote to another. As some inconvenience may occur to hon. members from that change, I propose to compare the expenditure of this year with the expenditure of former years. I may remark, however, that these charges are made upon the principle of transferring to each vote the charge which really belongs to it, so as to make the head of each department responsible for his own vote to the Secretary of State. The estimate which I have laid on the table this ytar amounts to £14,348,447, showing a reduction upon the estimate of the current year of £495,641. But when we come to compare the estimated charge for army service this year, as against that of last, we shall find a still greater reduction. If we deduct from the gross estimate the re payments to the exchequer for extraordinary service this year, .we shall find that the real charge amounts to £12,645,007, against a similar charge last year of 413,519,648, showing that the total estimated saving this year is £874,639. Though I will not detain the house with any long comparison, I cannot refrain from pointing out the reduction which we have been able to effect since the year 1861-62 the year of highest expenditure upon army service. Although nominally the estimates in the year 1862-63 reached the highest amount, the year 1861-62 was really the year of highest military expenditure, because in that year the charges of the Indian Government appeared in the army l estimates, an d were defrayed by sums paid by the r alu t o he s e, n3st ak oy.e eaTr years. e nThatecomparisonxt year e I reat year the there rhe ll e w co a sm esti mates into niatnh Government instead of b y a cap i tat i on giant paid x 6 n 3 c n h t w eg ed i t u h t e n r ; x ub F l6 s o e , par e 18 am e 62 E 0 - reduction of £591,113. In 1864-65 that reduction had been increased to £1,216,000 ; an d this year the reduction of the estimate over that of 1862-3 amounts to £1,711,903. This i a reduction of nearly£2,ooo,ooo f rom th e year of 8 our highest expenditure. That is not all I should like to mention, for we have now reduced our military expenditure below that of 1859-60, the year before the Government of Europe had been alarmed by the Italian war, and before the feeling became prevalent throughout the country that our defences were not in the state that they ought to be, and before the year in which our armaments had assumed those dimensions which had since been styled in this House "bloated arma ments." In 1859-60 the estimates were prepared by the right hon. and gallant gentleman opposite (General Peel). In that year the estimate for the militia was not included in the army estimates. It is fair therefore to subtract from the army estimates this year the charge for the militia. The estimates in 1859-60 amounted to £12,859,297. General PEEL—That included the militia. The Marquis of HARTINGTON—No, that did not in clude the militia. But that sum was arrived at by deducting from the gross vote the sum of £700,000, which was the amount expected to be received from the Indian Govern ment on account of services rendered to them in prior years. The total amount therefore really estimated to be expended, exclusive of the militia, in 1859-60 was £13,559,297, or £26,250 more than the estimate of this year, after deducting the amount for the militia. Nor is this all, for in the army estimates now appeared charges for depots and other ser vices for the Indian Government, which in 1859-60 were not so apparent. These charges amount this year to the sum of £648,000. Therefore, in addition to the saving which I have shown of £26,250, there is a real saving of £648,000. It must also be remembered that since that time the i Volunt eer force has almost entirely sprung up, involv ng a charge this year of £354,000. There have been several other new charges, some of them on the recommendation of the commission on recruiting. For a sum of £94,500 for a ddi t i onal clothing, issued . on instance, the recommenda tion of the select committee. These facts show that, though the Government have been obliged during the last few years to bring forward very large estimates for army pur poses, we have been working steadily and earnestly in the direction of the reduction of our military expenditure. I now come to the first vote which I shall have to move, viz. the number of men. The total reduction of the force of the army this year will be 4,000 men. I will explain now what has been effected. The reduction in the artillery has been entirely due to a change in the organisation of that force. When the amalgamation of the Royal and Indian artillery was effected it was thought necessary to make a large increase in the depot brigades, for the purpose of meet ing the Indian reliefs. It was impossible very accurately to calcuate what would be the requirements of the service. It has turned out that those requirements were over-esti mated, and that the service can be maintained by depots of smaller dimensions than those which were originally formed. It has been proposed, therefore, and sanctioned by the Commander-in-Chief, to reduce the depot brigades to 16 batteries instead of 20, which will be divided into three divisions instead of four. It is believed that this will be a positive improvement to the efficiency of the artillery, be cause with less number of men, there would be a greater proportion of officers. The reduction in the infantry amounts to a little over 2,000 men. That is caused, in the first instance, by the reduction of one of the West India regiments. This regiment (the Bth) was raised to garrison St. Helena, and to replace the Gold Coast Artillery. Five regiments are under orders to be sent home from New Zealand. There are two battalions additional also return ing from India. The effect of these changes will be to in crease the force at home as follows :—ln 1864-5 the force of infantry at home amounted to 32,500, or, including the India and colonial depots, 43,520 men. For the year en suing the force at home will be 35,700, or, including the India and colonial depots, 45,920. This, of course, does not include the brigade of Guards, amounting to 5,963 men. On the vote for the commissariat I have to men tion that this year, for the first time, the new colonial arrangements have come into operation, by which the whole amount of the colonial allowances are charged against the army estimates. There is, however, a dimi nution in the whole sum of the commissariat, owing to the reduction of the operations in New Zealand, which last year caused a considerable increase in this vote. It is proposed to bring home a considerable force from New Zealand, and it is probable that the remaining troops will be brought into a position nearer a seaport than hitherto, and that the number of troops scattered over the island will be diminished. The diminution that has been shown in the medical staff is caused simply by the reduction of operations in New Zealand, and the cessation of those which were last year carried on on the West Coast of Africa. With regard to the militia, I have only to state that the arrangement I mentioned last year has this year been carried into execu tion. I now come to the subject of our manufacturing esta blishments, which, of course, will include the whole question of our armament, both naval and military. I quite admit that the difficulties surrounding the heavy gun question have not been as yet overcome, and that we have not ad vanced towards its settlement as far as I expected during the course of lastoyear; but, at the same time, I must repeat again what has been to a certain extent contradicted, that no other nation is in a more advanced pogition than we are. The only nation which, under the actual pressure of war, is provided with guns of a large calibre is America. The Americans have resorted to cast-iron guns, a material which we believe to be entirely untrustworthy for such a purpose. The system of construction which we believe to be the best is the coil system, as adopted by Sir W. Arm strong. That system has been adopted by us for the smaller guns, and up to the 100-pounders. As far as the construc tion of the guns is concerned we have had no reason to complain. Both Sir W. Armstrong and the Government have made a series of experiments upon guns constructed upon the coil principle, of a larger • calibre than the 110- pounders. No doubt, as will always happen when an entirely new system is under trial, mistakes may be made. Still, we believe that we now have a 13-inch or 20-ton gun, a 9-inch or 12-ton, and a 6 or 7-inch gun, which are perfectly satisfac tory; and that, if circumstances required, we might quite safely manufacture these guns in large quantities. How ever, there being so much difference of opinion amongst men conversant with the subject, it was thought right about two years ago to single out Mr. Whitworth and Sir William Armstrong, and to give them an opportunity of having their competitive systems tested before a committee. That, no doubt, has delayed for a considerable period the introduction of the heavy gun. The Government would not have been justified in asking the house to vote a large expenditure-for a purpose which the year after might prove to be futile. When the committee was appointed it was the intention of Sir George Lewis that the manufacture of guns of both large and small calibre should be suspended; but the progress of the committee has been so slow that we were unable altogether to suspend our manufacture. The navy required a supply of 70-pounders—now styled 64's — for on board ship. One of the subjects which were under consideration was the system of rifling recommended by Sir William Armstrong, as opposed to Mr. Whitworth's ; but the navy could not wait for the report of the committee, and we were therefore obliged to adopt that which we knew to be a safe and serviceable gun. It was resolved to rifle those 64-pounders upon the Armstrong principle. It is true that we have not made, nor are we making, any guns of a large calibre to store up in reserve ; we are only meet ing the possible requirements of the present year. I quite admit that a reduction of our estimates is not likely to be maintained to any advanced point; for as soon as this great question is finally decided, no doubt it will be necessary for the country to expend a large sum upon the construction of these heavy guns, both for our army, the navy, and the forts. Here I may state that there was considerable exag geration in the estimate of the hon. member for Finsbury (Sir M. Peto) the other evening. The hon. baronet said it would be necessary to expend upon the arming of the forts alone a sum of £17,400,000. Upon a future occasion I shall be able to prove that the sum at the utmost is not likely to exceed £3,000,000. Still £3,000,000 for our forts, in addition to the sums required for the army and the navy, is, no doubt, a very large amount; and I think the committee will be of opinion that we have done right in not going be yond our actual requirements in the present year. I desire here to observe that the ordnance select committee have met with a most unjust amount of blame. They have been blamed for everything that has been done, and for almost everything that has not been done, in the matter of guns. It has been stated they were responsible for the adoption of guns, and that, being inventors themselves, other inventors stood no chance with them. Nay, it was even hinted they would not hesitate to steal the inventions of others. A more unfounded charge could not be made. The Secretary of State was alone responsible for the selection of a new armament, but the select committee and the Commander in-Chief supported the Secretary of State with the practical knowledge which it was impossible for him individually to possess. The committee are not inventors, neither are they allowed to introduce any invention of their own. As to the 110-pounder, the committee had nothing to do with it; it was introduced by the Secretary of State upon the recommendation of Sir William Armstrong. As to the non-introduction of an effective heavy gun, no blare e can properly be laid at the door of the committee. No doubt if it had been open to the committee to have, set aside the rights of inventors, it would have been possible for them by this time to have come to a determination upon the sub ject. But in this country we can only use the inventions of inventors with their consent ; and although the decision in the Court of Queen's Bench the other day points in another direction, I am sure it will never come about in this country that we shall take possession of a man's invention against his will, and without giving him just and proper compensation. There is another subject connected with armaments upon which I must say a few words. Last year Lord De Grey appointed a committee, not of scientific men or inventors, but of officers who had seen service of different kinds, to consider the desirability of arming the troops with muzzle-loaders or breech loading muskets. After hearing some evidence, the com mittee reported unanimously in favour of breech-loaders. Well, we had 800,000 stand of arms in store, and of course the replacement of these became a very serious matter. The first thing to be considered was whether the Enfield might not be temporarily converted into a breech-loader. That would prevent the necessity of rapid action, and give us time for consideration. We issued an invitation to in ventors to come forward, the only condition being that the accuracy of the aim was not to be impaired, and that the alteration was not to exceed in cost £1 per rifle. Forty inventors answered the invitation, and out of these seven or eight were selected. The report of the committee was only received yesterday by Lord De Grey ; and, although I cannot speak confidently, I hope to be able to state, when the vote comes on, that the Enfield rifle can be converted into a breech-loader. The committee have laid down what they consider to be the absolute requisites of the new wea pon ; and we shall at once call for tenders by the manufac turers to produce an arm according to the pattern. Of course, I do not pretend that the Enfield, when converted, will be anything like the best weapon obtainable. It has been already proved that the Enfield large-bore is by no means the best weapon in existence. The new arm will be a small-bore, it will be a breech-loader, and the cartridge wi fi does ca 1l u carryon n o t s . el i x t h s i sat o v w ae n bnr i oe g ed n eo i hu t ot n. awdee A rsh t ea t o h um e ob p bin r t e ain s in e g n su t al m elh o th m ae e wse n e t aci t pu h oa e nl r i e ; but if we can at a reasonable cost convert 50,000 or GO ' 000 or more of the Enfield rifles for the use of th e troops at home, we shall have done all that is necessary to put our selves in a position of safety as regards this point. In con clusion, I hope I may say that both as regards health and discipline the condition of our army leaves nothing to be desired. We have had no great military operations to test the quality either of our officers or our men. Those which have been conducted in New Zealand have shown that in every kind of warfare they have Unproved. Almost all the operations which have been attempted have proved suc cessful ; and though there was one unfortunate reverse, by which we lost a considerable number of men, that repulse shows that the gallantry of our officers is as conspicuou s as ever, and that our men a re as determined as ever to re trieve even disaster. (Hear, hear.) General PEEL, noticing some observations addressed by Mr. Bernal Osborne to his constituents at Liskeard during the autumn, stated that the present Parliament had ex pended upon the naval and military services the enormous sum of £160,808,023, exclusive o f the estimates for the estimates for the present year, the votes of credit for the Chinese war, and the money raised by loa n for the forti.fi- THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, IVIARCH 17, 1865. cations. Much of this had no doubt been rendered neces sary by the reconstruction of the navy and by the outlay upon the dockyards, which was an economical expendi ture. He feared, however, that after reading the debate of the last few days, the public would be disposed to think that, in spite of this vast expenditure, we had not yet built vessels that were fit to go into action, and did not possess guns efficient for the service for which they were required. Indeed, as to guns, it appeared that not only had we not got the best, but the War-office could not make up their minds as to what were the best. He approved of the form in which the estimates were now placed before the house, as a great improvement. With the clear explanation, too, by which the noble marquis had accompanied them, there was little left to be desired. After some remarks from Mr. AYATON and Sir S. NonmeoTE., Sir J. TRELAWNY condemned the appointment of Lord De Ros to the colonelcy of the 4th Hussars in con nection with the office of deputy-lieutenant of the Tower, on the ground that several general officers who had seen active service had been passed over in his favour. Colonel NORTH defended the appointment, and dwelt at some length upon the evils of the enlistment system. Sir F. SMITH said that he had never met with an officer who had devoted his time and attention more assiduously to the cultivation of his profession than Lord De Ros. The discussion of several details, including the subjects of barrack accommodation, regimental depots, and recruit ing was continued by Colonel Dickson, Sir H. Verney, Colonel Sykes, Lord Hotham, and Mr. Watkin. Mr, WALPOLE inquired whether the contemplated withdrawal of five regiments from. New Zealand had re ceived the sanction of General Cameron, and whether in the despatch from the Colonial Office there were any con ditions attached giving the governor or General Cameron, or both, a discretionary power to retain the troops in the colony in case of necessity. Mr. , CARD WELL said the number of soldiers to be re called had not been fixed by General Cameron, but by the Home Government, with the concurrence of Sir G. Grey, and probably his Ministers and the Assembly of New Zealand. The instructions sent out left to General Cameron that reasonable discretion which in case of unforeseen difficulty or danger would be a justification of his retaining the troops in the colony. The Marquis of HARTINGTON having briefly replied, The vote of 142,477 men for the service of the year was agreed to. On the vote of £5,434,567 for general staff regimental pay and allowances, Sir J. TRELAWNY moved to reduce the amount by the sum of £691 19s. 7d., the salary of the major general attached to the Foot Guards ; but on a division the amend ment was negatived by 47 to 27. Progress was then re ported without the vote being agreed to. The Consolidated Fund (£175,650) Bill was read a second time. The Colonial Naval Defence Bill went through com mittee. The other business on the paper was also disposed of ; and the house adjourned at ten minutes before one o'clock. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. CALEDONIAN. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at Glasgow ; Lieut.-Colonel Salkeld in the chair. The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the proprietors on the increas ing revenue of the company, which was owing in a great measure to the new branches recently opened, and the additional facilities afforded for the deve lopment of the traffic. The increased revenue enabled the directors to recommend a dividend for the past half-year at the rate of 71 per cent. per annum, against 6 per cent. per annum for the correspond ing period of the preceding year, showing an in crease of I- per cent. The permanent way was never in better order than at present. When the line was constructed the bridges and viaducts were built of wood, and about seven or eight years ago, from the increased traffic, some of those bridges showed symptoms of weakness and decay, and it was deter mined to rebuild the whole of them with stone and iron, and charge the whole expense to revenue, although the difference in the cost of the old tem porary bridges and the more expensive new ones might have been charged to capital ; but it was re solved to debit each year's revenue with £6,000 for the repairing of bridges until the whole of them were rebuilt and paid for. The bridges had to be rebuilt more rapidly than was originally contem plated, so that there remained a debt in suspense on this account amounting to £32,900, but the directors finding the company in possession of £65,000 realized in premiums on stock sold to the public during the past year, they thought it better to clear off this debt at once`out of that sum. (Hear.) It had been the ob ject of the directors to fill up gradually with branches and extensions the whole of the district served by the Caledonian Railway whenever it seemed profit able to do so, with a view to keep out adventurers or an encroaching neighbour. Owing to the altered relations of the Caledonian, the Edinburgh and Glasgow, and other railway companies, the directors found it their duty to promote bills in Parliament for work that might otherwise have been been spread over the next few years. The first of those bills was for a line from Cleland to Midcalder, which would intersect a most valuable mineral dis trict, teeming with ironstone, coal, and limestone, and in addition to that the shale from which paraffin oil was taken was found. He then explained the objects of a number of other bills now before Par liament promoted by and in connection with the compan y. It was proposed to make a central sta tion in Edinburgh, but that would require careful consideration. The directors had purchased 6 acres of land not yet built upon in the very heart of Glas gow, whichwas a most eligible site for astationthere. Resolutions were passed adopting the report, de claring the dividends recommended therein, includ ing one at the rate of 7+ per cent, per annum on the ordinary stock, re-electing the retiring auditor, and concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. EDINBURGH AND GLASGO W. The half -yearly meeting of this company was held on Tuesday at Glasgow ; Mr. P. Blackburn in the chair. Mr. Latham, the manager, having read the notice convening the meeting, the report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said he thought the reduction in the rates between Edinburgh and Glasgow fully accounted for the reduction in the revenue forpassenger traffic. The goods traffic had gone on increasing in a satis factory manner, and there remained a net balance of increase in the receipts of £15,593 as compared with the corresponding period of the preceding year. The working expenses had also increased. The item for maintenance of way was large, but any one who had travelled over the line from Edinburgh to Glasgow or to Dumbartonshire would admit that the line was in remarkably good order. The net revenue would produce a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the ordinary stock. It had takenthem along time to arrive at that point, and he hoped they would be able to maintain it. (Hear.) He did not think that the shareholders would have any cause to complain if the dividend should be kept up to that amount. There was an immense amount of railway business before Parliament, and they had contributed their share. They were carrying out a working agreement with the North British Railway Company, and had introduced a Bill to enable them to do so by Parliamentary sanction. They were also in conjunction with the North British Company pro moting a Bill to enable them to make a bridge over the Forth. It would, no doubt, be a very large en gineering work, but one, if completed for the esti mated amount, would be well worth the money. Their share of the expensewould be about 1250,000. They would have to oppose the Bill forthe amalgamation of the Caledonian and Scottish Central Railway Com panies. This was a scheme which was unanimouslyre jected some years ago by a very able committee of the House of Commons, it being considered not for the advantage of the public. He did not think that the circumstances had in any respect changed since that time. He believed that more than four-fifths of the passenger traffic of the Scottish Central passed naturally by the Edinburgh and Glasgow line to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and it would be very in convenient to the public to be handed over to the Caledonian. They must also oppose a new line pro moted by the Caledonian Company, the alleged purpose of which was the shortening of the distance between Glasgow and Edinburgh by that company's existing route, and which was quite unnecessary. Mr. H. DUNLOP seconded the motion for the adoption of the report. In reply to questions it was stated that the esti mated cost of the bridge across the Forth was £650,000 altogether, of which their share would be £254,000, and that there was every intention on their part of carrying out faithfully the agree ment made with the North British Railway Com pany. Resolutions were passed adopting the report, de claring the dividends on the preference stocks, and also at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum on the ordinary stock of the company. The retiring direc tors and auditor were re-elected, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings, CALCUTTA AND SOUTH-EASTERN. A special meeting of this company was held at the offices, Gresham-house, Old Broad-street, for the purpose of considering, and if approved, con firming, the special resolutions passed at the extra ordinary general meeting of the 16th ult. ; Mr. J. Boris° daile in the chair. The resolutions in question authorised the direc tors to borrow on debentures further sums not exceed ing £lOO,OOO, at a rate of interest not exceeding 5 per cent. per annum, for five years, and to be renewable for a like period at the option of the holders ; and the latter were to be allowed to convert the debentures into shares or stock at any time before they became due on giving one month's notice of their intention of doing so. The resolutions were formally confirmed. The CHAIRMAN said that when they last met he mentioned that an important company was being formed, from which the Calcutta and South-Eastern were likely to receive considerable benefit. That undertaking, the Port Canning and Land Invest ment Reclamation and .Dock Company, had been brought out with success. The capital was £l,OOO, 000, and the shares were now at a very high premium. It was supported by a great manyhouses in Calcutta, and by a very pc;werful Bombay interest ; and as its objects were to construct works which must neces sarily contribute largely to the traffic of the Calcutta and South-Eastern line, he thought the shareholders of the latter company might congratulate them selves upon the formation of the new undertaking. (Hear.) The public in Calcutta had formerly a strong feeling against the company's railway ; but he was happy to say that the feeling was now as strongly in favour of it. A vote of thanks to the chairman and directors concluded the proceedings. RAILWAY BILLS. Yesterday the Lords' Committee passed the Laun ceston, Bodmin, and Wadebridge Junction Bill, which was erroneously stated the day before as having been rejected. In the House of Commons the promoters' case of the London, Brighton, and South Coast (St. Leonard's line and deviations) was commenced. The Barnet, Hendon, Hampstead, and London was opened by Mr. Rodwell, Q.C., and evidence taken. Mr. Phinn, Q.C., opened the case of the London and South:Western (Kensington, &c.) Mr. Venables, Q.C., opened the promoter's case of the Okehampton Railway (No. 2) Bill. In the case of the Whitehaven and Furness Junction evidence was taken, and also in the case of the Bedford, North ampton and Weedon, and the Crofthead and Kil marnock Extension. The referees took into consi deration the North Surrey and the East London Railway Bills. Fire In surance Duty. In compliance with a very numerously-signed requisition the Lord Mayor convened a meeting, which was held in the Council Chamber of the Guildhall yesterday, at two o'clock, for the purpose of urging upon the Legislature the desirability of extending to all classes of insurable pro perty the reduction of the duty to is. 6d. per cent. as made upon stock-in-trade in the last session of Parliament. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor took the chair, and there was a very numerous attendance. His LORDSHIP expressed his concurrence with the object of the meeting, and thought that as the country was in such a prosperous financial condition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer could not do better than propose a reduction of the duty from 3s. per cent. to is. 6d., if it could not be re moved altogether. This was really a tax upon prudence, and, therefore, Ought especially to be repealed or reduced (Hear, hear.) Mr. Aldeman GIBBONS thought that they could not over estimate the importance of getting a reduction of this tax, because a very large proportion of the community held back from insuring in consequence of the excessive charges which were made by Government. He hoped that the expression of opinion of that meeting would draw' the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the necessity of reducing the present high rate of three shil lings—(hear)—if it were not altogether abolished. The resolution which he had to propose was : " That in the opinion of the meeting the duty chargeable on fire insur ances amounts to a tax upon prudence. That it prevents insurance,and ought to be forthwith materially reduced or wholly repealed." Mr. FAGAN, late Mayor of Rochdale, seconded the reso lution. Mr. CRA.WFORD, M.P., said that he had come there partly because he considered it his duty to be present on such oc casions, and especially those which were of an economical character. (Hear.) But he was not there to take part in the discussion ; and this perhaps was the more unnecessary because the votes which he had given in Parliament were sufficient to convince them that he was entirely favourable to the principle which the resolution involved. Having said this much, he wished to guard himself against giving an absolute assent to any proposal before the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought in his budget, which he sup posed he would do pn the 27th of next month. However much he might agree with abstract principles, it would be a matter of imprudence to bind himself to rote contrary to any just propositions on the part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. His own feelings were en tirely in favour of a considerable reduction of the duty, and he should be prepared in his proper place in the House of Commons to give any proposition made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer the best consideration. He should now sufficiently discharge his duty if he expressed a sincere hope that there would be a reduction of the duty, as he thought the House of Commons ought to well weigh the claims the public had upon it for relief from the present high duty. Mr. Alderman DAKIN moved " That this meeting, whilst it thankfully acknowledges the value of the reduction made last session in the duty payable on the insurance of stock in -trade, believes that if that reduction had been made to apply to all descriptions of insurable property, it would not only have given greater satisfaction to the public, but would have yielded a larger return to the revenue." As a proof that high Government duties had considerably interfered with the revenue which was derived from insurance duties, he would mention that in 1782 the duty was first charged, and was fixed at ls. 6d. The stamp duty on policies was 6s for sums under £l,OOO, and 11s. for sums exceeding that amount. The consequence was that in 1783 the amount assured, £173,333,000, gradually decreased at the rate of £13,520,000 per annum, until in 1786 the amount assured was reduced to £132,750,000. In 1789 the charge on policies was lowered to 3s. and 6s. respectively. The amount in creased at the rate of £5,556,000, until in 1796 it was £188,333,000. In 1797 the percentage was increased fromis. 6d. to 2s, and the amount assured fell to £181,500,000. In 1804 the sum had risen to £238,000,000, when the duty was increased to 2s 6d ; but the stamp policy was reduced to ls. The sum assured increased year by year until 1815, whenit was £387,250,000. This year the percentage was increased as a war tax to 3g., and for the next three years there was a falling off of nearly £7,000,000 per year. In 1834 farm stock was exempted, and there was an increase at the rate of £17,185,000 per annum. In 1835 the sum assured was £521,150,736, and in 1855 £846,859,976. He therefore ccntended that it was evident that, as the rate was in creased, so the amount assured diminished; and as it was reduced, so it increased. Mr. ALcBoFT seconded the proposition. Mr. LocxE, M.P., referred to his votes in the House of Commons in support of the fact that he was in favour of a reduction of the duty. This was a matter which very nearly concerned his constituents, as a vast amount of the property in Southwark consisted of small dwellings. It was clear that this was a tax upon prudence. Mr. Glad stone had often proved that by a reduction of a duty the revenue did not lose the amount of the reduction, but very frequently that the diminution of a tax was the cause of its being recouped even to a larger extent. He (the hon. member) did not see why that should not be 'the case with the insurance duties. (Cheers.) Mr. G. BROOKE proposed, as an amendment, " That in future the duties on all fire insurances be a uniform rate o f ls. per £lOO, an d th a t no d uty s h ould b e charge d upon insurances for a less sum than £50." Alderman DAKIN thought the object of this was con tained in the first resolution, but Mr. Brooke dissented. However, as the amendment was not seconded, it fell through, and the resolution was carried. Mr. WALKER moved, and Alderman J. LAWRENCE seconded, "That, in the opinion of this meeting, the reso lutions already passed in the House of Commons point to and require a larger and more general reduction of this duty than has yet been made ; and that a petition be signed by the chairman, urging upon the legislature the desira bility of extending to all descriptions of insurable property the reduction of the duty to is. 6d. per cent., as made upon stock-in -trade in the last session of Parliament ;" which was likewise agreed to. Mr. HARVEY LEWIS, M.P., in proposing a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor for kindly granting the use of the Guildhall, and for presiding, said he regarded the tax as injurious to tradesmen, unjust to individuals, and oppressive to the poor. Nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see its total abolition ; at the same time he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would take the past opinion of the House of Commons into his consideration, and also that of this meeting. The motion having been seconded was carried with ap plause ; and his lordship having briefly expressed his thanks, the meeting separated. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. -----r►---- TIMES.—For the first time since the days of General Jackson's immense popularity an American President has been inaugurated for the second time. The cir cumstances wider which Mr. Lincoln assumes office for another term of four years are so strange and im pressive that they may justify an address full of a kind of Cromwellian diction and breathing a spirit very different from the usual unearnest utterances of successful politicians. This short inaugural speech reveals the disposition and the opinion of the Fede ral Magistrate more completely than many of the verbose compositions which have proceeded from his predecessors. We cannot but see that the President, placed in the most important position to which a statesman can aspire, invested with a power greater than that of most monarchs, fulfils the duties which destiny has imposed on him with firmness and con scientiousness, but without any feeling of exhilara tion at success or sanguine anticipation of coming prosperity. The brief allusion to the expectations of the two parties during the early days of the war shows what is passing through the mind of the Chief Magistrate when he looks back to four years of slaugh ter, and turns round to gaze into the black darkness which shrouds the future. All dreaded the war, all sought to avoid it. Wh en th e l as t inaugural address was delivered Secession was but half accomplished. Virginian officers attended President Lincoln for two months after his installation, and many of them left the Federal capital w ith unwilling hearts to fight in the cause to which they felt themselves bound. This war was not a thing that came suddenly or without deliberation. Everything that could be said for it or against it was freely uttered before the first great armies were in the field. President Buchanan thought it impossible to restrain the action of a State. On the other hand, there had never been wanting men who told the North that they must keep no terms with slaveowners and traitors. The mass of the people went into war unwillingly, and yet with but little know ledge of what was before them. "Neither party, " says Mr. Lincoln, " expected the magnitude or duration which it has already attained ; neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph and a result less fundamental and astonishing." Mr. Lincoln anticipates that this re sult will be in favour of his section of the Union, but, warned by experience, he does not venture to predict an early term for the great settlement. In his Message of a few months since he gave his opi nion that the war would last at least as long as Mr. Jefferson Davis remained at the head of the South ern people. This opinion, so far from being changed by the successes the Federals have since gained, is expressed even in stronger terms on the present occasion. In a tone of mingled resolution and de spondency he prays that the scourge of war may pass away, but professes himself resigned to the in fliction of the present evils " until the wealth piled by bondsmen during 250 years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword." Such language is not unbecoming a man who has been continued in power avowedly that he may persist in a devastating war. Mr. Lin coln has no doubt made up his mind to carry through to the letter the policy which has been indicated.in his Proclamations and Messages. For this he laboured during his first term of office ; for this, in the worst days of Federal ill success, he issued his decree for the abolition of slavery. It was in con sequence of his steadfastness on those points that he was re-elected by a great majority, and he could not, if he would, shrink from doing all that he has promised, and which his party expect.. But even after fortune has favoured the Northern arms so abundantly and continuously the President abstains from any of those predictions which were rife in the early part of the war. He knows too well the diffi - culties. of the task which still lies before his Govern ment, he thinks of the armies which must be kept up, the debts that must be incurred, the derange ment of political and social relations which must be endured before the States of the old Union return to their former condition. His address appears to be intended to repress the more sanguine expecta tions of the Northern people, and to intimate to them that fresh exertions and sacrifices will be necessary for the attainment of their object. The re-action caused by disappointed hope is often dan gerous, and if the Federals should imagine that the present summer will bring the end of the war, and should then be deceived in their expectations, a feel ing of discouragement akin to that of last autumn might possibly supervene. Mr. Lincoln, therefore, like a prudent statesman, conceals his own hopes, if he cherishes any, and bids the people, in effect, to make up their minds for another considerable term of fighting. The events on which the Presi dent's address is a comment fully justify his cautious tone. The general superiority of the Federals is unquestionable, but it is also plain that the Con federate spirit is not broken, and that Government and people are preparing with energy for another campaign. The chief interest centres, of course, in General Sherman. This adventurous General is in command of a large force, and his field of opera tions is at present in the north-eastern angle of South Carolina and the adjacent country of North Caro lina. It would be useless with the mere fragmentary information we possess to speculate in any way on the movements of the campaign • but there can be little doubt.that the obj ec t o f General Sherman is to penetrate into the latter State, and seize the city of Raleigh, from which runs a railroad to Richmond. By this means he would be able to interrupt very effectually the communications of General Lee with the country south of his position. It may be that Sherman actually meditates a march on Richmond itself, and expects to appear before the Confederate capital to co-operate with General Grant for its reduction. Whatever his plans, the Confederates seem at least to have taken some steps to check him. As the seat of war is brought nearer the centre of the Confederacy, there is a greater vitality in the mi litary administration, and apparently a better spirit among soldiers and people. It is, no doubt, an error to estimate the army of General Johnson at between 60,000 and 80,000 men, for in all probability the Confederacy has not the means of bringing together such a force in districts that have been so de populated by the war. But the re-appointment of Johnson, who, rightly or wrongly, is very popular among the Southern armies, may well have given new courage to the Carolinians, and enabled them, with the aid of some reinforcements from Lee, to put a respectable force in front of the Federal com mander. The battle which is reported to have been fought seems to have ended in the taking up by Johnson of a defensive position, which Sherman must drive him from before he is able to continue his victorious advance. Success may, indeed, again attend Sherman ; the chances are in favour of him, for his men are veterans and elated by former victory, but his passage through the state of North Carolina will probably not be so easy as the march through Georgia. The appointment of General Lee to the command-in-chief, though it may not add to the strength of the Confederacy, or much alter strategical plans, has had the effect of renewing the spirit of the people to a great extent, and one of the most wonderful things in this unexampled contest is the buoyancy with which the Confederates seem to contemplate their position. It may be that, heated by the contest, they do not perceive how much they have lost and are losing ; but, whether they judge rightly or not, they have at any rate come to the conclusion that the time for yielding has not arrived. As a proof of the tenacity of pur pose which prevails in the Southern councils, it may be mentioned that the arming of the negroes is once more proposed, and has been apparently resolved on. It is said that a bill has passed the Confederate House of Representatives, in secret Session, autho rising the arming of negroes tendered by owners, and also authorising the President to call upon each State, whenever expedient, for a quota of 300,000 troops, irrespective of colour. There is much dif ference, of course, between voting men and having them actually under arms, but if the Confederacy really go so far as to recognise the principle of negro service, with its necessary emancipation and pecuniary reward, it will show a fixedness of pur pose which may result in the protraction of the war, even if it do not influence its event. At all events this new policy can only hasten that destruction of negro slavery which will be the chief social result of the war. The words of President Lincoln may soon be realised, that " the cause of the conflict may cease even before the conflict itself shall cease." POST.--The general statement with which the Marquis of Hartington last evening introduced the army estimates for the forthcoming year must be regarded on the whole as satisfactory. Like those m the navy estimates the votes show in the aggre gate a substantial decrease on those of the past year, without any corresponding diminution in the efficiency of the service. The total amount voted for the army in 1864-65 was £14,844,088, whereas the estimated expenditure for 1865-66 is set down at £14,348,447. This decrease of close on £500,000 becomes, however, more considerable by an esti mated excess in the receipts of the forthcoming year of £379,000 over those of the past one. The total diminution of the charge for the military establish ment consequently amounts to about £875,000 for the year on which we are about to enter, An annual expenditure of upwards of /14,000,000 for . the military service of a country which not only .en.joys profound peace but entertains no aggressive designs,: is, however, an outlay which may well excite a . h°l 3 : that retrenchment has not reached its ultimate limits. It must not be forgotten that, notwith standing the interest of the national debt and charges on the Consolidated Fund amount annually to about £28,000,000, no less than £25,000,000 were Pa id du ring the past year out of a total nat i ona l expen" . diture of £67,000,000, for the support of the arlq and navy. It is, however, unquestionably true tha_ proportionately to the population, and above all, W .. the national . wealth of Great Britain and her depo_ dencies, her armaments cannot be regarded either as excessive or extravagantly costly when coulff „ e , .with . those of other countries. We claim, anuLt insist on maintaining the supremacy of the sees , as Mr. Bright suggests, from-notions of vanitYi because .. from our insular character, and the corg o , rative insignificance in territorial extent of our k ing dom, our national independence rests exclusively (?), the superiority of our navy. The standing arva ti o can scarcely be considered unnecessarily dared when when . we recollect that but one out of one hunur io and ninety-five inhabitants is a soldier, where as j a some States the proportion is one in sixtY.' 0 . France . it is one in ninety-three, and in Prussia one in eighty-nine ; and with the exception of Portlig where . the proportion of the army to the popula tle is as one to two hundred and twenty-four, the re is no European State in which the standing al . '? Y it; proportionately to the people which supplies it, smaller than our own. Although therefore the aso nual vote is considerable, it cannot be regarded as preposterously large, as Mr. Bright and Mr. 1 1,7, e , would have the taxpayers of this country to b. e r.,` t io The first vote on the estimates, and that whic e Under-Secretary for War submitted to the P•°. d .. a . t the conclusion of his statement, is that pri o r mg for the numerical strength of the arnica the ensuing year. The entire strength last _ l l.' be was 146,766 men, whereas for next year it Nvn lie 142,477, showing a decrease of 4,289. 9, ra i s h native Indian troops employed by the 1- 01 Government, only 178 will be retained of the I,A, for whom a vote was taken this time twelvem e llZ; and consequently the total reduction of the ef fev ;ill strength of the army at home and abroad 0, amount to upwards of 5,500 men. The general l is t dition of affairs now is so little different fro m d e d of a year ago, that the reduction may be regar, as considerable, whilst the more peaceful asP e nbo what is termed the political horizon will preve u " Th rbt more cautious from objecting to what they Aeon an unwise reduction of our military stre u l r a The army estimates, unlike those for the navy , °Lit/ to the Minister who explains them less oPPn rt ' - biS for exhibiting striking changes, or of interestngro, hearers by pointing to work done or work . i be gress. The navy is in process of conversion, an n t most effective portion of Lord C. Paget 's re i ; ez i statement referred to the progress which lia cl ,, v of made during the past 12 months. The arTh. c ee Great Britain since its amalgamation with the f . e agy , employed . by the East India Company has prat as the remained unchanged. But, although as regar°, s t i o o regular forces there is but little in contenir'a the which . merits particular notice, the votes O r t io auxiliary forces cannot fail to attract the atteilos of the House of Commons and of the count i t . c bea auxiliary forces are composed of the 6 ' 5°1 7.011 5a militia, yeomanry, volunteers, and the ell - thr ee pensioners ;• • and it is observable that the ho es.; former votes show an estimated increase, s c " t ioo, those for the regular forces, without any ac e l ) osi cY exhibit a reduction. In other words, the tend tioti of past years has been to strengthen that .phoi of the military resources of the country wil le only be called into operation in the even t °f the and by this means to provide for the securi t y "66- State without depriving it of the services of I.!bacc zens in their civilian capacity. The volunte e r s The become more than ever a national institution• is set vote for the ensuing year for their supp ort ' too down at £334,900, showing an excess of mor a dds' £6,000 on that of the preceding one ; but this 40a tional item which the establishment of the Tuthaa teens has given to the army estimates is ,? re w biell compensated by the sense of security with te as their existence inspires the nation. The celurtost of are provided with arms and ammunition the cores. which is included in the vote for milita r y s l ec i in One-half of the amount of the vote is exPe ll c,,,ai the form of capitation grants. The sanitarf eci has tion of her Majesty's forces at home and abre. Past shown a progressive improvement during few years, a fact which is attributable to the heater attention which has been of late paid to the . we d wants and comforts of the men, and to the ineT e ied efficiency of the medical department. The w re 0 0 0 policy pursued by the authorities at the IN ire' towards the medical officers, and which we P7 O Oll quent . . occasion to censure, had the effect 1 1 °'). re iii of . driving many excellent men from the ser vi i i ats disgust, but of deterring the better class of qu-"eca from seeking to fill the places which were ~ Ll 7 ,,,hich cated. There is perhaps no army in the w0r1_. 4 % - e ted reckons amongst its medical staff better o ' 4- w ho or more efficient men than our own- - n on the work more diligently, or who deserve better a it theln' rit io . hands of the Government which employs is to be regretted, therefore, that the a.u.th°_ men should not take some little on whose to whom they owe so much, and ent the ' - o t and diligence in their special departr a It would 23 ciency of the army mainly depenc lB . h Arlo e to be necessary for the Director-General o . f t _ en Medical Board to advertise for medical ' as be pains to conciliatae,of undertake the duty of acting assistant - s ur g e° and those in whose name he acts would acce pting araP the medical profession understand that, in .;or the commission of an army surgeon, of L it : treat' bers will not be the less entitled to clop t ° ment of a gentleman. COUNTRY MARKETS• BIRMINGHAM—TRuRsDAY. 4ortf At this day's market the supply of whea4. . was want which realised last week's rates. Fine barley j3easo(l; other kinds no cheaper. Oats tending urr ars. 363 firm. Peas inquired for. re 13 ., Currencies :—English wheat, white, 40 $ t4° ; p e r to 41s per 36 stone. Malting barley, 28s to 34a ; t g o P 22s to 25s per qr. Oats, 24s to 30s ; Irish, 19s per 30 stone. Beans, 38s to 42s ; and peas, 3 8 s to 09 r BURY ST. EDMUND'S—WEDYBs 9 „fSe 3 "iIes• This market to-day was thinly supplied it's P - fos, farmers were enabled to obtain fully last we O s a ts, be - Barley was in fair supply at last week's rates. ist i e p 3 and peas were quite as dear. 80; Talavera wheat, 44s to 48s; red ditto, 35s te 3 0 32s to 358; secondary ditto, 28s to 30s per qr. , Averages :—Wheat, 796 qrs., 36s 7d ; I°ll°' qrs., 29s Od; oats, 85 qrs., 23s 3d. arP t MANCHESTER—TmunsDAY• O ur vao There was a more numerous attendance at n - 0 1:01: e 0 this morning. For English wheat rather ro r ,, s l a st ti l er , generally demanded, but in the sales effected„to; rates could not be exceeded. Foreign 1d pe r e s : 0 510'" but demand limited. For flour late prices w ar ' j3eao s buyers held back. Oats and oatmeal steady.,,.. changed. Indian corn was 3d to 6d per qr. de ' EDINBURGH—WEDNEsnAY., 6d et A d' At our market there was a large suPPI to .`" wheat, which sold fairly, and prices Were vance on the rates of last week. Os(1 0 8a d o yen' Wheat on the top, 2s Od up average, 2d Os a up Barley on the top, is Od up average/ OS d Oats on the top, 2s Od up averageng 6 Beans on the top, is Od down average , "- Average prices Wheat, 36s 2d I Oats, • ... 21s 031 qtr Barley, 26s Od I Bean ... :__....... .. 3 68 46 *-- a; cP- a Town-made flour sells as follows . 13' .. Wn itm 'A -- a ° superfine, 348 6d ; superfine, 33s ; fine, 31s 6 -* o Total supply and sales. ~i SO, Wheat sol , - o p 1351 qrs ....... .. ... 0 0 ' 9 Barley 1996 qr s ...... . ..... 5,..0 15 Oats GLASGOW- 28 W 4 2670 qra ......... ... u Beans e" This day's market ED ~ c o. t og was tolerably well atv , n ee ser; i - A u was rather more • ' inquired after, and sligbal uti.,„rosulliitil barrel flour realised full prices. French, "" c hang e 's p er home-made unaltered. Spring corn without c l3s° 10 I to the exception of 2641 b. seed oats, which improved 6cl ASTON.—On the 10th inst., at Clapham, the o if Bo A os s E t 7.— , EOscin"oWif e 41 13i : the f a l4 d t a h u in gli s ßt t eir , r. a7HadleY , lliddief°l thee 4 Captain Henry W. Briscoe,. .' of Charles Boosey, Esq .of daughter BRISCOE.—On the 15th inst at Shooters-11°,14.a Aillif o f a dal' , gn,;oeoP cirias..s.v..A..v....•. !sold 263 HILL.—On the 12th inst., at 7,aßll.AaMil' toulP; 11° °if° the wife of Sir John Hill, Bart., of a daug , - - r ' I.lot!' 4 ' Marriages goo , tit o l AMES—FILLINGIIAIII.--On the 14th inst., at SY i e r to Le 0 Frederick Ames, Esq P.C.O. Rifle Briga,era, P c i l eldest daughter of the'late George Fillingo fir. Syerston. gortlAi e lr' P ° TAYLER—COOPER.—On the 14th inst., at __, Voll -old Henry Taylor, of Belgrave-street, to 3 1 ,, 1 ", 31 1,11. Come, only daughter of John Cooper, Esq Villa, Mortlake. COLLIER.—On the 15thDienatt,h lid .„,. V il ' at s vv.:Lai:oo,76st°- ' Ch r, Collier, Esq., of New Broad-street , Etisc a ' DCHEuosiTEE.inst., Gloti e a Esq., of 11, Staple-inn, aged 74. Cour t, • a — n. o — n O t n he the 14th at Islington, co , IGth inst., at Tortes o f -, p ow, tershire, Elizabeth, Dowager Countess el Gror H. FALCON.AR.—On the 16th inst., at 7, viriltun'streedesB•oot, venor-place, Christie Innes Faiconar, Escl', aced The HILL.— , LOonutghhebolr6othugihn,sta.g, eHarcourt Jo, BK . ' - ter wood, Robert MA the 15th inst., a st. sob:: .6.ll.4s : iiii Masters, Esq., aged 72. I °' -- London :Printed and Published by WiTal d 0 . Ol of No. 112, Strand, Pi inte r, at TOE b t he Co Strand, in the Precinct o f the SaVOY, la Middlesea.—Friday, March 17, lea /~