The Sun. — London, England, 1865-04-18 00:00:00

The Grand Volunteer Review at Brighton. Brighton Downs have once more been chosen as the mustering place of the Volunteers, and the Easter Review, the most important of the whole year, has again been attended with complete suc cess. The Volunteers under arms exceeded 20,000, and therefore surpassed in number the attendance on any previous occasion ; the interest shown by the spectators was not less vivid. The weather was fine and bright, without sultriness, and the evolu tions, upon a grander scale than any previously attempted, were faithfully carried into execution. The result is one upon which the nation as well as the Volunteers may fairly indulge feelings of grati fication, for on all hands it was admitted that the Easter Review of 1865 must be accepted as an im portant test. From the very outset of the move ment, there have never been wanting men who, if they did not actually attempt to cry it down, insi nuated their belief pretty plainly that it could not last, having about it none of the elements of stabi lity. They believed, and avowed their belief, that " the novelty of the thing would soon wear off," that " a trip to Brighton was all very well for once, but that Volunteers would never let themselves be brought a second time a journey of 100 miles to add to the fatigue of a long field day." The perseverance and honest affection of the Volunteers for the service disappointed all these ex pectations ; but there remained one consideration which even the friends of the movement could not be blind to. In the course of four or five years the uni forms of all those attending drill with anything like regularity—the most valuable members, therefore, of the force--would naturally become worn out; and hence the ticklish question—how far the inclination, or, grantin g the inclination, how far the means to renew these uniforms existed? If, then, any sen sible falling of in the numbers were visible at the Review of 1865 the fact, though deeply to be re gretted, would carry with it its own explanation. If, on the other hand, the different corps presented an unbroken front, this would show that they had taken a new lease of existence unaffected by the pecuniary difficulty. To all forebodings connected with the Volunteer system, the recent statement by the Under-Secretary for War, in his place in Parlia ment, that the Volunteer force is gaining, both in number and efficiency, followed by the magnificent display of yesterday, affords a complete and con clusive answer. Apart from the pleasure inherent in a military spectaele, whether as it affects the actors or spectators, these Easter Monday gather ings have acquired an importance to which the term " National " may be applied, and yesterday's was the worthiest demonstration in the series. No doubt could remain on the mind of any one who looked carefully at the proceedings, that the Volunteers and the people of Brighton were heartily glad to meet again. The excursion to Guildford and Farley-heath showed the Volunteers more clealy, perhaps, than they had ever before ad mitted to themselves, the:unparalleled advantages which Brighton combines in its extent of house and hotel accommodation ; in its easy access to exer cising grounds, practically endless ; last, though not least, in its prestige as a watering-place. The re sidents on their part learned from the same visit to Guildford, and from the discussions about Dover, the useful lesson that Volunteers at easter are something more than quarry to be flown at. And ac cordingly, they set about preparing for their recep tion in a worthy spirit. A guarantee fund of over £l,OOO was raised to cover apprehended damage to • crops and other expenses ; a creditable prize com petition was organised ; and measures were taken to guard, as far as circumstances rendered this feasible, against the levying of excessive charges upon visitors. 'These generous dispositions on the part of the townspeople, coupled with the liberal arrange ments made by the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway, tempted numbers, who might otherwise not have entertained the notion, to pro ceed to Brighton on or before Good Friday ; and as the rising of Parliament is always the signal for the flocking to Brighton of a large section of the fashionable world, it follows that on Sunday the scene which the town presented was of the most ani mated character, second only to that seen yesterday, when the chain of enclosures and principal thorough fares became radiant with uniforms and resonant with martial music. To enter into details of the notables present in a place like Brighton, more espe cially, would involve the reproduction of whole pages out of the Court Guide. It will be sufficient to indicate one or two features more immediately connected with the subject in hand. According to invariable custom, the Civil Service Corps established their mess in Brighton on the Saturday previous to the review, fixing their headquarters at the Albion. Some of their old fellow travellers, the Artists, ac companied them, but to all intents and purposesthe mess was a regimental one, under the presidency of the Lieutenant-Colonel, Lord Bury. The practice of living together when on actual service is one that in this regiment has always been attended with sig nal benefit, the rule being that the privileges af forded shall be open to any member of the regiment who chooses to put down his name in proper time, irrespective of rank—a regulation of peculiar value in bodies constituted like the Volunteers, but inju diciously lost sight of in one or two cases, where attempts have been made to found a mess exclu sively for officers. In their quartermasters past and present, and in the co-operation at Brighton of M. Dubois, the Civil Service undoubtedly enjoy peculiar advantages, but at the same time it is surprising that the example set by them has not been more largely followed. The London Scottish, who have the ties of country and of elan ship to supplement the mere Volunteer feeling, do, indeed, possess an organisation somewhat analogous in character. But among regiments where the mess table as an institution might be expected to take root and flourish—in the Inns of Court, for in stance, with all its valuable experiences of circuit— the attempt, if made, does not appear to have proved successful. The Ist Middlesex Artillery, commanded by Colonel Creed, exhibited in a re markable manner this internal good fellowship and the high soldierly qualities which it fosters. Leav i ng London on Thursday afternoon, they marched down by road the entire distance to Brighton, taking with them their lighter pieces of ordnance, halting on Good Friday during the hours of Divine service, and passing two nights upon the road. On approaching their destination they were met by a detachment of the Ist Sussex Artillery Volunteers, which, with the band of that regiment, went out to meet and give them welcome. Amidst the cordial cheering of the spectators, the latter ac companied them to the quarters they were to occupy during their stay in the town ; immediately these were reached the Ist Middlesex posted sentries over their guns and ammunition, maintaining watch and ward with the same regularity at night as during the day. As many as 20 special Volunteer trains were despatched from the metropolis on this occa sion by the London, Brighton, and South :Coast Railway before breakfast hour in the morning. Of these 11 started from London-bridge, six from Victoria station, two from Clapham Junction, and one from Kensington. Most of them did the entire journey in under two hours, and one performed it in an hour and a half from London-bridge. The first of the specials left London-bridge at 5.29 a.m., carrying the Inns of Court Volun teers, the 2d City, the 3d City, the 2Gth Mid dlesex, and the 9th Tower Hamlets. These re •gl ments reached Brighton at 6 59 a . m., and in less than five minutes afterwards were on their way to their encampments in the neighbourhood of the Pavilion. The scene at the sidings as the trains carrying the various regiments arrived in rapid succession wa s an extremely interesting one. Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. W. J. Colville, one of the Assistant-Inspec tors of Volunteers, received each regiment as it arrived, and at once communicated to the command ing officer the route which the corps was to take. The troops then rapidly descended from the car riages, and, headed by their bands, drew up in marching order between the train and the carriage shed, which is about 300 yards from the station. Thus, amid the screaming of engines and the in coming and outgoing of the trains carrying the or dinary traffic of the company,:thousands of Volun teers were formed on the line and passed out through the Montpelier -gate in as good order as if they were just emerging from headquarters. A splendid reception was given to the troops as they marched from the railway to their place of tem porary encampment in the enclosures fruiting the Pavilion and the terraces on a line with that build ing. Montpellier-road, Rose-hill-t:rrace, and the other thoroughfares through which they passed were lined with men, women, and children, and, early as the hour was, the windows of every house on the route were filled with ladies who waved their hand- kerchiefs, and otherwise testified their pleasure upon seeing the London Volunteers once again on their way to Brighton Downs. From several of the housetops flags floated over the heads of the march ing regiments, and each fresh arrival was the signal for a renewal of the cheering by the dense crowds who stood along the footpaths. By 9 o'clock most of the corps had piled arms in the enclosure, where they were to rest until 11, when a signal-gun was to give them notice that the time had come for renewing the march to the re view ground. This plan of halting the Volunteers on their march from the railway to the field of operations, and giving them an opportunity of pre paring and partaking of a meal while resting for an hour or two, is an excellent one. The whole of the French army is regularly trained to a somewhat similar system. Even in towns where only one regiment is stationed, it is customary to march the men once or twice a week to a distance from their quarters. The trumpet for dinner is sounded while they are passing through some field, or along the high road ; viands, plates, and knives and forks are produced from the knapsacks in a few seconds, and the soldiers make themselves very comfortable over a dinner served up in this rough and ready fashion. On the occasion of the entry of Queen Victoria into Paris in 1855 the army of Paris partook of a meal in that way. The time of her Majesty's arrival was uncertain, and the troops who lined the streets were kept waiting at their posts for several hours. About four in the after noon they got the order to dine. In another minute they had their arms piled, and seated along by the pavements of the streets, or by the footpath in the Champs Elysees, they were enjoying themselves at their meat and bread. The rapidity with which they packed up their dinner things, and removed all vestiges of the meal, was something that could only have been attained by long practice. When the hour arrived for the troops to march from their rendezvous to the Race-hill, the scene from the Old Steine, round by the Marine-parade, and up the entire distance to the review ground, was really magnificent. The pavements and road way were so crowded with spectators that there was barely more than enough of room for the troops to march in the centre. The windows of the great hotels, and those of all the mansions along the Grand and the Marine-parades were filled with ladies, and ladies also occupied every inch of the balconies in front of those fine houses. People sat and stood on the sea wall all along from the Albion Hotel to Bedford-street, and the greatest en thusiasm was manifested on all sides. There had been one or two very slight showers between 9 and 11 o'clock, but at the latter hour the weather was beautifully fine, and it remained so throughout the rest of the day. The sun shone brilliantly along the Marine-parade ; and the sunshine, sea, brilliant flags, myriads of people, ringing cheers, and cheer- ful countenances, in combination with the martial procession, produced an effect which was splendid beyond description. At 20 minutes past 11 the signal gun was fired, and in an instant after Major-General Sir R. W. Walpole, K.C.8., the General-Commanding, surrounded by his Staff, left his quarters, and rode along the line of march to the review-ground. On the Staff of the General were—Captain W. Congreve, 4th Foot ; Lieut. Moorson, Rifle Brigade ; Lieut. Jones, R.E.; Ensign Walpole, Rifle Brigade. The Volunteer Staff were Col. G. Erskine, Inspector-General of Volunteers ; Col. E.W. C. Wright, Deputy-Inspec tor; Lieut.-Col. C. P. Ibbetson, Lieut.-Col.Roney, Lieut.-Col. R. Young, Lieut:-Col. D. Jones, Lieut.-Col. the Hon. W. J. Colville. Major Saville, Bristol Artillery Volunteers, and Capt. Templer, Harrow Rifle Volunteers, acted as extra aides-de camp. The General-Commanding had scarcely passed up to the racecourse when the Volunteers set out, the corps of the Hon. Artillery Company commanded by Captain W. C. Jay, being in the van. It is about half-a-mile along the beach from the corner of the Old Steine to the turning up Bedford street ; and from this turning up to the portion of the Downs on which the review was held is about a mile and a half . up a rather steep ascent. The view, both front and rear; is exceedingly fine. Triumphal arches spanned Bedford-street ; smiling faces beamed on the Volunteers from every win dow ; and once the open road was reached the regiments passed through double lines of specta tors, who were exuberantly demonstrative in the manifestation of their satisfaction. The flagstaff at which General Walpole saw the marching past was placed directly opposite the Standhouse on the Brighton racecourse ; but a dense crowd ex tended for a distance of fully a mile on either side, commencing about a quarter of a mile to the left of the General's position, and ter minating at the windmill, near the scene of the sham fight. For a considerable portion of the same distance the carriages were two and three deep, and every inch of room was occupied on the Stand. It was estimated that there were more than 150,000 people present, not counting the troops ; and per haps no such crowd had ever been seen on a race course before, except at the Derby. The concourse was in itself a sight worth seeing. When the General-Commanding had taken up his position, he was joined by the Earl of Chichester, Lord-Lieutenant of the county of Sussex. Oppo site the flag-staff, and in the enclosure which does duty as a " ring " when races are being run at Brighton, the bands which were to play for the marching past were very conveniently accommo dated. One band was sent there from each brigade ; the remaining bands marching at the head of their own battalions, without playing. When the order was given for the marching past to begin, the move ment was commenced by about 300 of the 6th Dra goon Guards, commanded by Col. Charles Sawyer. The gallant carbineers performed their part with a steadiness and soldier-like bearing that evoked general cheering. The regular cavalry were followed by a detachment of the Hon. Artillery Company, commanded by Lieutenant John Kearns. Next came the field batteries, Colonel J. W. Orms by, R.A., commanding, with Colonel Anderson, C. 8., R.A., second in command, and Lieutenant E. D. Shafto, R.A., and Captain Torriano, R.A., staff. The first of the batteries were two light guns, with 36 men and 36 horses, Captain W. C. Jay commanding. The brigade field batteries followed, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Truro commanding, with Lieutenant-Colonel W. 0. S. Turner, R.A., as major of brigade. This brigade was composed of two light guns of the Hon. Artillery Company, with 36 men and 26 horses, under the command of Lieutenant E. Mease ; four guns of the 3rd Middlesex Artillery, with 116 men and 24 horses, under the command of Captain W. M. Crossland; and four guns of the Ist Sussex Artillery, with 57 men and 24 horses, under the command of Captain J. W. Silverthorne. The second brigade of field batteries was under the command of Lieu tenant-Colonel G. C. D'Albiac, with Captain G. H. A. Forbes, R.A., Major of Brigade. It was com posed of six heavy guns of the Ist Sussex Artillery, with 70 men and 36 horses, and eight heavy guns of the 3d Middlesex Artillery Volunteer Corps, with 228 men and 48 horses. The Third Brigade was commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Creed, Major Fitz hugh Major. It comprised the 2d Sussex Artillery, Capt. Shadwell ; the 2d Surrey, Lieutenant-Colonel Durnford ; and the Ist Administrative Brigade of Middlesex Artillery, 10 guns, and 185 men in all. The Fourth Brigade of field batteries was the next in order ; Lieut.-Col. E. W. Harcourt commanded, with Capt. Woulfe, R.A., as major of brigade. It included fo ur h eavy guns of the 3d Sussex Artillery with 88 men and 35 horses ; four heavy guns of the Ist Administrative Brigade of the Middlesex Artil lery, with 78 men and 27 horses ; and four heavy guns of the Cinque Ports Artillery, with 164 men and 26 horses. Then followed the Garrison Bri ' gade, Lieut.-Col. W. Richards commanding, and Major W. H. Simpson, R.A., major of Brigade, which consisted of 683 men of the Ist Administra tive Brigade Hampshire Artillery, commanded by Major Macnaghten ; 532 men of 'the Ist Adminis trative Brigade Middlesex Artillery, the 2d Surrey, and Ist London Artillery, commanded. by Lieut.- Col. J. R. W. Walmisley ; and 768 men of the Ist Sussex, 3d Essex, and 2d Middlesex Artillery, com manded by Major Johnston. All the guns of the artillery corps were horsed in a manner that would do credit to the artillery of any regular forces in Europe. The horses which drew the light guns were ridden by members of the corps ; but the heavy 18 and 24-pounders were drawn by farm horses, led by men in smock frocks. As agricultural horses the noble brutes which were thus put at the service of the volunteers by the farmers of the counties to which the regiments belonged could scarcely be matched out of England. All were large, but some were of immense size. Their tails were plaited and tied with ribands of the colour adopted by the corps, and the rustic drivers sported similar ribands on their left arms. Hearty and repeated rounds of cheering were given as this portion of our defending force passed the flagstaff. The first division of infantry then followed ; Major-Gen. D. Russell, C. 8., commanded. On his staff were Col. Munro, 39th Regiment, Lieut.-Col. Hankey, 83d Regiment; Capt. A. E. Warren, 78th Foot ; Lieut. Campbell and Capt. Campbell, Adju tant Cheshire Engineers. The Ist Brigade was com manded by Colonel the Marquis of Donegal, Major M'Kenzie, Aide-de-Camp, and Major Kirk, Major; and consisted of the Inns of Court Corps, at whose head rode Colonel M'Murdo, C. 8., late Inspector- General of Volunteers, and Col. Sargent, the act ing Colonel; the London Irish, commanded by Capt. Irwin ; the 3d London, by Lieut.-Colonel A. B. Richards; the 2d London, by Major Aikman, and the sth Administrative Battalion of the Middlesex Rifles, and the 9th Tower Hamlets. The 2d Bri gade was commanded by Lord Elcho, with Captain Battersby as Major. In this brigade were the 9th West Middlesex, commanded by Capt. Dean ; the London Scottish, by Major Sir D. Baird ; the 29th North Middlesex, by .Lieut.-Col. Whitehead ; the 19th Middlesex, by Lieut.-Col. Hughes ; and the 11th Middlesex, by the Hon. C. H. Lindsay. In command of the 3d Brigade was Lieut.-Col. T. E. Bigge, with Lieut. Bell and Capt. Leggett, the bri gade comprising the 20th Middlesex, commanded by Major G. J. Bower ; the 39th Middlesex, by Lieut.-Col. Penton ; the 7th Surrey, by Lieut.-Col. C. M. Beresford ; the 40th Middlesex, by Lieut.- Col. Somerset ; and the 37th Middlesex, by Lieut.- Col. Corrie. The 4th brigade was commanded by Earl Grosvenor, with Capt. A. S. Adair as Major. This brigade included the Ist Middlesex, Ist Tower Hamlets, and Ist London Engineers, Lieut.-Col. M'Leod commanding ; the 21st Middlesex (Civil Service), and the 38th Middlesex, commanded by Capt. Hawker; the 46th Middlesex, by Lieut.-Col. Sir J. Shelley ; the 22d Middlesex, by Lord Gerald Fitzgerald ; and the 4th Middlesex, by Captain Holland. The second Division of Infantry was commanded by Major-General R. Rumley. At the head of the Ist Brigade was Lord Radstock commanding, with Capt. Bookey, Aide-de-camp, and Capt. Wavell, Major of Brigade. The City of London and Volunteer Brigade, commmanded by Lieutenant- Colonel G. Warde ; the Ist Administrative Bat talion of the Tower Hamlets, by Lieutenant-Colonel Buxton ; the 6th Tower Hamlets, by Lieutenant- Colonel Money ; the 4th Tower Hamlets, by Lieu tenant-Colonel De la Rue, and the 2d and Bth Tower Hamlets Corps, by Major Samuda, composed this Brigade. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Bury com manded the 2d Brigade, with Captain Lewis as Aide-de-camp, and Captain Butler as Major of Brigade. Under the noble lord's command were the 2d Administrative Battalion Middlesex Volun teers, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkinson ; the 10th, 19th, and 23d Surrey Corps, Lieutenant-Colonel V. IL Labrou ; the 3d Administrative Battalion Essex Corps and the 4th Essex Volunteers, Lieutenant- Colonel Davis ; the 2d Administrative Battalion Essex Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Silver ; and the 48th Middlesex, Lieutenant-Colonel G. Cruik shank. The 3d Brigade, commanded by Lord Ranelagh, with Captain Johnstone as Major, com prised the Ist, 18th, 36th, and 47th Middlesex, Major B. Greenhill ; the 7th Administrative Bat talion of the Middlesex Volunteers, and the Ist and sth Bucks, Lieutenant-Colonel Murray ; the Ist Administrative Battalion of the Surrey Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Cole ; the Ist Surrey and the 2d Administrative Battalion of the Surrey Volun teers, Lieutenant-Colonel Cochrane ; the 2d South Middlesex, Major Atterley. The 4th Brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thorold, with Captain Stephenson as Major. In this Brigade were the 3d Administrative Battalion of the Surrey Corps, Captain Lord Monson ; the 2d Administra tive Battalion of the Sussex Volunteers, Major Pipon ; the Ist Administrative Battalion of the Cinque Ports Volunteers, and the 14th and 17th Kent Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. H. Gage ; the Ist Administrative Battalion of the Kent, and the 26th Kent Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Far nell ; and the Ist Sussex Volunteers, Lieutenant- Colonel H. A. Crofton. The sth Brigade closed the marching past of the infantry. It was com manded by Lieutenant -Colonel C. Dunsmure, with Lieutenant Mosely as Major, and consisted of the Ist Hampshire Engineers and the Ist Administra tive Battalion of the Hampshire Rifles, Lieutenant- Colonel Humphrey ; the 2d and 14th Hampshires, and the Ist Administrative Battalion of the Isle of Wight Volunteers, Lieut.-Colonel Sir G. S. B. Pechell ; the 3d Administrative Battalion of the Hampshire Volunteers, Capt. Warner ; the 2d Ad ministrative Battalion of the Hampshire Volun teers, Lieut.-Colonel Ford ; and the Ist Adminis trative Battalion of the Sussex Volunteers, Major J. Gaisford. The marked improvement in the marching of most of the corps was a subject of general remark. Without an exception all the uniforms were in ex cellent condition, and all the regiments presented a smart and military appearance. Such has been the effect of continued training that at no former great gathering of our Volunteers did themen of the force generally look so soldier-like and so much at their ease in the field. The Tnng of Court men, as usual, were warmly greeted by the spectators ; and the as semblage at Brighton could not be accused of na tional prejudice, for it was also very flattering in its attention to the London Irish and the London Scot tish. The men of the former corps, who wore mourning for Major Verner, marched past to the air of " Garryowen," which a few weeks ago was de nounced in the House of Commons as a par,ty tune. It is to be hoped that it was purged of its disloyalty yesterday. The London Scottish marched to the air of " Highland Laddie." Most of the country corps likewise came in for rounds of cheering on account of their admirable bearing. The marching past was a complete success, satisfying alike the critical judg ment of the military authorities and the national pride of the enormous masses who assembled at Brighton to witness the annual festival of the largest section of our Volunteers. The last of the corps had no sooner marched past the saluting base than Sir Robert Walpole and his staff rode off in the direction where the manoeuvres were to take place ; and the vast assemblage of spec tators, swarming under or over the barriers which had hitherto restrained them from trespassing on the racecourse, set themselves in motion towards the same point of attraction. A singular effect was produced by the instantaneous change from a carpet of green sward trodden only by men who had to pass the flag staff in review order, and who were now disappearing at the double over the brow of the nearest hill, to a perfect gangway between the double line of rails through which every one walked as fast as he or she could, and where it was all but impossible to catch sight of the grass for the multi tude of feet that were treading it down. This break up of the crowd and the hasty entry of the majority between the lines of posts and rails was the first thing conveying anything like an adequate idea of the magnitude of the numbers on the Downs. As far as the eye could reach backwards or forwards there was the same multitude of all ages and sizes, streaming in the direction of Bevendean. Many, of course, diverged from the course, and struck out what they conceived to be short cuts for themselves. The great mass, however, adhered to, this line, THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 18, 1865. though the air along their route felt heated as with a furnace blast, and this on the breezy Brighton Downs. The only breaks in the continuous stream were where a few staff-officers, engulfed by the sudden incursion, walked their horses quietly in the midst, any attempt at more rapid progress being out of the question. At a distance of a half to three quarters of a mile from the Grand Stand the race: course was quitted, and the windmill reached. Near this point several refreshment booths had been erected. These at once became the centres of such an amount of custom as to drive their owners nearly frantic with joy and excitement. Some tall stands commanding favourable views of 'the subsequent proceedings were also constructed near this point. These, however, were outsidetheborough boundaries and the owners did not exhibit any of that considera tion for strangers in the matter of prices which the Brighton Committee had urged upon their fellow townemen.. Just beyond the windmill the nearest of the battalions composing the rifle forces was drawn up, their array being by this time almost completed. The view gained from this point was exceedingly grand. The Downs maintain their general, rolling wave-like character here as elsewhere, but the area within which the conflict took place was as nearly as possible circular, rising at the side furthest from the windmill to considerable eminence and sinking in the centre, so as to form a valley or gorge called the Bevendean valley, which for a time defined pretty accurately the territory of the con tending parties respectively. The defensive force, 7,000 strong, under General Russell, was drawn up on the further slope of this valley, having its heavy artillery on a lofty knoll, from which it was for a long time impossible to dislodge it. The 2d division, constituting the attacking army, held the slopes nearest the windmill, with either flank resting upon a farmhouse, of which one was supposed to play a part equally important in the struggle of the day to that filled at Waterloo by Hougoumont. A battery of heavy guns was posted at either side of the wind mill, and the residue of the ordnance was distri buted along the front of the line, as was permitted by the nature of the ground, which fell very rapidly at this point. The engagement opened by a heavy fire from the defenders, who saw themselves ap proached on one flank nearer than they thought de sirable, and, after a short artillery duel, skirmishers were thrown out on either side, and some spirited movements took place among the gorse and broken ground, forming, as it were, the centre of the circle. When the firing began there was little or no wind, and the consequence was that the smoke from the heavy pieces of ordnance hung without rising near the spot where the discharge had taken place. Some times these smoke clouds looked as tight and hard as bags of wool. Sometimes they spread out over the surface of the ground, wearing just such an aspect as if the heath and gorse had been set on fire, and the quick, lurid flashes of subsequent discharges were the crackling flames licking up the briers. At one time the fire from the opposing batteries was so constant and heavy that the whole intervening val ley was filled with smoke, and it was impossible any longer to discern anything that was taking place. Had this state of things continued the battle might have been fought out, as far as the public were con cerned, in complete darkness. Bat fortunately a cur rent of wind sprang up and carried off the densestpor tions of the vapour, which floated away into the dis tance, blotting out as they went an entire portion of the landscape. Any wreath of smoke which afterwards interfered with the view resembled rather the light sea fogs that blow inland occasionally than the thick clouds which bound the vision like a wall. The area covered by 20,000 men manoeuvring and marching to and fro is necessarily so extensive that it was im possible to follow with accuracy the different move ments, or to individualise the Corps by which they were undertaken. The general plan of the battle, however, appeared to be that under cover of a feigned attack on the right of the defending force the attacking party extended their lines so far to the right as first to throw back and eventually to over lap the left wing of the defending army. The latter took up a new position, but only to find the original assault on its right wing renewed with increased vigour, so that an advance en masse of the attack ing force having commenced the defenders retreated from the ground in the direction of their lines in Brighton. Gen. Russell, however, contested every point with determination, making the most of all the advantages conferred upon him by his originally strong position. A considerable proportion of the troops under his command wore scarlet uniforms; while at least half those opposedto him were dressed in lightish grey. This distinction in point of colour, trivial as the fact itself may appear, lent a wonder ful air of reality to the combat.; and one could not help admiring the truly British tenacity with which one of the battalions in red clung to the position as signed to it long after its chances in a militarypoint of view might have been deemed hopeless. Some brilliant cavalry charges took place, but these for the most part occurred at the limit of the area of vision, almost on the sky level of the furthest hill, where the glittering helmets of the Carbineers, seen through a powerful glass, looked little larger than so many heads of pins. Universal admiration was expressed at the manner in which the artillery was served during the day, the very heaviest guns being handled with a smartness and such a continued fire kept up from them as to show that this important branch is one in which the Volunteers, if ever called upon, will be qualified to render effectual service. Firing ceased shortly after four o'clock, and the united and reconciled Divisions pre pared to march back to Brighton by the routes as signed to them in the official programme. The only serious casualty that occurred during the day was one which happened to Joseph Lam bert, of Poplar, gunner in the Tower Hamlets Artil lery. He was acting with the men of the Ist Mid pintagincglose to the cannon, to clear the wheel o dl f es a e c x ar Ar ria t g il e le w ry h hi , cwhweans, passing he fell and one of the wheels of the gun passed over his thigh, not breaking, but bruising it very badly. The poor fellow was at once conveyed in one of the Netley ambulances from the field to the temporary hospital fitted up in case of accidents at the review, where he was attended to by Brigade Surgeon Bur rows, of the Ist Sussex Artillery, assisted by the doctor of the Civil Service Corps. This little hos pital is very neat and airy. It contains four beds, an operating-table, and all the appliances necessary in surgical cases of emergency. In addition there were four accident beds provided at Bevendean Farm, and a ward to accommodate 30 or 40 cases was secured in the Industrial Schools. Brigade Surgeon Burrows had charge of these arrangements, which were altogether exclusive of those in the general hospital of the town. Two of the men of the Carbineers had falls from their horses. One soon recovered from the shock he received in falling, and was able to mount again. The horse trampled on the knee of the other soldier and hurt it, but even in this case the injury is believed not to be a serious one. AN INCIDENT IN THE STRUGGLE AT RICHMOND.— A New York correspondent, in narrating Sheridan's achievements at Five .Forks, relates the following :—A colonel with a shattered regiment came down upon us in a charge. The bayonets were fixed, the men came on with a yell, their grey uniforms seemed black amid the smoke; their preserved colours, torn by grape and ball, waved de fiantly; twice they halted, and poured in volleys, but came on again like the surge from the fog, depleted, but deter mined ; yet, in the hot faces of the carbineers, they read a purpose as resolute, but more calm, and, while they passed along, swept all the while by scathing volleys, a group of horsemen took them in flank. It was an awful instant ; the horses recoiled ; the charging column trembled like a single thing, but at once the rebels, with rare organisa tion, fell into a hollow square, and with solid sheets of steel defied our centaurs. The horsemen rode round them in vain ; no charge could break the shining squares, until our dismounted carbineers poured in their volleys afresh, making gaps in their spent ranks, and then in their waver ing time the cavalry thundered down. The rebels could stand no more ; therreoled and swayed, and fell back broken and beaten ; and on the ground their colonel lay, sealing his devotion with his life. CADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's Ointment and Pills.— Consumption. —The prevalence of this disease, and the number of victims who sink under it yearly in this coun try, render the consideration of preventive measures a matter of paramount importance. The proportion of deaths from all causes in Great Britain attributed to consumption is one-third. If the reader choose ho shall be his own physician in guarding against this malady in himself or household. When the first suspicion arises that consump tion is developing itself, let the patient have the chest and back fomented twice a day with warm brine, dry with a coarse towel, then rub in the ointment, as salt is rubbed into malt to promote it, and the enemy will be baffled. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. NEWMARKET CRAVEN MEETING. That the opening of the season at Newmarket has ceased for some time to possess the attraction it formerly boasted of is a fact too apparent to admit of contradiction. Time was when the Craven was nearly as eagerly looked forward to as the First Spring is now, and when the Rid dlesworth was an important race, as bearing on the issue . of the great Epsom event. Now the Riddlesworth has almost disappeared from the programme, and the Port, the Claret, and the Column show much diminished fields. All inte rest and all speculation centres now on the Guineas, and a few Produce sweepstakes to give vitality to the meeting. The card was but an indifferent ono to-day. Wingravo, good horse though he is, could not give away all the weight he was askod to do his younger competitors, and suc cumbed at the half distance to Sir Roger and Pirate, the latter outsider winning a good race by a head. The Grin der made a very easy affair of the 50 sovs sweepstakes for maiden horses, with only Mongrel to oppose him, but it is anything but a sequitur that the race for the City and Su burban is therefore over. Tho Handicap Plate over the T.Y.C. was the only large field of the day, and produced a good deal of subscription, the betting undergoing some fluctuations. Tragedy had to yield the premiership to Pantaloon before the flag fell, and became a very warm favourite, landing the stake after a race with Viceroy rather cleverly. The most interesting event was the meeting of Puritan, Brahma, and Catalogue in the 25 soy Sweepstakes, the race being supposed, from Catalogue's running this year, to lay between the two for mer.:Puritan certainly appeared to be winning at the dis tance, but failing soon after left Catalogue in possession of the lead, who landed the Marquis of Hastings's colours in the race for the third time to-day, easily. The attendance was rather meagre. Tho Craven Stakes of 10 sovs each, with £5O added, for 3-yr-olds and upwards; weight for ago, with certain conditions. A.F. 3 subs. Mr. H. Savile's Pirate, 3 yrs, Est 101 b (£500) (J. Grimshaw 1 Mr. Meny's Sir Roger, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (£500) (H. Covey 2 i Baron Rothschild'sWingrave, 6 yrs, Ost Olb (71b extra (Wells) 3 Mr. T. Naylor's Maharajah, 4 yrs, Bst 81b (£500) (Norman) 4 Mr. Carr's Silyerlocks, 3 yrs, 6st 31b (£100) ...(Gibbons) 5 _ . _ Betting-6 to 5 agst Wingravo, 3to 1 agst Sir Roger, and 6 to 1 each agst Maharajah and Pirate. Silverlocks, with a slight lead of Maharajah, Sir Roger, and the favourite, led across the flat, but on reaching the Bushes Pirate, who had hitherto laid away, came past his horses with a wet sail, and held the lead into the Abingdon mile bottom, whore Grimshaw indulged him with a pull, and waited upon Sir Roger, who led Wingrave half way in the cords. Pirate was then brought up, and won a fine race in the last stride by a head ; Wingravo, who was stopped when his chance was out, finished a bad third. The others were beaten off. Sweepstakes of 50 sous each; h ft for 3-yr-old colts, Bsl 101 b, and fillies, Bst 51b ; with certain allowances. ILE 5 subs. Marquis of Hastings's The Grinder, Bst 61b...(Fordham) 1 Capt. Machell's Mongrel, Bst 61b ..................(Edwards) 2 Betting-5 to lon The Grinder. After the first half dozen strides the favourite went to the front, and won with the most consummate ease by three lengths. Match : both two yrs old ; last half of R.M. £5O. Mr. Preston's Emma, Bst 101 b (Woodhouse) 1 Lord Westmoreland's Bavaria filly, 7st 101 b (Morris) 2 Betting-11 to 10 on the Bavaria filly, who led into the dip, where the non-favourite came out and won easily by a length. Handicap Plate of £5O, for 3-yr-olds and upwards. T.Y.C. Marquis of Hastings's Pantaloon, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (car.7st 51b) (Cannon 1 Mr. E. Brayley's Viceroy, 3 yrs, Gst 121 b (11 Covey) 2 Mr. Cherry's Disappointment, G yrs, 7st (Sayers 3 The following also ran :—Trap, Dawdle, Oakapple, Hawkshaw, Atlas, Mrs. Somerville, Flageolet, Bessie, Tragedy, Weaver, and Water Lily filly. Betting-5 to 2 (at first sto 1) agst Pantaloon, 7to 2 agst Tragedy, 100 to 12 agst Viceroy, 10 to 1 each agst Disappointment, Trap, and Dawdle (the latter opening at 4 to 1), 100 to 8 agst Hawkshaw, and 20 to 1 agst Atlas. Tragedy on the loft was the first away, and came on with a slight lead of Pantaloon on his right ; Dawdle, Disap pointment, and Hawkshaw, who ran in a body into the dip, when Pantaloon appeared in advance, and with Viceroy at his quarters, ran in company to half way in the course, where ithe favourite obtained the best of it, and won an exciting race by a neck ; Disappointment finished a bad third, Flageolet was fourth, Trap fifth, Mrs. Somerville sixth, and Bessie seventh ; then came Dawdle, Tragedy, and Hawkshaw. Tho last two were Atlas and Oakapple, the latter having broken down. Sweepstakes of 10 sous each, for 2-yr-olds, to carry 6st 71b; and 3-yr-olds, 9st ; f. and g. allowed 31b. The winner to be sold for £2OO ; if for £lOO, allowed 71b. T.Y.C. 6 subs. Mr. B. Ten Broeck's Cobweb, 3 yrs, Bst 41b (£100) (Fordham) 1 Mr. W. G. Craven's Fury, 2 yrs, sst 111 b (X 100) (Tribe) 2 Mr. 11. Savilo's Kinghorn, 2 yrs, 6st 71b (.£100) (J. Grimshaw) 3 Mr. W. E. Jones's Seam, 2 yrs, sst 111 b (,£100) (F. Arnull) 4 Mr. llodgman's Voltigeur-Barazina, 2 yrs, sst 111 b (£100) (Heartfield) 5 Betting.-5 to 4 agst Cobwell, sto 2 agst Fury, and sto 1 agst Kinghorn. Fury got away with a clear lead, followed by Kinghorn and the favourite into the cords, where the latter came through and won easily by a length ; a bad third. Sweepstakes of 25 sovs each, for 3-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies and geldings, Bst 711); maidens at starting allowed 71b. T.Y.C. 8 subs. Marquis of Hastings's Catalogue (Pordham 1 Count Batthyany's Puritan (Custance 2 Lord Westmoreland's Brahma (J. Goater 3 Mr. Elphinstone's Lady Valentine (Challoner 4 Betting-5 to 4on Brahma, sto 2 agst Puritan, and 4to 1 agst Catalogue. The latter lying wide on the extreme right got away with a slight lead, the favourite on the left, following next with Puritan and Lady Valentine in the centre of the two. They retained these positions until they reached the cords when _Puritan joined the leader, but dying away in the next half dozen strides, he was beaten easily by three lengths. A head separated second and third. Handicap Sweepstakes of 15 soya each, 10ft for 3-yr-olds and upwards. D.M. 8 subs. Mr. Hodgman's Verdant, 3 yrs, sst 71b ...(Heartfield) f 1 Mr. E. Brayley's Golden Dust, 5 yrs, 7st 121b(Cannon) 2 Mr. Hugh Smith's Guardsman, 4 yrs, 7st 41b (Morris) 3 Captain White's Rattler, 4 yrs, 7st 71b ((Sayers))) 4 Captain J. King's Gem of the Sea, 5 yrs, Bst 121 b (J. Goater) 5 Mr. W. Morris a Jessie, 4 yrs, 7st 10113 (Lynch) 6 Betting-5 to 2 agst Guardsman, 4to 1 agst Golden Dust, and 5 to 1 each agst Verdant and Rattler. Guardsman cut out the work into the cords, where he was headed by Golden Dust and Verdant, who finished a fine race home with a dead heat ; Guardsman finished a head in the rear of the two. The others beaten off. Deciding heat—Betting-5 to 4 on Verdant, who won in a canter by four lengths. The Fifty-first Biddlesworth Stakes of 200 sovs each, h ft; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b ; mares or stallions that never produced a winner allowed 31b ; if both, 51b. Ab, M. 3 subs. Mr C. Alexander's Jack o'Lantern (Fordham) 1 Mr. Merry's Cantata (Challoner) 2 Botting-2 to 1 on Jack o'Lantorn, who won easily by a Length. LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE. NEWMARKET HANDICAP. 3to 1 agst John Davis (taken) TWO THOUSAND. 3to 1 agst Liddington (taken) sto 1 agst Breadalbane (taken) 50 to 1 agst Joker (taken) THE DERBY. 7 to 1 agst Tho Duko (taken) 7to 1 agst Breadalbane (taken) 10 to 4 agst Liddington (taken) 20 to 1 agst Bedminster (taken) DURHAM RACES.—MoIs-DAy. The Trial Stakes of 5 sous each, with 25 added; weight - for age, &c. T.Y.C. Mr. Haig's Roderick Random, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (Carroll 1 Mr. J. Osborne's Lady Abbess, 5 yrs, 9st ...(j. Osborne 2 Mr. Redhead's My Mary, 3 yrs, 9st 91b (J. Snowden 3 Gayous and Jupiter also ran. Betting-6 to 4 agst My Mary, sto 2 agst Jupiter, 4to 1 agst Roderick Random. Won by a length ; same between second and third. The Eleraore Stakes of 10 sous each, h ft, with 100 added; for 3-yr-olds; colts, Bst 101 b; fillies and geldings Bst 61b; penalties and allowances. T.Y.C. 20 subs. Mr. Jackson's Split the Difference, Bst 101 b (Doyle 1 Mr. Giubilie's Flora, Bst 61b (Key 2 Mr. T. Mast erman ' s Ho nes ty, Bst 101 b ( oble 3 Mr. J. Osborne's Black Jacket, Bst 101 b (J. Osborne 4 Mr. Bowes's Hope, Bst 101 b (Oram 5 Betting—Even on Split the Difference, 3 to 1 each agst Flora and Honesty. Won by three quarters of a length; three lengths between second and third. The Durham Handicap of 100 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of 10 sovs each, h ft, and 2 if declared ; winners extra ; second to save his stake. One mile and a half. 28 subs, 13 declared. Mr. J. C. Watson's Alice, 5 yrs, Bst 81b ...(J. Snowden) 1 Mr. J. Buchanan ns Wangle Eye, 4 yrs, 9st 91b (G. Noble) 2 Mr. J. Osborn e 's Gaily, 5 yrs, Bst 121 b (J. Osborne) 3 The following also ran :—Vanessa, Curtain Lecture, Ameer, and Mrs. Lirriper. Betting-2 to 1 agst Wangle Eye, sto 2 agst Curtain Lecture, 4 to 1 agst Ameer, 5 to 1 each agst Mrs. Lirriper and Gaily. Won by a short head ; two lengths between second and third. Curtain Lecture bolted. Mr. J. Osborne declared to win with Gaily. The Stand Selling Stakes of 5 sovs each, 3 ft, with 25 added; weight for age, with selling allowances, &c. T.Y.C. Mr. Land's Star of the Evening, 2 yrs, £3O, sst 111 b (Dunbar) 1 Mr. Marr's Deerfoot, 4 yrs, £3O, Bst (Howey) 2 Mr. J. Osborne's Queen of Troy colt, £2O, 6st (Carroll) 3 Betting—Even on Star of the Evening, 5 to 4 agst Lambton colt. Won by a length ; the same between second and third. Tho Durham Hunt Plato of 50 sovs, for hunters ; weight for age ; certain penalties and allowances. Two miles. 21 subs. Mr. V. Surtees's Cragsman, G yrs (Mr. Miller) 1 Mr. Fawcett na Rod Robin (h.b.), 5 yrs ...(Mr. Gregson) 2 Major Boll's The Queen, aged (Major Hill) 3 Mr. H. Fenwick na Lady Middl e t on , 4 yrs... (M r. Smith) 4 Mr. Allison's Ranger (h b), 6 yrs (Mr. Cass 5 Mr. C. J. Dove's Whipper J enny , 5 yrs (M r. Hain 6 Mr. G. Brown's Kettledrum, 5 y rs (Owner 7 Betting (first past the post)-6 to 4on Cragsman, 3to 1 agst Red Robin, 5 to 1 agst The Queen. Won by a length ; three lengths between second and third. The winner was objected to beforo starting, on the ground of being trained in a racing stable. :BLACKHEATH AND WOOLWICH RACES. MONDAY. The Tradesmen's Plate of 20 sovs ; lOs t 71b each ; thorough breds 71b extra. One mile. Mr. Shepherd's Done Brown (late Beechnut), lOst 71b l Mr. Barrett's Sophia, h b , 6 y rs lOst 71b , ( Owner 2 Mr. Parker's bm by Eryx, b, 1 Ost 7b (P. Parker 3 The following also ran :—Mr. Ranford's b g Sweep, Se quence, Queen Bee, and Villeggiatura. Betting-6 to 4 agst Sequence, 3to 1 agst any other. Won by four lengths; a bad third. A Selling Stakes of 3 sovs each, with 20 added ; weight for age, with selling allowances, &c. About three quarters of a mile. Mr. Breary's Xurullo, 6 yrs, Bst 71b (£3O) (R. I'Anson, jun.) 1 Mr. J. Nightingall's Roulette, 3 yrs, Est 111 b (£3O) (Elphick) 2 Hobson weighed for Mr.Clapham's Foxhead, aged (.£2O), Bst 11b, but the horse did not go to the post. Betting-5 to 4on Xurullo. Won by three lengths. The winner was bought by Mr. Wright for 50 guineas. The Kent Welter Cup of 50 sovs ; weight for age ; gentle men riders ; jockeys, 71b extra. One mile. Mr. Breary's Xurullo, 6 yrs, 13st 31b (inc. 71b extra) (T. Barton) 1 Mr. Newland's Lady Wilson filly, 3 yrs, 9st 131 b (Mr. Barrett) 2 Betting-4 to lon the Tadmor filly. The Blackheath Plate of 30 sovs. About three-quarters of a mile. Mr. R. Oldham's Tom Sayers, 6 yrs, 7st 111 b (Baker 1 Mr. E. W. Taylor's Generalissimo, 3 yrs, 7st ...(Bunton 2 Mr. England's Lady Warwick, 4 yrs, Bpt 71b (Smith 3 The following also ran :—Turcos, Walpole, Annington, Villeggiatura, and Fugleman. Betting—Even on Tom Sayers-3 to 1 agst Lady War wick-4 to 1 agst Generalissimo-5 to 1 agst any other. Won by a neck ; half a length between second and third. The Handicap Hurdle Race of 5 sow; each, with 30 added; winners extra. One mile and a half. Mr. J. Abel's Water Lily, 4 yrs, 9st (car. 9st 61b) (W. Payne) 1 Mr. Rose Price's Simpleton, aged, 9st 91b (Mr. Horagan) 1 Pam also ran. Betting—Even on Water Lily-5 to 4 agst Pam-3 to 1 agst Simpleton. Won by three lengths. An objection against the winner for not having gone the full distance, awaits the decision of tho stewards this day (Tuesday). Match, .£4O ; lOst 61b each ; owners up. One mile. Mr. New's Annington, 4 yrs, 9st., and Mr. Greenfield's Remunerator, aged, off by consent. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. " TrsiEs."—The electors of Rochdale have creditably discharged a trust of which they had reason to bo proud. If they have not returned a representative capable of tread ing in Mr. Cobden's footsteps, they have at least rejected by a decisive majority one whose election would have been downright treason to the memory of their late member. Mr. Brett, wo believe, is a highly respectable man, and a lawyer of some eminence, but the consummate audacity of an avowed Tory aspiring to fill Mr. Cobden's seat deserved a severe rebuke. There are times and places for all things, and certainly the week after the great Reformer's death was not the time, nor was Rochdale the place, to choose for an Anti-Reform demonstration. The ten-pounders of Rochdalo were told, without much exaggeration, that the eyes of Europe were upon thorn ; certainly those of the English public watched their proceedings narrowly, and for the occasion they were invested with an influence not unlike that of the " prerogative tribe" at Rome. The de feat of Mr. Potter, the friend of Mr. Cobden, by a stranger of Ultra-Conservative views would have startled the whole country and been accepted as an omen for the General Election. How the example of one constituency operates upon another, why the success of an obstructive politician in a northern borough should induce even a wavering Liberal to vote for another obstructive in a southern borough, wo do not profess to explain. The fact, however, is certain, and it suggests a laxity of political convictions among tho classes already enfranchised which may housed as an argument either for or against a large admission of others to the suffrage. Rut Rochdale has done its duty and elected a man after Mr. Cobden's own heart. It must be admitted that Mr. Potter is too robust a Liberal for the nerves of some of us; that he calls himself an "ad vocate of human progress all over the world ;" talks of " going for democracy ;" and reads solemn lectures to the British aristocracy on the humiliation of their order in America. This language does not impress us with im plicit faith in his wisdom or statesmanship ; but dis ciples of Mr. Bright can hardly be expected to spout milk and water on the Rochdalo hustings, and Mr. Potter is not too old to learn moderation with an increased sense of responsibility. Though a comparatively untried man, he is much respected among Liberals of the advanced school, and, as the successor of Mr. Cobden at Rochdale, ho may be recognised as the right man in the right place. It is somewhat remarkable that at such a moment a most popular candidate, backed by Mr. Bright, seconded by Mr. Ashworth, and claiming to have " enjoyed for some years the closest intimacy with Mr. Cobden," should have polled after all less than half of the votes on the Rochdalo re gister. If Dod be a trustworthy authority, more than 250 electors must have abstained from voting on either side. It is well known that incontests for metropolitan boroughs the proportion of neutrals is much larger, and Mr. Hare states in a recent letter to one of our contemporaries that it amounts to nearly half of the constituencies. By way of remedy, he proposes an ingenious scheme for making the exercise of the suffrage in the metropolis " a far more interesting duty, as well as a more valuable right, than it has been generally felt or considered to bo possible that it could become." Into the details of this scheme, which Mr. Hare calls very simple, but which appears to us highly visionary and complex, we shall not enter at present. Suffice it to say that ho aims at appropriating the 22 me tropolitan seats (including Middlesex and East Surrey) to the most eminent men in politics, science, literature, mili tary or naval service, and mercantile enterprise, and that for this purpose he would make all Middlesex and part of Surrey one great electoral body, and place a long list of distinguished candidates before every voter. Whatever may be thought of the proposed organisation, there can be no question that many aro now excluded whose counsels would be of the highest value, but we aro not so sure that they aro men whom largo constituencies would de light to honour. Having before us examples of the qua lities which find favour with the mass of voters in those boroughs, we should not like to predict too confidently that the greatest intellectual or practical capacity, with out local interest, would meet with appreciation. Solid obstacles, more or less obvious, contribute to bar the access to Parliament against such men. In the first place, they aro seldom rich, and a liberal expenditure of money touches feelings a great deal more universal than a patriotic ambi tion to make the House of Commons a true Wittonagomoto. Mr. Bright boasts, perhaps justly, of the purity and public spirit of Rochdale, but he throw in a judicious allusion to Mr. Potter's open-handed generosity. The ruinous ex pense of contested elections does more than anything else to deter rising men from coming forward, and to lower the average of ability in Parliament. Then, how is a great constituency to discern Parliamentary qualifications in young men, and how aro men already past the prime of life to retain the elasticity and acquire the experience necessary for great Parliamentary success. This is one of the greatest difficulties, since it arises out of the nature of things. In the good old days the first Lord Holland, both the Pitts, Burke, Canning, and Huskisson entered the House of Commons with very slender incomes, and were educated, so to speak, within its walls. We should rejoice to see an equally discriminating patronage of merit in the wire-pullers of populous boroughs ; but wo confess that it has yet to bo displayed. Mr. Potter may or may not be the coming man, but it was his Lancashire connection that rallied the Rochdale Liberals, and even this could not rouse a large body of voters from their apathy. The principal and the most satisfactory cause of this phenomenon, which is mistaken by many for a Conservative reaction, is simply that just now we have no serious question to fight about. There may or may not be great anomalies in our political and social state, but there are no crying grievances, and the present holders of power honestly consult for the most part the interests of the whole community. Why, then, should Lord Palmerston be preferred to Lord Derby, or even Mr. Potter, who goes far beyond the former, to Mr. Brett, who lags far behind the latter ? Only because those who have carried out and supported great reforms in the past aro for that reason more likely to understand the future. It is easy for Mr. Brett to see the truth of Free Trade, when it has been carried in spite of what Mr. Bright sails " all the Mr. Bretts in the world ;" but the presump tion is that he would exhibit a similar blindness to the merits of the next question of the same kind which may present itself. It is not the business of any Government to be creating now problems for solution, but its business is to solve those which arise, and for this task the real Tory seems to want perception. A great deal of cant has been talked about "progress, " but there is such a thing after all, and those whose lives have been spent in putting on the drag aro not likely to ply the whip effectively when re quired. There are some signs, indeed, of a progressive Conservatism, as it is miscalled, which casts off the ob structive traditions of the past, and is absolutely unpledged as to the future. Should this creed ever be embraced by the leading members of the party now in Opposition, a coalition of parties or a fresh division on now principles - might ensue, but Mr. Brett's typo will have neither part nor lot in such a change of policy. DAILY NEWS. —.The decision of Judge Smith, of Mon treal, in tho case of the St. Alban's Raiders, has been con demned in this country both by the official and by the inde pendent press, as incoherent in its reasonings, false in its conclusions, and thoroughly partisan in its temper and tone' The Judge gave, it will be remembered, among other notable reasons for refusing the surrender of the prisoners, this --that the Extradition Treaty, under which they were demanded, was at an end. In the earlier reports which reached this country he was said to have ruled that the treaty had ceased to be of force, owing to a decision pro nounced in the United States. According, however, to the Montreal Herald, ho said:thit political changes—i.e., seces sion—in the United States, had annulled the Ashburton Treaty. It is a pity that the learned gentleman did not reflect a little upon the consequences which naturally flow from his decision. Not, indeed, that the plain direc tions of the law aro over to bo wrested for the sake of con sequences ; but a little foresight might have made the judge distrust his individual judgment. If Judge Smith had not boon in so great a hurry to release the prisoners he would probably have remembered that the judges of the Supreme Court had just before recognised the validity of the treaty, by surrendering Burley according to its provi sions. He would also have remembered that a Judge has to administer statutes and not treaties. The Ashburton Treaty was nothing to the Courts until a law was passed to give it effect. The statute remains unrepealed, and our Mullers will understand that they aro still liable to extra dition when fugitives in the United States. Much more important is the decision of Judge Smith that a military commission from a Government covers the offences of rob bery and murder on the part of its bearer from the eyes of neutrals. Strictly speaking, Judge Smith has no more power to establish this proposition as a matter of law than he has to decide on the validity of the treaties, and his private opinion is of importance to nobody but himself. But, practically, as wo have seen, he can set free on that ground prisoners charged with robbery, and can deprive the executive government of his country of an opportunity of obtaining the opinion of a Superior Court by way of appeal. It was surely by an oversight that provision was not made in the Canadian law for such a case as has jus t occurred. If Judge Smith had pronounced an opinion unfavourable to the raiders they would have declared the law as it applies to their case. As they have been acquitted , the Canadian Government has been obliged to resort, l f we may believe the telegrams, to measures which, although no doubt strictly legal, have the appearance of straining the law against the prisoners. After their discharge by Judge Smith the men were re-arrested, and are to be tried, according to one account, at Toronto under a new demand for extradition ; according to another, for an offence agains t the British Crown by infringing our neutrality laws. It ie certainly desirable that some means should be taken for ob taining a plain and intelligible deliverance of the Suprem e Court upon the question whether military commission covers the responsibility of a person who commits acts like those laid to tho charge of those raiders. For, consider what they did :—they left Canada in the guise of peaceful citizens ; they went to St. Alban's, put up at an hotel there, and having staid several days, went out one afternoon, an d in five minutes afterwards wore in all the banks of the town holding pistols to the breasts of the clerks, seizing the money in their charge, shooting down and killing thos ° who demurred to their demands, after which they fled on stolen horses over the Canadian frontier. Judge Smith says that this is not an offence for which the men may h n , delivered up, inasmuch as they were belligerents, and bon a commission. If it could be shown that this is the law we should all be ready to abide by it. Whether we should allow the law to remain in such a state is another ques tion. In the meantime, the Government of the United States watches these changing phases of the case with much interest. It has made a formal demand for extracli" tion, and it would be difficult for it to acquiesce in a refu sal avowedly founded on the principles of Judge Smith judgment. At the same time, it looks to the Canadian Executive, and not to the courts--certainly not to the in" ferior courts—of Canada, for an answer to its requisitio n ' A telegram informed us on Saturday that, in vie tt of the action of the Canadian Government in prose cuting the raiders for breach of neutrality, Mr. Sewar d had announced his intention to withdraw the demand fo r their extradition. On the other hand, the New Y o r ig ministerial newspapers affirm that the Government of the , United States will on l y b e li eve that the Governor °I Canada is acting in good faith when the order for extradi' tion has been signed by Lord Monck. We suspect tha t neither of these statements correctly represents the atti tude which the United States Government has taken uPi That Government must strongly d es i re th e punishment of the raiders as a warning that adventures like theirs eon not be undertaken with impunity. But it can make n° difference to it whether that punishment is inflicted on Oa or the other side of the frontier. According to informati on which we believe events will confirm, the United states Government has not withdrawn its demand ; but, having full confidence in the good faith of the Canadian Exeon: tivo, it has instructed those who act for it in Canada t' carry on the legal proceedings under the Extraditio n Treaty until the raiders aro prosecuted by the Canadian Government for a breach of the Queen's neutrality. Whey that takes plac e th ey are t o suspend their proceedings, ant only renew them in case of the failure or abandonment o the prosecution by the Canadian Government. This soon! to be a reasonable course, combining protection to the legitimate interests of th e U n it e d St a t es, w i t h a f a i r defree of consideration for a nei g hb our ac ti ng , as the Canaco6a Government has done, with uprightness and sincerity. COUNTRY MARKETS ---r+---------- NORTIIAMPTON.—Antn, 15. a Now white wheat, 38s to 42s • new red, 36s to 38s ; °/ white, 43s to 445; old rod, 38 s t o 39s per 36 stone. Barldo 3 for malting, 31s to 33s per qr. ; gr i n di ng, 26s to 31s pe r stone. Oats, old, 25s to 26s ; now, 18s t o 24 s per 24 s top° Beans, old, 36s to 40s ; new, 35s to 38s per 38 stone. DO * 33s to 38s per 36 stone. COLCHESTER—Arnim 15. The supply of wheat was pre tt y fair and prices WO re rather in favour of b u y ers . T ra d e inactive. q 3 4 Wheat, white 42s 46s Beans, Mazagan...... a ..- 11 4 0§ red 358 428 Middle and small._ 358 I Barley ... ' ',Bs 35s Peas, white. 35s „.. Oati••••... GRANTHAM—APRIL 15. Old white wheat, 41s to 445; old red, 38s to 41s; 1 1 !,. 1( whito, 40s to 44s ; new red, 37s to 408 per 36 sto ne . D''; ley for malting, 29s to 33s per qr. ; grinding, 24s to 26s 1 30 , 30 stone. Oats, old, 25s to 27s ; new, 22s to 24s per 2.1 stone. Beans, old, 39s to 41s; new, 36s to 38s per 38 stoue• Peas, 34s to 36s per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD—Arum 13. There was a small attendance at to-day's market, 1111 ,1 business was by no m eans b r i s k . Li tt l e d one i n anythvil and late prices about maintained. A 3 80 Wheat, old white....4o s 45 s P eas, P ar t r id ge 3 6 S 30 new 408 46s White ..3 8 0 old red 358 4 0 s ThAling ...... • • 38 8 350 new. 37s 408 Dun.... ..... ...318 ... 4 8ar1ey..... 2ss 32s dit o, new. ...- 8' „.0 thevalier 266 33s Beans, Tick, 01d......3 40 , • Grinding ' , Os ',Ss new. ...—s ,0 Malt 6ls 67s Harrow I'icks.3ss _. Chevalier 64s 68s new....- 8 3) . Oats ABERDEEN—APRIL 14. The fine weather enabling farmers to push forward se t ; ing, deliveries at market are few; and an advance of is 10 ,4 taken place on oats. Barley remains at the advance " last week. 33s Od 0 0 d d t 0 0 0 34s Od o ° d d l Whito wheat Red wheat Potato oats 16s Od to 16s 6dt Antts V bus— hel. Common oats lss Od to 15s 9df -- Bere 19s 6d to 20s Od / ~,, 19s Od to 20s Odf 62/b V bushe l ' „ o lb V bushe l ' Barley 4 Oatmeal 13s Od to 14s Od VI boll of 1- 0 P -„, r , Flour, fine 31 s O d to 32s Od V sack of 28"" KIRKCALDY —Arm 15. Ti n Small supplies of all ki n d s o f gra i n. S ales quick. st and barley 6d, oats ls, per qr-dearer. Wheat. Barley. Oats. First , 84e Od I 24s Od 19s Od Second 358 Od 25s Od I 21s Sd 38s Od 288:0d 22s Od COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d. Buddle'sWestHartloy 17 0 Holywell Main l6 0 Tanfield Moor l3 0 Tanfield Moor Butes 13 0 Byass's Bebsido West Hartley l7 0 Hetton l9 0 Hartlepool Tunstall Ships at market, 0. 6 South Kelloe lielloo Hetton Lyons l5 6 Heugh Hall l7 9 Walls End Gosforth 15 0 South Hetton East Hartlepool Keiper Grange ......... 16 0 West Lambton ll 123 ; sold, 38. ....4 Births. Vite CASEY.—On Easter Sunday, the wife of Captain T. - Casey, of a daughter. LumSDEN.—On the 16th inst., at 20, Onslow-squaro, wife of Henry Lumsden, Esq., of a son. SALT.—On the 15th inst., the wife of Thomas Salt, lit Esq., M.P., at Walten-on-the-Hill, Stafford, of a &tog ter. Marriages. BURLEIGH—RARRISON.—On the 15th inst., at St. Goorb i ,, the-Martyr, Qu een - square, Ch ar l es George Burl B.A. of Brighton, to I sa b e ll a Dickson Harrison, Oa ter of the late Henry Harrison, Esq., merchant. va t , GULLY—SELBY.—On the 15th i ns t., a t St. S av i our 's, dington,William Court Gully, Esq., of the Inner Ter a .'of to Elizabeth Ann W a lf or d, e ld es t d aug ht er o f Th°`" ,, Selby, Esq., of 19, Westbourne-squaro. Deaths. Tl ,v3 COLLINS.—On tho 16th inst., Henry Collins, E s q., of Duffryn, near Newport, Mon., aged 53. COLES.—On the 16th inst., in Northumberland;st rt j Strand, the Rev. J. Coles, rector of Silchester, J.I i:o 78. e KENYON.—On the 17th inst., the Hon. Lloyd K0E13 7 0 11 1 eldest son of Lord Kenyon, aged 30. e g PAUL.—On the 15th inst., at Langport, Somerset, TM ° Paul, Esq., aged 79. WINDHAm.—On Good Friday, at Upton Gray House,, b o ham, Lady Windham, wife o f Li eu t.-G enora l Sir Windham, Windham, K.C.8., aged 42. f 0, Loudon : Printed and published by WIL LIAM ANDO I-o 12f, of No. 112, Strand, Pi inter, at TAE SUN office, N o 4 0 ' Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the CoW Middlesex. - -Tuesday, Aptil 18, 1885. I