The Sun. — London, England, 1864-09-10 00:00:00

The Danish Despatches. The following is the conclusion of the second series of despatches recently laid before the Danish Jtigsraad EXTRACT FROM A DESPATCH OF THE DANISH MINISTER .AT STOCKHOLM TO M. HALL, PRESIDENT OF THE COUN CIL AT COPENHAGEN. ‘, Dec. 4, 1863. "M. le Ministre,—ln reply to the communica tions I have been charged to make to the Stock. helm Cabinet, conformably , to your excellency's orders in despatches Nos. 27 and 28, Count Man deretrom has addressed a despatch dated the day before yesterday, to Count Hamilton, which the latter will have already brought to your excellency's knowledge before the arrival of this report. You will, therefore, be aware that the Stockholm Cabi net does not consider the present time opportune for proceeding to signature of the treaty negotiated in the course of the summer. "The explanations which Count Manderstrom gives of the point of view of his court are in complete the indications I have been in a position to forward to yoUr excellency. I could, therefore, confine my self to referring thereto, but I request permission. to profit by the opportunity of the departure of MNjor- General von Blucher, who has kindly offered to take charge of this report, to have the honour of adding a few words which I particularly request your ex. cellency to regard as entirely confidential. " Since I have been aware of the project of a treaty of alliance with us, I have suspected that Count Manderstrom took part in it mainly to cover the res ponsibility of the King, who had gone too f a r in his conversations with his late Majesty King Fr ederick VII. For I know that, notwithstanding the i r sympathy with our cause, the great majority of the Swedish nation was not thoroughly pene trated with the conviction that the well-understood interests of the country might counsel active cos operation in a conflict which did not in the main touch it very nearly. Thus it was impossible to con ceal from myself that the idea of a treaty of alliance with us, even under such circumstances as obtained during the past summer, was un popular enough. t Scandinavian party alone, which is not numera otis, entertained this idea. Others, who considered ' it a means of augmenting the military forces of the corwitry, did not oppose it. With few exceptions, however, the majority is content to have discovered a pretext, plausible enough in its eyes, to abstain from the signature of the treaty. 1 will not be understood to •say that the race of affairs is so far changed that we could no longer count upon the sympathies, and, up to a certain point, also upon the assistance of this country, Upon the contrary, our course is considered just. They are indignant at the perfidy of Germany and of the Government, but they are rejoiced that an expedient has been found which permits Sweden to withdraw with honour from the engagements she was on the point of contracting with us. Count Manderstrom has frequently told me, n.nd he has repeated in his despatch of the day be fore yesterday, that the position of affairs was no longer the same now as in the summer. While at that time the matter was a special case of aggres sion against Denmark upon the part of .Germany, under pretexts sought in Federal relations, the question has now assumed larger demensions—it has become European. Sweden is interested in it in the same degree as the other signitary Powers of the Treaty of London ; and further, she has duties to fulfil not only towards her neighbours but also towards herself. The conjuncture of political affairs is of the most critical character. If we are unwilling to believe in an alliance between Prussia, ustria, and Russia l it is not judicious to lose sight of the possibility of an alliance between _Russia and Feztnce. If I were not apprehensive of repeating what has been said I would point out that Count Manderstrom is most desirous of avoiding the isola tion of Sweden from the action of the other Powers, seeing especially the fatal influence such an isola tion would emercise upon the course of events when the time shall have arrived for having recourse to mediation in our dispute. 1 venture to add that I believe Count Manderstrom sincere in the wishes he expresses for a fortunate issue to the struggle in which we are engaged. His despatcLes, his official language, and his private conversation affords proofs o that sincerity, and I believe that he worthily re presents his country &so frcm that point of view.. , (Signed) " W. SCHEEL-PLESSEN." ErnAcT FROM A DESPATCH OF THE DANISH MI- ASTER AT STOCKHOLM. " Dec. 10, 1863. " Actuated by the alarming news brought the day before yesterday by the telegraph according to which a Fedgral execution in the iiuchy of Holstein appeared iraminznt, I have thought it my duty to represent once more to Count Mande,rstrom the opportuo,mese, nay the necessity, of coming to our aid. The count listened to me with marked attention, assured me of the lively interest he took in the present state of affairs, but repeated the same reasons as he brought forward wi..en upon a previous occasion I endeavoured to decide the Stockholm Cabinet to active co-opera tion. While thanking the count for the diplomatic steps .he had taken in our favour, I asked him if he did not think the time had arrived to go still fur ther. Unfortunately he was not of my opinion. In the 1o)og conversation we had upon the subject, and which clearly showed the sympathies he felt, the count among other things said—' Without the means of proving the fact, I believe that Austria and Prussia have promised England and France not to exceed the limits of a Federal execution, un founded as this extreme measure be. I believe also that the withdrawal of the patent of the 30th Itarch will stop the march of the German troops, but I fear lest another pretext might be discovered by putting forward the Federal decree of the Ist October, which has now no longer any reason to eZiECt. (Signed) "V S -CIIEEL-PLESSEN." to T i tremainder of this series of documents relates h refeTe negotiations ue between Denmark and Russia. Ce raraittee to eto these the report of the Political eo ux the Rigsraad says : by th e , ei To c e e l t l i _ e one with Russia were s c a rc ely c h ange d the po s i t i on o e f of the last En g li s h p ro p osa l, an d acceded to th e E , s re , n . ee- While Baron Brannow Schlei, a n d hitha u e lf , !lsh proposal of the line of the partition With an uttixdbsflaught forward a project of the proposition raadesb lied frontier line, he opposed indications are f ound siTa France. on the 22d June. that he was inclined to take up a different course pursued at the Conference. Thus he saidi a n t r o h the ethileaotnference of June 9 that, far from rejecting ha : b roposition for tehn prepared to a personal union, he would s upport it, having instructions in have w i t h his Governme nt. This coincides.statement at s ense from is shown from another quarter to view of the Russian Govern ment at the c e be f r, the It will be interesting to see ho w this eie,!-ehee• repeat.. edly appears. ":A despatch from the Danish Minister at s t Petersburg, dated April 26, says that a Russian statesman, whose opinion deserves attention, se . snores that the Danish Government is not inclined to make the required concessions, which would run cou nter to the prevalent opinion in Denmark. France doesi,not wish for war, but as is universally believed in St. P etersburg, fora condition of affairs which would ultimately facilitate the execution of her plane, and especially revder possible the appli cation of universal suffrage, by which means she would, be abl e t o o btain territory in Germany, if even of quite an unimportant character. It is.even asserted that the Swedish armaments result from French mflueuce, that Sweden may derive some advantsgo from possible events. "Upon the I.ozti May the same ambassador writes: The Vice-Chancellor (Prince Gor'schalcofc) boa used the expression, " the union of I= , i " lu me for the first time,observin - r that G i achl not renounce this condition, bat thatert=olvr°ll:eleds advantageous circumstances might result in its execution, and that I. , t l n t ssia ' will give . us her assist. ante in this regard. must t be for you,' continued the Prince, by not being stubborn to the con ference, to render the task of the friends of Den. mark easier.' 4s upon the 27th the ambassador writes:—` The Vice-Chancellor to'd me that from hia informaiion t;.e must apsume the 4isrofmberent of the monarchy would be 1 - 'referred by Denmark to personal union, which would render the maintenance of the in tegrity posfiible. With regard to the London treaty, Prince Gortschakoff declared that he, for his part, could not accept any reproach ; that he had warded us of the dangers our policy was pre paring for us, and that he had neither notified before the war, nor at the present time, that we attaened great value to the integrity of the mo narchy. . . It is my impression that if the King's Government endeavoured to obtain the per sonal union unreservedly and complete, Russia would support this combination without going to war. Russia would consider this the only means, under existing circumstances, of maintaining the integrity of the monarchy: . . Your excellency will be already aware that the idea has at last oc curred to the Cabinet of Vienna to propose to Den mark to enter into an alliance with Germany. By this means the integrity of the monarchy would be ' preserved. To judge by the prevalent opinion among us (the Danes) this idea would unquestion ably be rejected; but provided we could lay aside a feeling which, perhaps, may not outlive the pre sent generation, it must be admitted that the plan might bring forth good fruits without neces sarily injuring the Danish nationality. It would not cut as off from future development ; it would give us a prominent place on account of our naval strength ; it would permit us to keep on the most friendly footing with our Scandinavian neighbours; it would possibly place Sweden in the same relation to Germany as previous to 1848. Of all the great Powers it would only be distasteful to France, but the part played by that Power at the present crisis does not seem such as to require one to take into consideration what she may think convenient. The ambaesador goes on to state that in case the monarchy should be dissolved, the Russian Empe• ror would probably declare for the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, and that his claims would also be advo• cated by Prussia. " Upon the Ist June the ambassador reports : ' Now that England has abandoned the Treaty of London—a course at which France is not displeased —Ruaeia cannot stand alone in its maintenance. The Russian Emperor has, under these circum. stances, determined to make over his rights to the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, who, according to the opinion of the Imperial Cabinet, would be a less un pleasant neighbour than the Duke of Augustenburg, the latter being to a certain extent a rebellious sub ject, and having taken up an unquestionably hostile position towards Denmark. . . The sudden and un foreseen attitude of England with regard to the London Treaty, it is assumed here, results from the English statesmen having found no inclination among us to consent to personal union with the two Duchies, by which, in their opinion, as in that of the Russian Government, considering the situation brought about by the war, the integrity of the monarchy could only be preserved. It is considered here that the integrity of the monarchy has been sacrificed to considerations of internal policy. Considerations of foreign policy would not have brought it about with absolute certainty.' The ambassador then refers to the line of separation, and continues :—' Provided the settlement of the frontier produces difficulties, the opportunity would not then present itself for returning to a basis, which unreservedly accepted, might still maintain the monarchy in its integrity.' " A despatch of the 9th June says : " ' Prince Gortschakoff assumes that the Holstein Estates will be convoked as to the future of the severed portions of the country, and that there are influential men in Holstein who have not declared in favour of the Prince of Augustenberg. With these he considers negotiations might be carried on, so that the autonomy of the separated portions might be secured while the integrity of the monarchy was preserved, as an expression of opinion of these men might b© made use of by the Cabinets.' " Terrible Conflagration in Lincolnshire. About 10 o'clock on Friday morning a fire, attended with most disastrous results, broke oat in Billing hay. It was first discovered at the corner of the main street leading to Lincoln, on the roof of a thatched hovel in a yard belonging to a man named William Scott, wood dealer. The wind at the time was blowing a gale frcm the west, and the sparks flew in all directions. The flames quickly extended to the remaining buildings in the yard, and thence the burning straw was blown upon a thatched cot tage and outbuildings belonging to Robert Newton, a carrier between Sleaford and Lincoln. The build ing was completely gutted, as well as the stable and carthouse, with other buildings adjoining. The flames next communicated to a brick and thatched cottage, which was levelled with the ground in a few minutes, all the furniture being destroyed. They then extended across the road in an easterly direction and two brick and thatched cottages were quickly on fire, and were soon consumed with nearly all their contents. In the rear was a quantity of farm build ings and produce, none of which escaped, The flames then appeared to make a sudden leap and reached a row of cottages across another street. One of these, occupied by Robert Wilson, and another by John ,Stevenson, were burnt to ruins, As well as many useful farm buildings in the rear. An oat stack, hovel, and pigstye belonging to C. Croft were also consumed. The most serious loss, however, was that Of Thomas Gilbert. The house was a substantial stone building with thatched roof, which had recently undergone ex tensive repairs. Nothing but the walls remain. In the yard were two oat stacks, two haystacks, three straw stacks, stables, and other outbuildings, none of which escaped, and it was only with the greatest possible difficulty that au adjoining stack yard was saved. The Primitive Methodist Chapel opposite was also burnt out, as well as a cottage in the occupation of William Gadaby, The produce of two acres of wheat, adjoining a stack of wheat the produce of four sores, belonging to W. Sharp, was totally consumed, and the poor fellow was not insured. Beyond this long list of terrible disasters a quantity of furniture was destroyed in removal, nearly all the houses in the village in the imme diate neighbourhood of the fire being cleared out. At the spot where the fire originated, a fat pig, which the owner had given £4 for a few days ago, was burnt to death, and at another place three or four pigs were buret. The hour at which the fire broke out was rather unfortunate, as moat of the cottagers were out in the harvest field. As soon as the alarm was given they quickly returned, to find the comfortable home they had left only a few hours before a smoking mass of ruins. The Billinghay engine was quickly got out, but owing to the long distance from which the water had to be fetched it was some time before it could be made of much ser vice ; when, however, it commenced it proved very useful, and a messenger being sent to Tattershall soon arrived with another engine, and between the two, with other help, the spread of the fire was somewhat prevented. The high wind, however, did not allow of much help being rendered to the burn evening lnitteroperty, and it was only with th© utmost ex ertion that the conflagration could be checked. To wardsalthough the thatch further outbreakwin is hoped, \ a)rnastery was obtained over it, . and if the wind and straw continue burning it upon the sufferers, dabates, there will not be any 1 The loss will fall very heavily few of o t f u whom are insured, and r as they arc generally nbee.agcceozodated with poorer class the occur. mune is a most diatressingeo women, and children have to foorolroom, and Nearly 100 men, temporary lodgings in the villa their sufferings must bo very g reat as they have lost their littl e all. It is toombeehtime, that steps will be pro m ptl y taken to afford the e d temporary relief. Th e b es t poss ib le order prevaile d , the local police rendering efficient service ; and n?arly every man, woman, and child in the village turned out to give assistance. [A DirEllTlSEMENL.l — Hollowny's Ointment and Pills.— Th e Knife, superseded.—All afflicted with ulcers, diseases o f the bones and inflammations of the joints should read this testimonial to the curative powers of these healing and purifying remedies. Mr John Allen, 17, Denmark-street, bad d L u e r i n e g s t e w r h , i s ( nff ul e o r n e d g severely dh e from wa s a under r foot r t g b i r c a t l h t r r e e e a y u e n u e r n s t , without any perceptible benefit. He resolutely objected to amputation, which seemed the only course open, till he providentally tried Holloway's remedies. These gave him great relief, and at last completely cured him. Spots, blemishes, sores, and skin diseases arising from impoverished blood or a reckless course of life, may be removed by Ihe judicious use • and e f Holloway's olntmen. 4. pill s. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER le, 1864. Naval and Military Intelligence. The reinforcements of Royal Engineers, selected from the depot and other companies at head-quarters, Brompton Barracks, Chatham, to augment the companies of Royal Engineers serving at Malta and the other stations in the Mediterranean, were inspected at the Royal Engineer Esta blishment yesterday, prior to their proceeding from head quarters to embark on board the vessel taken up for their conveyance by the Government. The War Department transport Marlborough yesterday went alongside the Ordnance-wharf in Chatham harbour and shipped seven of the large 100 pounder wrought iron smoothbore 61 ton guns, together with a number of light Armstrong guns, with which she afterwards dropped down the river to the ironclad frigate Achilles, 20, 1,250 horse polver, which will receive the remainder of her armament in the course of a few days. A letter received from the Channel squadron describes the great sailing success which has attended the ironclad frigate Enterprise, 4, 160 horse power, Commander Rowley, in her trials with the other vessels composing the iron fleet. The Enterprise, it appears, beat every other ship on a wind with the single exception of the flagship Edgar, 71, Capt. G. T. Hornby, which was only about 100 yards before her on a four hours' sail. The new breech loading gun manufactured at the Royal gun factories in Woolwich Arsenal on Mr Westley Richards' principle, which fired a couple of rounds a few days ago at the proof butt with charges of 101 b and 151 b of powder respectively, has been returned to the factory for examina tion. It has been found necessary, therefore, to delay the continuation of the proof sine die. The block by which the breech loading apparatus is closed was found, alter each round, to have considerably expanded, and the pro cess of closing the breech was after the second round proved impracticable. Mr Richards, who was present at the proof, suggested the application of a rough file on the spot, in order to render the mechanism available without much delay, so as to admit of a continuation of the proof by firing two additional rounds, with a relative increase of 51b each charge. The expansion of the block, after the second round, was found to have increased to such an extent that a com plete reorganisation, if the gun be again brought forward for proof, will be absolutely necessary. Major-Gen. E. C. Warde, C. 8., commanding the garrison at Woolwich, attended by his Aid-de-Camp Capt. A. H. W. Williams—Major R. J. Hay, Brigade Major—Capt. W. C. Nangle, Deputy-Assist.• Quartermaster-Gen.—and other officers, went down to Warley yesterday and inspected the 3d division of the depot, Royal Artillery, in command of Brevet-Col. W. F. Hay, in continuation of his half-yearly inspection of the district under his command. The following appointments and promotions have been made at the Admiralty :—Lieut. Charles R. Forest, to the Bombay—Lieut. John G. V. Holbrook, to the St, Vincent— Dr George Duncan, surg. to the Esk—William Crawford, surg., to be surg.-superintendent to the Porchester convict ship—the Rev. J. B. Smyth, to be chaplain and naval in structor to the Brisk—Silas H. Liddell, second master supernumerary, to the Victory—James Carlisle, acting chief engineer, to the Fisgard, as supernumerary —William Giles, engineer, to the Fisgard, as supernumerary—George West, of the Fisgard, for the Bustler, and John W. Smith, super numerary of theFisgard, confirmed as engineers—John B. Grant, assist.-engineer, to the Hector—Henry Hall, assist,- engineer, to the Brisk—W. Nicholson, assist-engineer, to the Fisgard, for hospital treatment—R. Stevens, of the Royal George, F. Baldwin, of the Warrior, Charles 'Ware, of the Adventure, G. P. Bissaker, of the Marlborough, H. R, Wills, of the Sutlej, and G. Hastay, supernumerary of the Asia, promoted to be engineers —and G. H. Newbury, of the Finfly, to be acting engineer. THE VOLUNTEERS. The " amended rules" issued by the National Rifle Asso ciation for competitive trial of rifles for 1865 are as follows : —l. The annual competitive trial of rifles shall take place at Woolwich, commencing at 11 o'clock a.m., on the 22d of November next. 2. Each competitor shall furnish six com plete rifles of precisely similar description. 3. The condi tions as to bore, weight, pull of trigger, stocks, sights, shall be as follows :—A. Bore. Minimum, 451. B. Weight. Maximum, 101 b. The barrele and stocks not to be weighed separately. C. Length of barrel, 33 inches, D. Pull of trigger. Minimum, 61b. E. stocks.; Half stocked, All the barrels of any one set of rifles may be fired from the same stock. F. Sights. Regulation Enfield, but so arranged as to admit of any other sights being subsequently fitted to the rifles. 4, Any person intending to compete shall, on or before the 22d of October next, pay an entrance fee of £lO, and shall at the same time sign a letter to the secretary in the annexed form accepting the conditions of competitions as here laid down. Each competitor may enter more than one description of rifle, subject to these regulations and to the payment of an additional entrance foe of £lO for each additional set of rifles. 5. The riles shall be delivered at the office of the Association before 11 o'clock a.m. on the 21st of November, and shall •be tested and examined be tween the hours of 12 and 5 p.m. on that day, in presence of the Council, by the Superintendent of the Royal :mall Arms Factory. The rifles delivered by any competitor will not be accepted without the certificate of such super intendent that the conditions Nos. 2 and 3 have been complied with by such competitor, 6. Each competitor shall, previous to the trial, fill up and sign the annexed paper, stating the particulars of hie rifle and ammunition, and the price of the rifle, 7. The charge and ammunition used by the competitors at the trial shall be the same in all respects as stated by him is such paper. 8. The price of the rifle shall in no case exceed £2O ; and shall include the cost of a disc aperture back-sight with Vernier scale and a covered slot foresight with graduated laterial adjustment. The rifles must admit of these sights being fitted to them. 9. These rifles of each set shall be taken indiscriminately for trial, and these shall be numbered, from Ito 3. The rifles shall be tried in the order in which they are numbered. 10. The order of shooting shall be de termined by lot, to be drawn by the secretary not less than 15 days previous to the 22d November, A letter will be assigned accordingly to each competitor for each set of rifles delivered by him. Notice will be given to each competitor of the letter drawn for him. 11. Letter A, rifle No. 1, shall commence the trial ; letter B, rifle No. 1, will then be taken, and so on in succession; and after the rifles No. 1 have been fired, then rifles No. 2 will be fired, commencing with letter A. The firing shall be continued from day to day with the letter and number next in order after the rifle last fired on the previous day. 12. The rifles shall be fired from fixed mechanical rests, Government rests shall be assigned by lot to such competitors who do not bring their own.* 13. Each competitor shell be responsible for the adjustment, fitting, and general condition of the rest used by him dur ing the trial. Each competitor shall either be present to fire his rifles, or shall appoint a representative to do so. 14. The distance fired at shall be 1,000 yards. Eight trial shots shall be allowed for each rifle before the 30 competitive shots are fired. Thirty competitive shots shall be fired con secutively from each rifle. 15. No cleaning during the 30 competitive shots shall be allowed. 16. The diagrams giving the mean radial deviation and taken as at the School of Musketry at Hythe shall decide the figure of merit of the t itl e s. 17. The description of rifle that gives the best figure of merit shall be selected as the ono with which the Queen's Prize, second stage, shall be competed for at the ensuing prize meeting of the association. 18, The figure of merit determining the best description of rifle shall be the aver age of the three rifles of one description. 19. No mechani cally fitting loading rods shall be used. 20. Competitors may use the clinometer to take the angle of elevation, which shall be recorded by an officer appointed for that pur pose. The clinometer may also be used to readjust the angle of elevation during trial, but only in presence of this officer, and with the sanction of a member of the Council, or:some person appointed by the Council. 21. No telescope shall be used by competitors or spectators after the trial shots. 22. Competitors shall either be present thetnse:ves or appoint some one to be present at the target when the dia grams are taken off. They or their representative shall sign the diagram, which shall also be countersigned by the secretary, or by some person appointed by the Council. 23. The secretary shall select one of the three successful rifles to be kept by the Council as a pattern arm. 24. The suc cessful competitor shall be required to supply to the asso ciation, by the Ist of May, 1865, 60 rifles, which shall in every respect be similar to the pattern arm, except that they are to be fitted with a back-sight and foresight of the description mentioned inCondition 8, and the price of which shall not exceed that stated in the annexed paper. The 60 rifles, when supplied, shall be submitted to the Council, and such an examination of them will be instituted by the Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory as tvill satisfy the Council of the perfect soundness of the rifles and of their conformity with the pattern arm. Every rifle which he shall certify to be net made in accordance with the pattern arm will be rejected, and the competitor shall supply another rifle in lieu thereof, which shall be sub mitted to examination in the like manner. 25. The suc cessful competitor shall supply at a fair price such quantity of ammunition, of the same quality and kind as used by him at the Woolwich competition, as may be required for the sighting of the rifles previous to the Wimbledon meet ing, and for the use of the competitors in the second stage of the Queen's prize. 25. Subject to the above regulations the competition will be conducted under the direction of the Council, or their officer appointed for the purpose whose decision is in all cases to be final. (Here follows a copy of the form of paper to be filled up by the competitor.) The shooting for the prizes of the sth Middlesex Admi nistrative Battalion Rifle Volunteers (the 26th Middlesex), Her Majesty's Customs, and 42d Middlesex(Shliatharine's Dock Company), un•ter the command of Lieut.-Colonel Grey, took place, by rho kind permission of Lieutenant- Col. Davis, at his range at Cranbrook-park, II:ord, on the 29th ult. and three following days. The firing was origi nally commenced at the range rented by the battalion at Plaistow, but in consequence of an injunction having been issued to prevent shooting there, an interruption took place which somewhat affected the number of competitors on sub sequent occasions, In an other respects the meeting has been most successful. Higher scores were made in some in stances than those returned as having won prizes; but, as they were made by men who were disqualified by the rule * Facilities will be afforded by the Superintendent of the ILval Laboratory at Woolwich for competitors to fit their slide bare to the tests any time previous to the trial. which forbids any one to take more than one prize except in the case of the challenge cup, money, and private prizes, they are not shown. Wimbledon targets and marking, ex cept for the Challenge Cup. Ensign Phillip's prize-An University pewter, to be shot for by five members of No. 1 Company who completed the most drills by the inspection five rounds at 250 yards-Private Kneller, 12 marks. Mr Frederick Besley's prize -A silver cup for second class shots of the 26th Middlesex; seven rounds, 200 and 500 yards- Colour-Sergeant Ayris, 37 marks. Mr J. B, Hale's prize, value £5, for second class shots of the sth battalion and Customs Volunteers at the outports ; five rounds at 200 and 500 yards-Colour-Sergeant Barnes, 25 marks. Captain Jones's prize, value £5 ; same conditions as preceding, seven rounds at 300 yards-Sergeant Cresswell, 16 marks. Money prizes shot for by the 26th Middlesex and Volunteers of country corps in the Customs' Service, five rounds at 200 and 600 yards. Entrance fee 2s 6d each. Country corps free. Private Christian, 27 marks, £3O, won tie ; Private Oram, 27 marks, £lO ; Private Minter, 24 marks, £lO, won tie; Staff-Sergeant Lakemen, 24 marks. £5; Sergeant Stevens, 23 marks, £5. Captain Dobell's prize, a silver cup, for second class shots of the 26th Middlesex and Cus toms' Volunteers at the outports, five rounds at 200 and 500 yards-Lieutenant Burton, 25 marks. The Hon. Mrs F, Goulburn's prize, for first-class shots of the sth battery and Customs' Volunteers at the outports. five rounds at 300 and 600 yards-Sergeant Stevens, 27 marks. The Lieutenant-Colonel's Prizes--First, a silver cup, second, a ring; third, a Robinhood pouch-same rules as preceding prize, five rounds at 200 and 600 yards-Sergeant Fry, 30 marks-Sergeant Cotteman, 21 marks-Private Boddy, 18 marks. Major Hamel's prize.-A silver cup for second class shots of the sth battalion and Customs Volun teers, at the outports-five rounds, at 200 and 500 yards, Private Jennings, 26 marks. Qurrtermaster Sergeant Wallis's Prize.-A plated tankard, for members of the 26th Middlesex, five rouads, at 200 and 500 yards. Capt. Jones, `26 marks. The challenge cup, value £25, to become the absolute property of any one winning it two years in succession, five rounds at 300 and 400 yards, Hythe target and marking. Captain Jones, 13 points-Sergeant Ste vens, 12 points-Sergeant Stevens won the cup last year. Messrs. Firman's prize. -A silver cup for second class shots of the 25th Middlesex, five rounds at 200 and 500 yards, Private Oram, 27 marks. Major Collet's prize.-A silver cup for second class shots of the sth battalion, five rounds at 200 and 600 yards. Private Edgar, 25 marks. The regimental prize, value £6, for second class shots of the 26th Middlesex, five rounds, at 200 and 300 yards. Pri vate W. H. Barton, 25 marks. Mr Sidney S. Dipnall's prize.--A silver cup, for members of the 26th Middlesex, who have made 12 points in the third class this year, five rounds at 200 and 300 yards. Private Seward, 24 marks. A silver fish knife and fork, value £5, given by a few gen tlemen of the Comptroller General's-office, for Volunteer's of Middlesex Corps in the service of the Customs; five rounds at 200 and 500 yards. Ensign Gardner, 25 marks. Hay's Wharf prizes, value £5 ss, given by the proprietors of Hay's Wharf for No. 6 Company, second class shots ; five rounds at 200 and 300 yards; Sergeant Holttum, 24 marks, a rifle-Colour Sergeant Barnes, 21 marks, a ring Captain Hunt's and Lieut. Wrightson's prizes-a rifle and a silver cup for No. 5 company ; five rounds at 200 and 300 yards. Corporal Woolston, 17 marks, a cup-Private Archer, 16 marks, a rifle. Prizes to the value of over 100 guineas were oompeted tor on Wednesday between the members of the 11th, Capt Corscaden's, or Covent-garden, company of the 22d Middle sex (Queen's Westminster) Rifles, at the regimental ranges on Wormwood Scrubbs. Capt Tyler, the adjutant of the 2d battalion, officiated as umpire, while Capt Corscaden directed the firing. The silver challenge cup, value 70 guineas, which had been subscribed for by ladies, was shot for at ranges of 200, 500, and 600 yards, five shots at each distance. Private Seymour became the winner by a score of 37 marks. This cup must be won three consecutive years by the same member before it can become his absolute pro perty. The cup given by Capt Corscaden, value 10 guineas, was competed for in five shots at 300 and five shots at 600 yards, and wen by Private Johnson with 40 marks. The next prize was Lieut Lewin's Cup, value five guineas. The ranges were 200 and 550 yards, five shots at each distance, Private Clark won with 27 marks. Ensign Laurence's cup, value five guineas, was shot for at the 250 and 500 yards ranges, five shots at each, and won by Sergeant Booking with 27 marks. The fifth prize shot for was one of the value of seven guineas, presented by Mr Barringer, representative of the central committee. Private Webster was the winner with 24 marks, The Honorary Members' Prize was won by Private Seymour, who made 2,5 marks. The fifth annual Enfield rifle prize meeting, open to all England, of the Cinque Ports Artillery and Volunteer Rifles, commenced on Tuesday, at the ranges erected at North Down, between Margate and Broadatairs. Private W. Dutton, of the 22d Kent, was the winner of the first prize, a Steward's Lord Bury's telescope and £3 10s, with the extraordinary score of four consecutive bull's eyes and a centre, out of five rounds, at 500 yards, thus making 19 out of a possible score of 20. In the contest for the Isle of Thanet prize, worth £2O, divided int.) four parts, the first prize being £6, Private Mortloek, in shooting off, stood first, havingimade two centres and a bull's aye. In class B, including the competition tor a gold watch value £2O, for the greatest aggregate score daring the meeting, the amount was £5O, divided into ten prizes. The first, £l5; second, £10; third, £7 lOs ; fourth, £5. Between 70 and 80 en tries had been made for theme prizes. Captain Williams, 19th Middlesex, with a score of 30, won the first prize; Pri vate Dixon, 7th Cinque Ports, the second ; Corporal Gould, 37th Middlesex, the third. On the third day the first busi ness was to settle the extra prizes of the meeting. In the first series, the first prize in money and a Stewards Lord Bury Telescope, was won by Private Dutton, 22d Keut ; second prize and telescope, Private Barfield, 9th Kent; second series.-lst prize, *Private Deighton, 14th Mid.le sex ; 2d, Private Andrews, St. George's. Third series-let prize, Private Deighton; 2d, Private Bohn, 16th Middle sex. The grand contest of the day was for class C. he sum of £5O divided into 10 prizes-Ist, of £l5; 2d prize, £10; 3d, £7 10s; 4th, £5. In addition to these prizes a gold watch, value 20 guineas, to he presented to the competitor making the highest aggregate score at the B and C classes -ranges 400 and 500 yards. Sergeant Montgomery, of the 30th Middlesex, and Private W. Dutton, of the 22d Kent. had tied for the highest aggregate score with 56 each, and on shooting off Private Dutton won; but was subse quently beaten by it being announced that a score of 58 had been made by Private Deighton, of the 14th Middlesex, On Monday the return match between the Wisbech and Ely Rifle Corps was shot off at the Wisbech range, eight members of each corps, the competitors being with one ex ception the same as at the first match. The distances were 200, 400. and 500 yards, seven shots at each distance. The Ely again won, beating their opponents by 42 marks, the winners making 380 marks, and Wisbech 338. The average of Ely was 47.50, and Wisbech. 42.25. The Norfolk Volunteer Service Association commenced its annual prize competition on Tuesday, at Great Yar mouth. Carbine prizes presented by the town of Yarmouth and open to efficient Artillery Volunteers belonging to the Ist Norfolk battery were shot for at 200 yards, seven shots each. There were 20 competitors, and the first prize (£7 , ) was won by Sergeant-Major Mach. The next competition was for the Officers' Challenge Vase of the value of £4O, open to the officers of all the volunteer corps in Norfolk. The ranges were 200, 500, and 800 yards, seven shots each. There were 12 competitors. During the whole contest the rain poured down in torrents, so that most of the gallant officers shooting were drenched to the skin. The prize was won by Captain Gurney, of the let Norfolk, who, shooting with an Enfield, made at 200 yards two bulls' eyes, two centres, and three outers, or 20 points ; at 500 yards three bulls' eyes, one centre, two enters, and one ricochet, or 19 points ; and at 800 yards ono bull's eye and two centres, or 10 points, making an aggregate of 49 points. A competi tion succeeded for prizes given by the Mayor and town of Yarmouth, open to enrolled and honorary members of all volunteer corps in Norfolk. The ranges were 200 and 500 yards, and the prizes were, first, a piece of plate of the value of £lO, given by the Mayor of Yarmouth ; the second, £6; the third and fourth, £5 each. Corporal Agger, of the 3d Norfolk, was declared winner of the plate, Sergeant Hart of the second prize of £6, and Pri vate Wilson of the third prize of £5. Corporal Gunn won the other prize of £5. In a contest open to all comers, with any rifle, the ranges were 300, 500, and 600 yards, five rounds each; and the first prize was £lO, the second £5; £2 for the best score at each range. There were 44 ocm petitors. The first prize was won by Captain Hawker, of the South Middlesex, who made a total of 52 points. Cor poral Ringer was second with 47. At the recent distribution of prizes in Leicestershire by Mrs 11. St. John Holford, Private Kelsey received Mr Tur ner's challenge cup. Private Anderson was presented with the Ladies' Prize, £lO cup, shot for at Melton. Private Brookes, with a score nearly equalling that which took the Queen's Medal at Wimbledon, next received Sir Henry Halford's prize (£10), Ensign Biggs, Lieut.-Col. Halford's prize of £7, and Capt. Millican a telescope value £5. Lieut.- Col. Halford, before the presentation of the Duke of Rut land's prize took place, remarked that there was a tie be tween Lieut. Biggs and Capt. Millican, but in shooting off the former was most successful. Ensign Biggs then re ceived, at the hands of Mrs Halford, £2O and a handsome silver medal commemorative of the occasion, and Captain Millican the second prize of £5. For Major Clarke's prize of £5, for the highest score made by the competitors in the Ladies' Prize, or first stage of the Duke of Rutland's prize and Sir 11. Halford's prize, there was a tie between Private Brookes and Lieut. Smith, both having made 74 points. In accordance with their desire, the money was divided be tween them. The last prize, presented by Mrs Halford, was one to the Lieut.-Colonel himself, he having that day won the minitbly challenge cup, presented by Mr W. Brookes, to encourage shooting for the Queen's Prize at Wimbledon. A return match between eight members of the 9th Devon, and eight numbers of the let Devon Rifles took place on Tuesday. The proceedings were watched by a largo com pany of spectators with great interest. The shooting was at 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards, five rounds each distance. The 9th representatives made a gross score of 390 against 358, and consequently won the match. The first prize shooting of the 12th Devon Artillery took place on Friday, the 2d inn. 12 detachments took part in the competition, money prizes being awarded to those making the highest aggregate score. Eight-inch hollow shot were fired from heavy guns on a temporary platform at a target, consisting of a small red flag, distant 1,700 yards;. Major SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. Palmer, R.A., acted as umpire, and considered the shooting had been good. Battery Sergeant-Major Moore took first prize, and Sergeant Stephens second. Out of 48 shots fired, 8 bulls' eyes and 11 centres were scored. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE, CALEDONIAN. The report of the directors states that, after pay ment of the dividends on the preference stock and shares, amounting to £47,718, there remained £122,574, out of which the directors recommended a dividend on the ordinary stock of the company at the rate of 61 per cent, per annum, leaving a sur plus of £2,992 to be carried to the credit of the con tingent filed, which would then, after certain de ductions, amount to £11,326. The revenue and working expenses, contrasted with those of the cor responding period in 1863, showed that the revenue amounted to £468,950, against £409,318, showing an increase of £58,732, and the working expenses amounted to £182,113, against £165,381, showing an increase of £16,732. The working expenses were £3B 18s per cent. against £4O 8s per cent. of the receipts. The expenditure of capital during the half year amounted to £300,946, which was repre sented by lands, works, and plant for new branches to the amount of £217,238, by additional land, works, and plant to meet the requirements of the rapidly expanding traffic on the other sections of the railway to the amount of £22,043, and by the company's subscriptions towards the capitals of the Wemyss Bay, the Bushby, and the Portpatrick railways, £61,667, The Cleland, Stonehouse, and Leith branches were about to be opened for goods and mineral traffic, and the Rutherglen and Coat bridge branch was approaching completion. Acts were granted in the last session of Parliament to sanction an agreement for the use by this company of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Company's line to the harbour of Glasgow, and the formation of a joint station at the harbour, the company being thus enabled to modify their own Harbour Branches Bill so as to save them the cost of an independent access; to authorise the construction of a short branch to Tennochside for the mineral traffic of the district; to sanction the company's acquisition of the Hamil ton and Strathaven Railway ; and to enable this and the Glasgow and South Western Company to make a branch from the Glasgow and Paisley joint line to Govan, on the south bank of the Clyde below Glasgow, and to improve the access to the Eglinton goods station. The company suc cessfully opposed during the past session the several schemes promoted to their disadvantage, with the exception of the Glasgow City Union, which, sup ported by neighbouring companies in breech of their engagements to the Caledonian, received the sanction of Parliament. The capital account showed that £10,241,658 had been expended, leaving a balance against the company of £90,291. The re venue account for the half-year ending the 31st of July showed that £476,250 had been received and £192,730 expended in working the traffic, £4,996 for feu duty and ground rent, £56,682 interest on loans, £2,609 debentures, and £48,940 for guarani. teed dividends, leaving a balance of £170,292. PETERBOROUGH, WISBEACH, AND SUTTON. An extraordinary and general meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, 41, Par liamentary-street ; Mr. Fox in the chair. The notice convening the meeting having been read, The CITAIRMA.N proposed a series of resolutions to the following effect :—That pursuant to the powers contained in the Company's Act of last Session there should be created 5,250 shares in the undertaking of £2O each, such shares to be denomi. need A shares; that the shares of the company created by the company's Act of 1863, numbered from 1 to 9,000 and amounting in the aggregate to £lBO,OOO should be cancelled, the owners of the 3,441 shares issued having consented to surrender them, and that there should be created in lieu thereof 7,500 shares of £2O each, to be denominated B shares, and 1,500 shares of £2O, to be denominated A shares; that the A shares created by these reso lutions, amounting in the aggregate to £135,000, should be issued on the conditions that the holders of such shares should not be entitled in any finan cial year to any dividend on such shares until the owners of the B shared had had assigned to them a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum; and that the A and B shares should be disposed of in such manner and to such persons as the directors might think fit. Mr. HUNT seconded the resolutions, which were carried nem con. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proci.:edings. Railway Traffic Returns for the Week. Miles Opened. Receipts. Railways. ~,,....-d, - -,,.., _ -___"....-____, 1864. 1863. 1854. 1863. £ £ Belfast and N. Counties 136 136 2,3" 2 2.471 Belfast and County Down 49 49 750 721 Blyth and Tyne 2B 28 2,190 1,847 Bristol and Exeter l2ll 1211 7,654 7,279 Caledonian 2621 2441 19,444 19,111 Cambrian 9l 81 1,916 1,6)3 Cockermouth & Workington Bl 81 389 329 Cork and Bandon 2O 20 358 3)2 Cork, Blackrock, & Passage f 61 210 374 Cork and Youghal . 324 321 533 510 Cornwall 651 53 2,064 1.7u5 Deeside l7 17 519 383 Dublin &11-elfast Junction 63 63 1,517 1,501 Dublin and Drogheda 75 75 1,713 1,863 Dublin and Meath Dub. & Wicklow and Wextd 9ll 51 4,137 3,630 Furness, &c 5O 5J 3,355 3,043 Glasgow & South-Western Gt. Eastern,Zlrlk.,&E.Union Great Northern 287 351 35,370 32.951 Great North of Scotland 5B 58 1,815 2.045 Gt. Northn. & Westn. (Irel.) 7ll 71 671 531 '4t.Southn. & Westn.(lrind.) 2874 3511 8,437 8,801 Great Western 1205 1153 73,9 i 7 65,595 Hull and Ilornsea l3 - 153 - Inverness & Aberdeen June 1064 1061 1,855 1,625 Inverness & Perth Junction 1191 - 2,.. , 50 - Irish North-Western 145 145 1,597 1,745 Kent Coast 27 10 2,950 125 Lancashire & Yorkshire 403 3951 43,387 39,356 Limerick and Ennis. Limerick and Foynes 261 261 95 111 Llanelly l6l 461 795 731 London & North-Western London and Blackwall i 51 5 2,115 2,00 J London & South-Western Loud. Brighton, dc S. Coast London, Chatham, & Dover 721 721 8, 0 5 3 6 452 Do. Metropolitan Extension 114 101 2,415 1,335 Man.,Shetlield, & Lincolnsh Manch. S.Jun.& Altrincham 9l 91 1,449 1,302 Alarrport and Carlisle Metropolitan Midland (incl. N.-Wcstern) 641 641 52,147 48,403 Midland Gt.Wcstn. of Irind 262 259/ 5,905 5,524 Monkland Monmouthsh. Rail. & Canal l4 44 2,990 2,816 North British, Edin., Perth and Dundee N-Eastern and Stock. & Darl 1095 1095 65,%00 59,285 North London 9 9 3,373 3,u55 North Staffordshire 251 252 8,755 8,345 lihymney l9l 191 1,031 744 Scottish Central Scottish North-Eastern l3B 138 6,062 5,792 Somerset and Dorset 66 391 962 405 South Devon South-Eastern 306 306 31,662 30,506 Taff Vale 57 57 6,027 5,557 Ulster lOl 1051 2,444 2.423 _ Vale of Clwyd. - 255 214 Vale of Neath 43t 431 2,908 2,543 . _ Waterford and Kilkenny 3l - 31 .- 449 4cl Waterford and Limerick 77 77 1,358 1.378 West Cornwall 274 274 855 859 W.Hartlepool Hasbrizßail 524 52} 4,956 5.4?.2 W'havcn,Cleator,& Egrmnt lO 7 742 578 Whitehaven Junction l3 13 1,053 891 Whitehaven & Furness Jun 35 35 097 811 FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. Austrian B2B 825 39,974 33,888 Bahia and San Francisco Belgian Eastern J unction 264 264 336 318 Bombay, Baroda, & Cen. India 1854 1854 2,057 1,067 Detroit and Milwaukie lB5 185 Dutch Rhenish Eastern Bengal Eastern of France East Indian . 0331 21,476 18,734 Grand Trunk of Canada - ' 1335 1335 2/,432 18,052 Great Central of Belgium lBO 6,425 Great Indian Peninsula 553 495 6,132 5,703 Great Luxembourg 134 134 4,503 1,932 Great Southern of India Great Western of Canada 345 315 Madras. Madrid, Saragossa &Alicant 650 490 17,805 17,490 Northern of Canada ... ..... 9l 91 1,733 I,oqB Northern of France 697 697 61,711 59,80[ Norwegian Trunk Ottoman __ ... . .- 481 48i 395 368 ___ ... .._ Paris, Lyons, & Mediterrn 1805 1713' 130,827 131,293 Paris and Orleans 1614 1491 72,180 18,038 Pernambuco 774 71 595 452 Royal Danish 69 69 Scinde lO5 105 1,728 2,889 South Austrian 1527 1484 54,896 51,916 Southern of France .. ~.. 770 680 34,326 34,323 Victorian lO6 196 8,778 10,117 Welland West Flanders W. and :N. W. of France TEE WILTSIIIIIE RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.—Lord Palmerston has signified his intention of being present at the presentation of the prices by Lady Herbert of Lea, in Wilton Park, to the successful competitors at the Wilt shire County Rifle Assoriation, and the 300 guineas All • Comers' Meetings, to be held at Laverstock, near Salis• bury, on Wednesday, the 14th inst., and following days. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, September '2l, and the event will be made the occasion of a grand fits in the beautiful and classical gardens at Wilton, The prizes amount in the aggregate to the handsome sum of nearly £7 O O. Lord and Lady Palmerston, with other dis tinguished visitors, will be the guests of Lady Iferbert at Wilton Helve. Tl➢iEs.--The return of Royal Sovereign from her second experimental cruise recalls our atten tion to the question of Cupola Ships and the treat ment of Captain Coles's invention by the Admiralty. The history of this innovation in naval architec ture, short as it is, is long by comparison with that of other so called improvements which have been adopted one year only to be superseded the next. The cupola principle has now been before the world for nine years; it was strongly recommended for use in the Russian War by a committee of eminent naval officers in November, 1855 ; it was submitted to a crucial test in April, 1862, by the formal selec tion of the Royal Sovereign for the purpose of con version ; it has since been the subject of constant discussion among naval engineers, and it has under. gone a final ordeal in the late voyages of the Royal Sovereign. It is now time that the public should be informed whether it has or has not succeeded. If not, or if its value has been so impaired by more re cent experiments in gunnery or armour-plating that it has ceased to be worth adopting, let us not throw good money after bad. Captain Coles will still be entitled to our gratitude for the labour which he has upended upon what appeared, not only to good judges in this country but to onr American rivals, a most promising discovery, and no one will think that he has been unduly rewarded by the £5,000 assigned to him in 1862 by the Admiralty. If, on the contrary, Captain Coles has performed all that he undertook, and the seagoing qualities of shield-bearing ships have been fully verified by ex perience, the sooner we avail ourselves of this im portant result by the construction of similar vessels the better for the efficiency of our Navy. In order to understand the merits Of the case, so far as they can be grasped by landsmen, we must recur to the original proposals of Captain Coles, and the original objections urged against them. Captain Coles's original model was adapted to gunboats with a light draught of water, and capable of carrying heavy guns over the shallow waters of the Baltic or Black Sea. After the war with Russia was at an end he still advocated the same design, with some slight modifications as applicable to coast de fences. It was with reference, we believe, to this object that the experiments which first convinced the Admiralty of its utility were carried out in the Trusty, and the exploits of the Monitor occurring a few months afterwards placed the defensive advan tages of turret ships beyond dispute. The real doubt was whether they would be suitable for service on the high seas. Capt. Coles boldly asserted that they would and pledged himself to build two classes of ships against all competitors, the one shot proof rafts for the defence of harbours, the other seagoing fri gates and line.of-battle ships. "I will undertake," he said, "to prove that on my principle a vessel shall be built nearly:looft. shorter than the Warrior, and in all respects equal to her with one exception, that I will guarantee to disable and capture her in an hour; she shall draw four feet less water, require only half the crew, and cost the country for building at least £lOO,OOO less." The Admiralty did not think proper to accept this challenge, but they made over the Royal Sovereign, an old three-decker, de-. signed by Sir W. Symonds, to be transformed into a 12-gun shield-ship on Capt. Coles' plan. Many were the misgiving of naval men as to the working of the turret principle in a ship of this size. It was at first suggestei that it would be impossible for her to carry masts at all, owing to the great space re quired for the "training" of the guns. It was next insisted that, even if fitted with only five shields and manned by a reduced crew, she would not con tain sufficient stowage room or accommodation for officers and men. It was predicted that she would never be able to carry her guns at the requisite height above water with all her stores and armament on board. That she would work terribly, and prove very unmanageable in a sea-way, was assumed al most as a matter of course. Now, it is these forebod ings which ought to have been set at rest, one way or the other, by the trial trips of the Royal Sove reign. It must be admitted that Capt. Coles was placed at a great disadvantage in having to operate on a vessel which had not been laid down with aview to such a superstructure as his cupolas. Even if the Royal Sovereign had strained more than she ought in pitching or rolling, allowance should have been made for this circumstance ; but as she had behaved admirably well, and answered all• the expectations of her constructors, it is surely desirable that fur•• ther development should be given to this system. We are far from imr u ing to the Admiralty, as at present constituted, any deliberate wish to suppress the ideas of independent designers. When we are told that no less than 596 suggestions for shot- proof vessels had been submitted to them in the three years previous to 1862, we can almost sym pathise with the official presumption against each new plan that comes before them. It there were anything like agreement among private firms and men of science about the best method of arming ships of war, the Admiralty might be blamed most justly for shutting their eyes to it, but it is noto rious that no such agreement exists. Last year there was a grand conference at the Institute of Naval Architects, where the various projects were most ably represented and canvassed, and the only two points upon which a tolerable degree of unani mity was attained were the superiority of iron to wood, and the probability that greater calibre in guns and greater thickness in plates may yet be achieved. The grand controversy between whole plating and half-plating, es well as all the minor controversies about the depth of immersion, the shape of turrets or central batteries, and their re volving or stationary character, remained unsettled as before. The fault of the Admiralty does not consist so much in its hesitation to give large orders for vessels that may be obsolete before they are launched, or even in its jealousy of competition, as in its persistence in practices which it admits to be exploded, and its neglect of principles which it ad mits to be of high practical value. In short, it is the vis inertia, rather than active obstruction, that has to be overcome. The Admiralty might have been perfectly justified in declining to take up Capt. Coles's theory, or it may possibly be able to show reasons for pronouncing it a failure; but if it is a success, and that in spite of the unfavourable con ditions under which it was tested, why not allow Captain Coles at least to build a man-of-war in his own way ? If he has triumphed over all obstacles, with make-shift materials and assistants who dis trusted his scheme, may we not expect still more satisfactory results if his hands be left free ? It was creditable to the judgment of the Admiralty, as well as to that of another Department of the Government, that Messrs. Laird's steam rams were purchased for the public service, and great things are expected of them, but we are not aware that there is any notion of reconstructing the British navy on this model. Cupola ships would not be a substitute for these, but for the wooden vessels, or iron vessels of an exploded type, which the Admi ralty persist in building, while they confess, if challenged, that they are all but worthless. If in the present transition state of naval architecture we must buy our own experience, and cannot wait to profit by that of our neighbours, let us at least avoid proved waste, and risk our expenditure on attempts that have some claim to approximate towards the ultimate ideal. POST.—It would seem that the German Powers are resolved to wring the submission of Denmark and the patience of Europe to the uttermost, and that they are not only driving a hard bargain usuriously but suicidally, and so as to constitute a precedent which is sure, sooner or later, to be quoted against themselves. t is impossible to dissemble the consequences of this proceeding. Whether Denmark yields to what can only be described as extortion, or whether the extreme pressure provoke a desperate resistance, it is plainly not calculated to promote peace or to restore confidence on the Con tinent. There can be no doubt that Prussia is pri marily answerable for such an iniquitous, and at the same time perilous policy. It must be admitted that Austria has hitherto made war and peace on the principles which actuate great military powers. In Italy and in Hungary, in her triumph and in her humiliation, she maintained the dignity and the forbearance which have preserved to her the respect of Europe. The Government of Vienna has exercised its authority sternly, severely, op pressively ; but it has never descended to mean, ness, nor ever betrayed its martial honour; and, even now, though bound by a new and dubious alliance, Austria will, it is to be hoped, repudiate a transaction which is averse from all her antecedents. Prussia, on the contrary, when successful, has copied the license of brigandage, and when defeated has naturally experienced corresponding treatment. The passion which animated Blucher reigns in the breast of Bismarck ; and forgetting her own mis fortunes, and ignoring an obvious responsibility, deaf to the suggestions of prudence, and insensible to the claims of justice and mercy, it is Prussia that inscribes vice victis! on the flag she has herself more than once furled in the presence of an invadisg army. The Prussian idea carried out, would com pass the destruction of the defeated Power. Prussia has scind the Duchies, and now modestly It - quires a mortgage on the remaining Danish territory to reimburse her for the expellees incurred in the seizure, It is not, however, the money that she wants so much as the security. The right of fore closure is what is really sought. Plainly, the com mand of the Baltic is contemplated. It is the dream of naval power which has inspired this monstrous claim. The demand, it is true, is made in the name of the Duchies; bus that is only adding insult to injury, and the subterfuge is transparent. Now, what is the sum of the ability on which Prussia is presutving ? She is exulting in her might, and re joicing over an ieglorieus victory. 'Tie is the day of her strength—strength acquired by the toleration she is abusing. Austria is her accomplice; the minor German Sovereigns are her satraps, and the people of Germany either her dupes or her slaves. 6 11 , 6 commands a considerable and efficiently equippe d army, a force capable, if well handled, of putting. down any professorial insurrection in Berlin, lA' which Austrian officers believe they could give good account of in the field. For the rest P/110 13 depends on an alliance that is at present simply for' midable in its diplomatic appearance, and o n the reluctance of England and France to engag e prematurely in a war the results of which the/ cannot forecast. The latter is, probably, not the least consideration ; for Count Bismara would hardly have demanded from Dell' mark more than she could with honour and see" lity afford to pay if he had not been intimateli persuaded that he was dictating terms to a fella and friendless nation; and this, that aggravate the criminality and cowardice of the proceeding, i 6 the fatal error which Prussia may not discove r until it is too late to retreat from the position sh e has taken up. Every act arising out of the agg ree sion which has gratified Prussian ambition at the expense of Denmark proves more and more cogentll that it is necessary to maintain some code of inter' national law, and that such a law can only be main, trailed by force of arms. It is too evident that, a ° things now are, the Powers of Europe think thef t may do what seems right in their own eyes, and that the possession of might is often held to const i. tote right. This, however, cannot go on, and ilia c ' way or in another the securities for peace must b e reestablished. Prussia is only heaping fuel on the fire she has kindled, and her avarice can precipitat e the inevitable conflagration. We do not ask the Germans to believe what it is not likely they iv ll ,, now believe until the conviction is brought homely them ; but they might at least take warning frog the history of their own country, and from its actor; condition. Let them place no dependence on the military power of Prussia, for it is neither more Pe`, less than it has been in times past. No doubt the Prussians could have beaten the Danes singl e : handed, and would have done so if Austria had Ile,' for reasons of her own, resolved to keep them l d view. That was altogether an unequal battle, se, one, it should be rem em bered, in which the 'Lyle' people, as a people, did not take part. The invasie r/ , of Denmark Proper would b e qu it e anot h er a ffair: and within the last few years a f ar grea t er Povie' than Prussia has paused in a career of victory ratbe t than accept an extension of the conflict. Many re' cent predictions have not been verified, but it remall?, true that the first cannon-shot fired in the Bahl" will proclaim war on the Rhine and in the Adriej tic. If there ever was a questi o n that ( Matte d moderation it is that which is the subject of disel sion in the Vienna C on f erence . A ccor di ng to law and all reason the liberated Duchies should p 0 , 0; the cost of their liberati on . Th ere i s no meas ure A extortion which, in so far as Europe is concern/ Count Bismarck may not practise upon the peoP i he has emancipated. It i s r i g ht th a t th e y be made to feel practically th e worth of their d'; liverance. But to pretend th a t i n p ar tin g Denmark violently they are entitled to make claim for compensation, either as regards the Soue Dues or the Danish fleet, and, above all, that rr tlll sia is entitled to prefer and support such a elaie i is only not absurd because it has been serious mooted. Prussia is mistaking both her own P° g 4 tion and the position of Denmark. The Dso l monarchy, it should be observed, is intact. Den ; mark has lost nearly half a kingdom, but Nvl' remains to her is her own past all quibble. 1 .100 0 ; are German Powers that hold provinces which not nearly so securely guaranteed to them as t little land he reigns over is to King Christie, They cannot, as he does, rely on the royalty their subjects, and they have forfeit e d, as he ! I , not, the confidence of foreign Powers. Prudenc e " ; for it is, we fear, useless to think of moderation should therefore advise Prussia to hold her Ille l/ ‘ e She has already done more than enough to exael ) rate Europe, and the indignation of powerful 11 1 , ▪ tions has not been restrained without difficult i In this country we have every reason to desire ' , P o the Prussian throne should be sustained. r strengthened; but we can net help seeing the' c policy which is tyrannical to the weak will Pr° o t weak in itself when opposed with its own are i ; and that those who attempt to crush vanquished will, when their turn comes, invoke b , i vain the aid of the justice they denied, and . mercy they refused to consider. COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL—FRIDAY. There was a small attendance of buyers to-day, and 9 must quote wheat about 3d per cental and flour 6LI per barrel and sack cheaper. Oats and oatmeal the ` 6 O easier. Beans scarce, and prices unchanged. Peas barley slow. Indian corn offered freely, and nearly I ° l qr Aecline on the week. STAMFORD—FRIDAY. The supply of wheat at to-day's market was and sales took place at about the previous week's 1 ) 70 —White wheat, 42s o 455;; red, 41s to 438 per 3 6 _,,L 5—, 41 Barley, malting, —s to —8; grinding, 33s to 363.1;0 Oats, 22s to 286 per 24 stone. Beans, old, 40s to ••"" qr.; new, 36s to 425. WAKEFIELD — FRIDAY. * The demand for wheat was slow to-day, and the Pllceioo,o last week rather lower ter both old and new sorts. the turn dearer. Averages for the week : Wheat 712 qrs., at . 45s 19J Oats Barley.... . 160 Peas .. Beans LINCOLN—FRIDAY. 4110 White wheat new, 44s to 48s Barley, grinding.. 27s '''' gl Red do. 405 to 44s Oats,;old, .. ...... 248 to Old white 46s to 50s New do 208 t° 4; Red do. 41s to 455 1 Beans.. 37 $ t° 4; Barley, malting.... 335 t0.36s i Beans, new.. 363 t° C ORK—TriunsnAir. 1 11 The following were the quotations this morning wheat, 8s Od to Ss 6d; white, 8s 3d to 9s Od; barlelp ld to Os Od ; oats, 5s 10d to 6s 3d ; black do., 5$ 6s 0d; bere, 6s 10d. COAL M rrloes of Coal per Ton at s. d. ,KET. the close of the market , 1 0, Byass's Bebside West Hartley ....20 3 Holywell 17 6 Eden Main 19 0 Lambert's West Hart ley 2O 0 Tenfold Moor ....13 9 Clarke's;West Hartley 20 3 Walls End. / 9 , Hartlepool . : 19 East Hartlepool..... • 9 South Hartlepool...... 79 South Kelloe ........i9 Heugh Hall .......... o o Hetton ............. : 79 Braddyll's Hetton .... Pensher Primrose.... .19 Cassop .... Rid dell ....... 1 5 Harton 1 9 Framwollgato •.. Belmont ...... )t, 53 ; sold, 51, Walls End. Tjaswell ...19 6 James 18 3 Wharneliife . 17 9 kielloc• •• • Ships at market Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton. Sep 1 v.ia Marseilles SO'4 &sail and Cape Yards, by British packet. 00t' Cape of Good Hope, Asc ens i on , an d S t . Helena Sept. • 3 China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton SeP t / via Marseilles O 5°P . Falkland Islands 1 1 Gibraltar, via Southampton .. • septt. , ; _._ . . India (Cilcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton.. S° l l . i, via Marseilles.... SeP,.' 1 1 ," 4 India (Bombay), via Southampton via Marseilles Sark , Portugal.... Oct' 1 Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton SeP" 1 via Marseilles • • SeP t ' 1 Newfoundland • Sep t ' Oporto and Vigo ..• .. U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet SeP -- by U.S. packet t, 7 -- by Canadian packet 1 All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, I Sept. California, and British Columbia. 1 ,4 Births. FTEIIB,—On the 7th inst., at Kingswood, Epsom ,„,,t 11 4. 4 of Lieut.-Colonel Fyors, C. 8., 2d Eattn. Ride of a son. VIAN.—On the 9th inst., at The Woodlands, Le 44l the wife of W. J. Vian, Eeq., of a daughter. r oi WOODWARD.—On the 9th inet., at 2, St. James's' Regent's-park, the wife of Lionel Mabbdtt Wo o Esq., of a son. Marriages. BORENHAM—JESSOP —On the Bth inst., at Saint P;lili Cheshunt, Thomas Clifton, eldest son of W. 3h-sof Esq., of Cheshunt, to Catherine 130 Ann, eldest daub the Rev. John Jessop, M.A., of Cheshunt. SALMON—BI tcit.—On the 6th inst., at Trinity - • Bath, Captain H. R. G. salmon, to Harriet FrallePi only daughter of Lieut.-Col. W. C. Birch, of tho Army. Deaths. P t° BAR2ER.—On the 7th inst., at Merton Abbey. fiJ Captain James Barber, formerly of the Hon. 0 1 ' Company's Service, aged 77. 130 4 BUCHANAN.—On the 18th Aug., suddenly, nef , : . „ ey ad Algeria, Colonel James Buchanan, Royal Mar ill ' 71. 00 4 GORE.—On the Bth inst., at Chapel-place, V et-- Montagu Gore, Esq., aged 64. te ll GOULDEN.—On the 7d2 inst., at Canterbury, Mari o tte of the late Thomas Goulden, sen., of S. Georg e s. aged 91. St e MEUIDYTH.—On the 7th inst., at Stockport. Char- t e hope Meridyth, of the Inland Revenue, Some rs° Loudon. -- 11 London: Prin;ed and Prtqlsliecl by WILLIASI , -. --- so , of No. 112, strand, Printer, at Tian Sur; 00 0 , 0 0 Strand, in the Preeinf3t of the lavoy, .n the 1' MlCl),c.llo4.—Saturclay, September 10,1501.