The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-11-03 00:00:00

PERSIA.-GREAT BATTLE.

The following intelligence from Teheran, under
date of ith October, has arrived :
I have already informed you of the depredations com-
mitted on the north-west frontier of Persia by the wander-
ing Turcomans, who are the scourge of that district.
In violation of the treaties existing between them and
the government of Nadir-Eddine-Shah, they plunder
the caravans, sack the frontier villages, and threatened
to attack Mechede, the capital of Khorassan. It was
high time to punish these brigands, as they had already
collected about 30,000 horsemen in the environs of Mero.
Prince Manza Mirza, Governor-General of Khorassan,
resolved to attack the troops so collected, as a victory
would place all the deserts where the Turcomans camp
in the power of the Shah. With that design Prince
Mirza suddenly appeared before the walls of Mero with.
a division of 10,000 infantry, 4,000 irregular cavalry,
and some pieces of cannon. This was in the middle of
the month of Sefer, which, according to the Koran,
should be kept holy and devoted to devout exercises
and pilgrimages. Notwithstanding that, on the dawn
of the following day a desperate conflict began,
and lasted for nine hours without intermission. In
spite of the brilliant charges of infantry, led by
General Mourteza-Kouli-Khan, the struggle might
have continued longer, but for a successful manoeuvre
of the Persian artillery directed by the Prince in person.
The enemy at last fled, leaving from 3,000 to 4,000 of
their number on the plains or Mero. Nearly the same
number of prisoners, including many Turcoman chiefs,
a great number of horses and camels, with immense
quantities of arms, fell into the hands of the victors.
The Persian loss was also very considerable. The brave
General Ali-Kouli-Khan, who, at the beginning of the
battle, commanded the artillery, was severely wounded.
He was still living at the departure of the courier, but
no hopes were entertained of saving him.

ACCIDENTS AT BIRKENHEAD.—Edward Davis, of the
Dock Cottages, and John Hanshaw, were killed on
Thursday last by a block of timber falling upon them.
An inquest on the bodies was held yesterday before Mr.
Churton, the coroner, and a verdict, o!' accidental death
in each case was returned.
ROBBERY AT BIRKENHEAD.--At the Birkenhead
Police Court, yesterday morning, before Messrs. Derby-
shire and Case, four persons, named Ann Parr, John
Duncan, Elizabeth Duncan, and Frances Quelly, were
Placed in the dock on a charge of having robbed a house
in Oliver-street. The greater part of the property
which had been stolen was found in the prisoners' pos-
session; it in,cluded a•quantity of groceries,—butter, tea,
sugar, and some wearing apparel. Mr. Bretherton, who
was engaged for the defence was unable to attend, and
the
cHaEs e
BLUE-COAT
thereforeEc
r remandedcu ooi tillh e
boysr o
Monday.his school,
for some time past, have been undergoing military drill,
under the direction of Mr. A Davies, and from the best
authority we learn that they have shown great aptitude,
and have progressed wonderfully in every way. Some
excellent military judges state that the boys are remark-
ably quick, and go through the evolutions with an
astonishing degree of precision, such as would do credit
to the best disciplined force. This, perhaps, is due to
the attention paid to them, as well as their readiness to
receive instruction ; and we are sure the supporters of
this excellent establishment will feel gratified at being
informed' that the lads are everything that could be
• wished, and we trust it will be a strong inducement to
others (who are able) to come generously forviarei to
aid an institution that deserves much public support,
which. would enable the managers to extend their sphere
of usefulness, and give to the world many persons of
genius that might otherwise perish for want of support.

THE WHITWORTH RIFLE.

The' Moniteur de l'Armee has the following
remarks on the performances of the Whitworth
rifle at Vincenves:—

During the late national rifle match, where the com-
mittee had to class no less than 80,000 shots, the Whit-
worth rifle was tried, in presence of Mr. Whitworth
himself, and by one of his men, against a rifle in the
French Chasseurs. It bad a very decided advantage at
all distances, but it must be mentioned that our rifle,
with a bore of 18 millimetres, competed with one a bore
half less. The Whitworth system seems, however, to be
superior to ours, at least in theory, but it is as yet an
experimental weapon, not a weapon for the soldier. Mr.
Whitworth brought with him the rifle which was used
in the trials ; it was made expressly for the English rifle
match at Wimbledon. If we are not mistaken, General
Guiod, presidelit of the commission, struck with the
results obtained, =lied the inventor if he felt certain of
obtaining the same results with two of his rifles belong-
ing to the French Government. He replied in the
affirmative, but found himself greatly mistaken, for our
Whitworth rifle, though fired by Mr. Whitworth's own
man, an excellent shot, whom he had brought with him,
did not equal the French Chasseur's rifle. The inventor
then examined the weapon, and finding several screws
not tight enough, asked permission to put them right,
which was at once granted. He then went to the workshop
of the fort, took the rifle to pieces, put it together again
in his own way, and came back with it in the after-
noon. The results obtained were much better, being
superior to those with the Chasseur's arm, but inferior
to those given by the rifle which he had brought
with him. Thus it appears that one of his rifles
will carry better than another, and that the least
negligence in putting the weapon together affects the
accuracy of the aim. This is a great defect in a
weapon of war, liable to be placed in the hands of so
many men who may not be over-intelligent or awkward,
and at times tired and hurried. The cartridges are not
admissible for the army ; they absolutely require a small
disc of grease, which would melt in the soldiers' knap-
sack or cartridge-box, and the rifle would then be use-
less. Nevertheless, the Whitworth rifle is a very
remarkable weapon, and demands serious attention ;
for if means should be found to render it rather less
delicate, less precise, and more capable to endure rough
usage, it will give a fearful advantage to troops armed
with it. It is easy to see that this invention will receive
further improvements.

THE NAVAL CAREEI=I, OF THE LATE
EARL OF DUNDONALD.

Our rising naval commanders will derive great profit
from the study of Lord Dundonald's career. While few
seamen can hope to be entrusted with a fleet like that
of Nelson, the command of a small steam sloop or of a
gunboat is within the reach of almost every young and
heroic officer, and affords an opportunity of serving
England well. Should war unhappily break out, we trust
many brave men will seek to rival the exploits of the com-
mander of the Speedy. Our present sailors are at least
equal to their predecessors. On the day of the recent battle
of Santa Maria, six English tars who had obtained leave on
shore from her Majesty's ship Renown, proceeded, from
motives of curiosity, to the camp of Garibaldi, but, when
they had reached it, consented to join in the engagement,
and, having been supplied with arms, captured two
pieces of field artillery, which they turned upon the enemy.
While we do not approve of their interference in a quarrel
which is not that of their Queen and country, we feel a
pride in their valour. We are sure that when duty calls
them to hazard their lives they are capable of the per-
formance of the most heroic deeds. What may we not
expect from such men when commanded by a leader
like Dundonald ? While we glory in a series of great
naval commanders, far beyond the rivalry of any age or
Any country, we are convinced that our naval supremacy
is due, not to their heroism alone, but at least equally
to the excellence of our private seamen, and to the
skill and daring of the captains of single vessels. As
long as English sailors are proverbial for reckless
valour ; as long as they are carefully trained in gunnery
and in other duties of their calling; as long as
English captains are ready to engage ships of treble
their force, Britain must hold the empire of the
sea. Our only fear is lest an ill-judged economy
should expose valuable lives to undue risk and the
credit of our navy to a temporary eclipse. English
seamen care little for the superior numbers of an enemy
but they must be secured against the destruction of their
ships by guns of superior range and shots of more
deadly effect than their own. The early deeds of Lord
Dundonald are worthy to be studied and emulated by
the rising generation of our naval officers. We com-
mend the pursuits of his old age to the consideration of
the Board of Admiralty and of the whole people of
England.--. Herald.