The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1861-01-01 00:00:00

A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL l The year 1860,
which opened With such glowing anticipations,
leas passed away; and 1861 has dawned upon us
amid considerable prosperity, and yet With no
small shalt of aniiety anti. doubt as to coming
events. The lapse of so lengthened a period in
the brief span of our life naturally leads all men,
more or less, to reflection as to the past and the
present, and, as far as possible, to anticipate the
probable future. At such a time, the more
studious, likewise, endeavour to form some
correct and impartial general estimate of the
actual historical value of the past year.
In doing so, it has been usual to offer the trite
prefatory remark that the natural tendency of
men is to exaggerate the influence of the age in
which they live, and the importance of the events
of which they happen to have been the spectators.
The object in making such an observation may be
very good. But we question the accuracy of the
observation, and even the desirability of attempt-
ing to persuade men or nations that the parts they
severally enact in the great drama of the world's
history are of insignificant value. We are
rather disposed to think that the more com-
mon error in men's judgments as to the
bearing of the events of their own era
lies the other way; arfd that few people are
sufficiently alive to the great and lasting effects of
passing events upon the subsequent history of the
world. Cur, any one cast a glance, however cur-
sorily, over the world's doings of 1860, without
being Convinced that, during that period, women-
t9us issues have been raised afresh and sofar dis-
posed of in a way which cannot fail to produce a
permanent impression upon the future progress of
nations? The difficulty, as it appears to us, is in
persuading people to estimate truly the vast con-
sequences for good or for evil which must endur-
ingly flow from current events.

' On looking nbroad, fl e mind is atn.rtlod to find
that ideas of radical change have been developed
in almost every region of the globe with a sudden-
ness and universality unparalleled in past history.
From the regions of republicanism in America to
those of celestialism in China—from the icy
regions of Russia to the fruitful lands whose
shores are washed by the Southern Pacific—in
the new as in the old world—in Asia as in
Europe—all have been commotion. From the
frozen north to the sunny south—from the
rising to the setting of the sun—the cry
has gone forth for an immediate, decisive,
and unsparing revision of the old landmarks, both
political and geographical. England, like a high
and adamantine rock in mid ocean, or like an
elevated and far-reaching beacon-light in the
murky and tempestuous night, has alone stood
steadily, calmly, and scathelessly, while at the
same time a deeply-interested and prudently-
prepared witness of the general turmoil. It
would be difficult to over-estimate the importance
of perhaps the greatest fact of the year, namely,
the marvellous enthusiasm with which a hundred
and fifty thousand Englishmen have voluntarily
armed themselves for the defence of the country.
This achievement of itself has fortified the posi-
tion of England in the eyes of all Europe and of
the whole world to an extent that has set aside
the last remnant of the invasion panic, and has
given Us the assurance that so long as our great
Volunteer force maintains its present highly effi-
cient and promising condition we may defy all
fears of the invader.

The principal feature of the parliamentary
year, as our readers know, has been the utter
failure to realise any of the high-sounding pro-
mises with which it opened, and the waste of the
session upon measures which either had better
never been heard of, or which were in the end
necessarily withdrawn. The tragedy of the
Treaty and Budget, the interlude of the
Reform Bill, the burlesque of the Paper Duty
question, and the costly masquerade of the
two supplementary budgets, made up the prin-
cipal items of the legislative programme.
One of `the very few encouraging facts of the
session of 1860 was the decided and triumphant
progress made by the Parliamentary friends of
,the Church, as proved by the various divisions
on the Church Rates question. The constantly
decreasing number of the abolitionists has struck
dismay into the elaborately organised bands of
the spoilers of the sanctuary, and convinced the
somewhat disunited supporters of our national Zion
that a little more union and energy is all that
is now required to secure for ever, intact, the
ancient properties of the Church of England.
We enter upon 1861 with the pOlitical horizon

of Europe undoubtedly obscured by many dark
and foreboding clouds. The approaching season
will, in all probability, see further great changes
in Italy and in Austria. Who can foresee the
effects of a campaign in which all the resources of
Italy and France may be brought into collision
with those of still-powerful Austria ? Can Prus-
sia stand aloof? Could Russia and England long
remain neutral? A feW Weeks Will likely go fiir
to determine the awful question of European peade
or war. There remains to be solved the perplex-
ing questions—What is to become of Rome and
the POPE ?-of Gaeta and FRANCIS 11. ? And, to
complicate matters still further, there is the
Eastern pus2le involving the enquiries as to the
fate of the sultan's rule and the result of the
French oCcUpatioti of Byria—,-already unduly and
ominously protracted P

One of the most noticeable charaoteriStics of
last year is the Uriusttally icing Catalogue rif rioble
and illtistriolis then Whose deaths it has been our
painful duty from time to time to record. India
has cost us aWILsoN, a WARD, an ELPRINSTONE,
and a DALHOUSIE ; while at home nature has
exacted her universal tribute from a DUNDONALD
and an ABERDEEN. A protracted and severe ill-
ness, which prostrated the most able) eminent,
and high principled of living stlitestaiBn—the
IF.ari. of Dtnn---caused the whole nation) includ-
ing even his political opponents, niuch Uneasiness
for his safety.; but now; fortunately; the country
congiatiilates itself do his restoration to health and
to the prospect or, we hope, a still lengthened
and brilliant career of service to the State. Let

reverence anti affection for the Wise Words and
I:VicirethY iiibasitiatlf ilinsntlistilighisheti statesthen
whan iirovidence has still spared to 'defend the
Throne and Colistitiitioti: With all otir losse§,
calamities
of unpropitious weather, starved
flocks and herds, short harvests, and high
prices, and notwithstanding the local distress
at Coventry and elsewhere, we have, upon
the whole, much reatoh to be
for the measure of peace, plenty and
prosperity with which we begin the new year.
The season is gloomy, and our anticipations fret-
ful and troubled ; but let us hope that He who
has brought this great nation happily through so
many a dark cloud will still be her strength and
shield in the hour of trial aiicl dilciiity, it such
be the Int that now for a tithe awaits hngland:

VoitEIGN ISIELLiGEkE.

FRANCE.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, 29th Dec., 1860.

The Itioniteur publishes the text of the treaty
of peace concluded between France and China, as
well as the report of the etchatige o 1 the ratiiica
tions or the treaty of The trench
convention differs frolit the English orilb it One
or tit° 'Winn. The gligligh receive iii ei4arige
for Clittsani whieh tiieY haW tb thitiii;
the territory of Cowloon ; while the French,
instead of stipulating for any territorial grant,
have obtained from the Chinese Government its
consent to the following article, which provides
that the whole of the religious and charitable
establishments belonging to the Christians which
have been • confiscated in times past shall be
restored to their owners, together with the cemea
teries and buildings attached to them
Art. 9. In donfoimity with the Iniperial edict pro-
nounced tki the itith of Mara; 1848, by the abgtist
Emperor Tae-Itouang, the religions and 6haritable
establishments belonging to the Christians, which were
confiscated during the persecutions of which the Chris-
tians were the victims shall be restored to their owners
through the intervention of Ilis Excellency the French
Minister in China, to whom the Imperial Government
shall cause them to be delivered up together with the
cemeteries and other buildings thereto belonging.

Baron Gros also obtains an apology from the
Emperor for the obstruction offered to the advance
of the Allies at the mouth of the Peiho, last year,
and the indemnity question is thus dealt with :

The sum of 8,000,000 taels is allowed to the French
Government for the indemnification of the expenses
which the armaments against China have necessitated,
as also to recompense those Frenchmen and persons
under the protection of France, who have suffered loss
by the burning of the factories at Canton, and to in-
demnify those Catholic Missionaries who have suffered
in their persons or properties. The French Govern-
ment will allocate this sum among the parties interested,
whose rights have been legally established to its satis-
faction, and in virtue of these rights ; and it is agreed
upon between the contracting parties, that 1,000,000
of taels shall be appropriated to the indemnification of
those French subjects and protegees of France, for the
losses which they have experienced and the treatment to
which they have been subjected, and that the remaining
7,000,000 of taels shall be set apart for the expenses
incurred by the war.

I see it stated in the Senzaphore of Marseilles
that the sum fixed upon by General Montauban
as an indemnity to the families of the French
prisoners who have fallen victims to the bar-
barous treatment to which they were subjected,
and to those who were fortunate enough to
survive their sufferings, is 1,000,000 taels, or
£64,000. Lord Elgin demanded and obtained
£lOO,OOO indemnity on the same account for the
benefit of the English sufferers ; but it will be
observed that although the expenses of the
English expedition must ha-ie been vastly greater
than those incurred by the French, the amount
of indemnity on that head is nearly the same in
each case.

It is astonishing how difficult it is to get at the
truth of what is actually doing in connection with
the negotiations for the cession of \Tenetia. It is
most. positively stated that _England nas
taken to make a formal proposal to Austria for
the surrender of Venice for a sum of money; but,
on the other hand, it is asserted with equal con-
fidence that Prince Metternich has been instructed
to declare, which he has done publicly, that
Austria will refuse its consent to the proposition
in the most peremptory and decided manner.
Whilst all the papers here are announcing that
the King of Naples is intending to quit Gaeta,
and that the French fleet is about to be recalled,
it is affirmed in certain well-informed quarters
that Admiral Titian has received no new instruc-
tions, and that the rumours in question have their
origin in the hopes that are entertained by the
Piedmontese who are at this moment in Paris,
and whose wishes are fathers to the thought. I
hear it also stated that negotiations are in de-
pendence for a suspension of arms for three
months, and that Russia insists that the only
way to prevent a general war breaking out in
the spring is by maintaining Francis 11. in Gaeta
till that period. This does not appear particularly
clear to ordinary observers, but there are now so
many " wheels within wheels " running their
course in the wide field of Italian politics, that I
very much doubt whether any one of the moving
powers at work knows whither the next turn of
the wheel will bring them.
Some official explanations have been given on
the subject of the arrest of Count Teleki. Austria
alleges that Saxony could not refuse to put in
execution the treaty of extradition which exists
between the two countries. She adds that Count
Tekeli has been condemned by the legally estab-
lished tribunals; but that:she did not reckon upon a
judgment being carried out which had evidently
become perime, or, as the Scotch say, "fallen into
desuetude," by the lapse of time. It is.considered
probable that the Count will not be released until
the Hungarian crisis is passed; for it is well
known that this distinguished man is one of the
most eminent among the national Hungarian party.
The strictest search among his papers has not
brought to light a single circumstance that mixes
him up in any of the present political movements.
The fall at the Bourse, like the fall of snow,
continues; yesterday, the Rentes closed at 67 75
and the 41 at 96 80.

PARIS, Dec. 30, 1860.

The Emperor was present last evening at the
first representation of a new melodrama, entitled
the " Massacres of Syria," at the Imperial Theatre
of the Cirque. His Majesty was accompanied by
Marshal Landon and General Fleury, and was
received on his arrival, which took place at the
end of the first act, with the liveliest possible
enthusiasm. It was remarked that the looks of
everyone were turned towards the Emperor each
time that the cries of grief and vengeance, uttered
by the Maronites, were heard. The drama is a
skilfully and most artistically got up performance,
and his Majesty's attendance at its first repre-
sentation in a kind of state, in which he has rarely,
of late, indulged, viewed in connection with the
present aspect of the Eastern question and of the
postponement of the return frond Syria of the
Trench Expedition, cannot be i-eg4rded other-

wise than an act of great and intentional political
significance.

There was a frightful railway ar '.lent at
Fresnoy-le-Grand on the northern line of rail-
way the other night. The collision occurred in
consequence of the guard of one of the trains not
being able to see the signals, owing to the
violence of the snow storm. Several of the pas-
sengers were killed, and a number suffered
contusions dr a fibre dr it* dangerous. character.
The frost hat at length given way; With regard;
however, to the Wbibh has fallen
during the continuance of it, the quad* *high
has fallen within the sphere of the immense &Ail
of the Seine, has been estimated at 374 milliards
of kilogrammes, which when .melted ought to
yield exactly 374 millions of gallons of water, a
Circumstance which, says the Journal des Debats,
Would itt all probability have led to a frightful
inundation; had the thaw continued to proceed
as rapidly as it comniedeed.
The Menitett)- publishes several additional do=
cilthents relatiVe till the Preach expeditionary
force in China. filet Tile detailed
report of General Montauban, the comniaiidei:ln:
chief, descriptive of the various military opera-
tions of the force under his command: 2nd. An
edict, dated the 20th September, in which the
Emperor of China denounces the conduct of the
"Barbarians" to his subjects: 3rd. A letter from
Prince Kung to Baron Gros, sueing for peace :
4th. The answer of the French Emperor to th

COUNTY RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

A public meeting was held on Friday, in the Preston
Exchangtf,°for the purpose of forming a rifle association
for the county. of I.,anpaster for pilrilose:isinifiar to those
of the National itifie Association. The Earl of Sefton,
lord.lientenant of the county, presided, and the following
other noblemen and gentlemen were also am angst those
present :—The Right Hon. Lord Stanley, M.P.; Lord
Harrington, M.P. ; Lord Grey De Wilton, Sir Elkanah
Armitage, Sir Thomas Trafford, .Major Blundell, Gen.
Sir James Scarlett, Major trey; Sir Thomas Heslrethi
Mr. Garnett; the high sheriff for the eotioty his Wnr-
nbip the May of iverpool,, S, I praes, ; the
Mayor. of Manchester, . the :Mayo.B of ,Prest(nr,....Colonel
Adam ,Gladstone, Mr: Woods, Mi.. Mr. Pettey, Capt.
Mlccy. m: Pending; Mr. J. LOnlat *c:; 4c.
THe briefly opened the proceedings
by eitpressitig 'his hearty concurrence in the volunteer
movement, his opinion that a county rifle association for
Lancashire would be productive of very beneficial results
in inducing and encouraging the practice of rifle shoot-
ing, and his determination, if such an association were
formed, to do the utmost In his potter to make it as
effective as possila,
Lord liartington then moiled a resoliition to the effect
that an association be formed, to he called the County
of Lancaster Rifle Association," having for its object the
encouragement of Voldnteer rifle corps, and the prpmqtion
of rifle shooting throtigholit the eounti. The noble lord,
aftr erifVrcing thehatiorial irliPoitatice of the volunteerpiovetneht, appealed to the friends and supporters of
that movement not to relax in their efforts, and cautioned
them that the greatest risk of danger in that, as in all
other undertakings, was when the first novelty began to
wear away.
Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P., seconded the resolution,
and it was unanimously agreed to..
Mr. Garnett, the high shctiit, nett mooed a resolu-
tion to the effect that the Lord-Lieutenant shorild be
president of the association; whiCh sholild Consist of 10
patrons, whose subscriptions should be optional; 511
presidents, with power to add to their number, whose
subscriptions should be five guineas per annum each ;
members to subscribe one guinea per annum each, and
ddritts of 21 guineas and upwards would be considered
as life members of the association,
staid His Worship the Mayor of Manchester briefly seconded
the motion, and it was unanimously agreed to.
an of His Worship the Mayor of Liverpool, i 9. It. Orraves,
tntial EN., then ro os
ecte at are
r= ed the followin? 2
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bers of the association, who shall appoint dominittets 'and
the officers of the association a sedretaft treastirer,
and two auditors, to be annually appeitited), Mid hare
the management of the affairs of the association, bile-
third of whom shall retire annually (in the first and
second years by lot), but shall be eligible for re-el^^"-- "
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and gentlemen, when I
..ammons to attend this meeting, I felt that
Loa inhabitants of LiVerpoel took so Jite.ly. aii ititcrest
'eVatt tare of
the, Irpltniteers;,, , ,ehtl , oilohtii7niting the
ff Oleg hbd iii4otintigl'he:e;etlt-dagy to° assist ss is t s inillpsrorm°
oting
a scheme which, to my mind, has the most important
practical bearing, not only on the permanency, but
the very existence of the volunteer organisation through-
out the country. (Hear, hear, and applause.) The
volunteer service has not attained its present proportions
withotit its Millie hating heed odeasionally Chequered
by doubts and fears; espetially in the be inning of its
Career: ,It has idiMeil Ptiti6h iiiatlY ilhagEs, ail bfeating
p,b143 left abilety bat, on the whole, its .course has
Been attended with the most fortuitous circumstances.
' (Hear, hear.) Its very wants were anticipated and
remedied before being felt, while the difficulties
which beset its path were remeae.d befqr they
beeame anstacles and. pew stunts
..berpre the
Countryaaceniea ,by,;.hei• MaJest as tale of the most
grkteftii offerings which a devoted nation could present
to its sovereign, encouraged by the goverment, and
recognised by the unanimous voice of the people as a
most economic but most material element in the defences
of England. (Applause.) This is a proud position to
have won, and I earnestly hope that the volunteers will
remember that on them rests, both individually and col-
lectively, the responsibility of showing that they ean be
not only, goad salditrt, biit at the smile tithe gdod Citi-
zens. It is tidt at hdme alone that
,the inibinteers'
influence is felt, for our colonies have followed our
example, and England now finds that at hethe and abroad
the potsesbs large numbers ready and *llllPg ttlagSiSt the
regular forces, should Unhappily any emergency arise to
require that assigtanbe. (Hear, liettil It is no small
Pilag .to, be able to sap County which, more than
ftnT aher, depends on the manual labour of its popula-
tion tbi its wealth, that we should embrace within its
area one-tenth of the volunteers of the United Kingdom
----that some 14,000 of the employers and employed
should have banded themselves together and devoted the
few hours which out of the 24 they could call their own,
to purposes of drill, without in the slightest degree
affecting the labour market or trenching On the industrial
resources of the country. (Hear, hear, and applause.)
Thus far has the movement gone on unaided by other
than private support, and it is possible that its popularity
andits success may in some degree be owing to its course
being left free, and the absence of inflexible rates or
Unnecessary control ; but I canadt eoileeal from myself
the belief that the timb lids itiiiiTed when the Government
and Pie boiirlitY mast come forward, and by assuming
Kreate, feenonsibilities assist in the formation of
stoithbilses for drill and the protection of the arms, for
traetice rounds, and, by the gratuitous distribution of
ammunition, place the volunteers on the same footing
as the other services of the country. (Hear, hear, and
applause.) Science has placed in the hands of the
volunteers one of the most perfect weapons for general
use which have been invented; but unless they learn
endthe power of this weapon the safety of the force will be
angered, and their efficiency materially impaired.
(Hear, hear.) It is for the purpose of affording facili-
ties for the use of the rifle we are met to-day, and I
doubt not that the association which has just been
lauriched under such high auspices will meet with the
support of all classes, and that an organisation will be
secured which will enable every volunteer to become an
experienced marksman, and which will by competition
stimulate him to greater exertions. (Cheers.) It is
an acknowledged axiom in political economy that the
defences of a country should bear a due proportion to
its wealth and its trade; and if we regard the value of
the association from this point of view, we shall find
that we have in this country ititerests to protect which
only few kingdotns can boast of. Our enormous popu-
lation is mainly dependent on our trade, and it is impos-
bible that that trade can be conducted with prosperity
tinlbas Vrb tan look on with indifference while surround-
In' aborts are embroiling themselves in difficulties and
ithligits. We must feel the most perfect security, and
this we can only do through possessing a powerful and
a united volunteer force. (Cheers.) If, then, we are
to maintain a local volunteer army at all in keeping
with the great interests we have here to protect, we
must establish a rifle, association worthy of the great
county in which we live. (Cheers.) It is not necessary
that I should remind this meeting that much of the
success of any institution depends on the practical ability
of its executives and I think it is wisely decided, in the
resolution which I am requested to move, that the
council shall be elected from the whole body of the
members of the association, and thus, by giving the ,
widest field for selection, ensure the election of the
best men who can be found amongst its members.
(Loud applause.)
The Right Hon. Lord Stanley next rose to address
the meeting. He said the Lord-Lieutenant had called
upon him to propose to them a resolution in the purport
of which he was certain the meeting would unanimously
concur. It was a resolution which he should have no
difficulty in recommending to their favourable notice,
bat ;t .rap one which he confessed he felt some difficulty
in attempting to support by any argument or by any
reasoning which was not already as familiar to the minds
nf those whom be addressed as they were to his own.
was to the following effect :—" That the annual
acting of the association shall be held not later than
too last -week in September, successively, in different
parts of the county, at which numerous prizes of mode-
Irate value shall be given for the best artillery, rifle, and
carbine Practice, to be competed for by volunteers, militia,
yeomen of the county, and members of the association."
There were some things, continued the noble lord, which
at a meeting like that might fairly be taken for granted
—that they were all agreed that the volunteer move-
ment deserved public support ; that it had a powerful
influence upon the politics of Europe, and that it was
desirable to make it one of the permanent institutions
of the country. They must all be aware that in 1803,
the second year of the present century, a volunteer
force existed in England numerically more powerful
than that of the present day, although the population
was only one-half what it was now ; and yet that
volunteer force passed away, leaving hardly a trace
behind it, as B°ola as the danger of an invasion
had died away. Remembering that, he thought
they would have no difficulty in coming to a conclusion
that if a character of permanence was to be given to the
present volunteer movement, it was not merely a matter
of convenience, but a matter of absolutely necessity,
that something in the nature of a regular organisation
should be given to it. (Cheers.) He quite agreed that
the time of difficulty and danger to the promoters of this
movement—the time when risk of failure was greatest—
was when the first novelty of the undertaking had
Passed away, when European politics had settled down,
and when other and narrower subjects, perhaps of
domestic and international interest, were occupying the
Public mind. They wanted, therefore, a regular organisa-
tion; and the object of that organisation ought to
be net merely to induce men to connect themselves
with the volunteer movement, not merely to induce them
to join this or that particular corps, but to induce them
to do what was much more—to give to themselves those
other qualities without which no volunteer corps, and
indeed no rifle corps of any kind, was available for mili-
tary purposes—the
.quality of the discipline in the corps
collectively, and with individual skill and marksman-
ship in the members of that corps. (Hear, hear.) This
could only be acquired—especially skill in shooting
could only be acquired—by a training which would be
laborious but for the interest that was taken in it.
That quality was the present want of the volunteer
movement, and he was prepared to contend that the
association which they were then forming supplied that
Want. It indirectly aimed at the promotion of discip-
line by holding out certain privileges and advantages
to those who were inclined to join the volunteer corps
al preference to competing separately on their own
account, and directly it gave encouragement to marks-
Xnanship and skill in shooting with the rifle by applying
that which was found to be the most powerful stimulus
ui all affairs of life, the stimulus of competition, of pub-
licity, and of honourable distinction. (Hear, hear, and
applause.) So much as to the general purposes which
the association had in view ; and he did not think he
should be doing injustice to the many gentlemen who
had interested themselves in its promotion iPhe specially
named as: two of those Mr. Blundell and Mr. Adam
Gladstone. (Hear, and applause.) Amongst the ques-
tions which the promoters had had to consider were
What should be the area over which the association
should extend, what should be the times and places
of meeting, who should be admitted to compete for the
Prizes, and what the nature of those prizes should be;
and the noble lord urged that the area should include
but not extend beyond the whole of the county, for
there would be inconvenience and disadvantage in
making an association of that description territorially
either too large or too small: if they made it too'
large, their prizes served only as an encouragement to
a few of the first-rate shots of " All England; " and
nothing could be more clear than that if the association
were to exist for purposes of practical utility, and not
mere display-, their object should be not to be able
to show half a dozen of the best shots in Epgland—
whether they did that or pp would be mere accident
—but to be able to show the highest average of good

. .
shots ettericling.over the largest number of competitors.
On the other hand, if the nrea was too small, the
honours it would Confer would not be looked upon with
Sufficient iniportaine. As td the tine, he thonght Sep-
temher4ould be mdst fivoiiralile, but experience would
be the best guide, and he thought it would lie better not
to tie themselves down too strictly, and that the best!in-
terests of the association would be consulted by holding
the meetings in different parts of the county each year.
His lordship thought; too, it would be a pod thing for
the volunteers themselves if, whilst some prizes were
reSerted eidiusiVely tn. them,
.others, whether giYeri
bjr the association or. by indit?iduals, should be open
to ontsidersi bOatiseiit,Wonld l good the. nicqbeis
pc,* corps; to
.95qi9ped.,tii!stickgojtibetitiOn.; ,Xfter
expreising bf the iir,tneiple of giving it
number or small prizes rather than a few large ones;
the noble lord concluded by saying for himself, as he
was sure he might also say for his friends on the plat-
form, that their object in coining together was not to
impose their own ideas or wishes upon the meeting, but
to elicit the opinions of others, and they would, there-
fore§ be glad to hear any suggestions which gentlemen
Wight thkoit,
The lidn. 41gefriOit E.geftdii seconded tiie
which was carried by aCeldination.
The ndlile, ChaintiMi Lead. the folldwinm letter frOni
the Right Tioriciiirable the Earl of tletbli 44
• • •
Unable to attend the nieetins!--:
+0 THE ESRL OF SOTON, ETO.

• ,KnoWsley; Dec. 26, 1860.
My DEAR SErrox,—l am very glad to letirri that you are to
preside on Friday at a meeting at Preston for the formation Of
a County Rifl7 Association. Such an institution (if I may use
• the term) appears to me exactly what is required to give at
thismoinent a character of permanence and cory,istency to the
great national movement which his reflected such credit on
the public spirit of the country. I have hitherto kept aloof
from every proposal of the kind, because I found, in all that
had been presented to me, the prevalence of local influences
anti local jealotisies ; but, if you will alto* me to say so, foil
have tal6n Your ptoPer place" as lotd-lieuteitant of the,colinly,
Fitting yourself at the head Of it hiciO nteit Whith I hoperilay tend td edilsdlidatE and Unite the niluriteek ayktem, Which
hits already provided, in thiS One County, a larger force than
that Antall has just enforced terms of peace upon the capital
of the Chinese empire; and you may depend on my co-opera-
tion in carrying out the object whicii you have in vier/. As
my attendance at the meeting is impossible, I hope you will
excuse me if I offer to you a few remarks,as to what I con•
ceive should be the obj -ets chiefly aimed aL
We have had abundant evidence this yeat di the feadinesS of
those who are not in a pidsiViin tti give their personal ser4d€6 to
aid theMOVettlent by pectiniamo,ntriliAttidnib and_espeOidity
by Oirering fob pioliciency in rifle ghcio4ng; and this
has even been carried to an eitent ',Oak

pioriiineneelleinTgli.Zn to tiflej4r7i7r. miteh
fis"27-I:4gfrrizir
We ifinst ndt forget that the nationtm object is 'tile formation'
Of rifle ;Cof-jr.o; and ,not, of rifle qub.v; and this ,distinction
ought, riot to,. be lost sight of in Ipying the rules for
a Czity
„The first , praclacal step must
1)1 provide t e "AiriervS of war„" not for .a temporary,
lint stir ti birritarient dbjett; ;With trig 4-ieri- I P'imild
suggest that tihateVrt eontl "talons are filmic should
be either in annual subscriptionS, or, if
•• At 14
,en in a lump sum, that sum to be invested 1,1 the names of
trustees, and the annual interest alone to be expended. Now,
as to the application of any funds which may be raised, the
.amount of which need not be very large' provided they are
certain; I. think they Should be limitcd to two objec,s---Ist,
the providifi an adequate nuttibet of ranges far practice at
long di.stantes;ato atterithodatts the Yarioirs districts of this
lArge,cothity ; cird, 2n ; the ektablishmefit ul Pertain jitiT.pd tc!
tie annually fib(' Subject to alteretions
from time to time by a e immittee, the anpointment of which,
after the principles are settled, should be the very first step.
It is needless to say that this should be a working committee,
composed of men willing to give to it their time and attention,
and impartial y selected from all parts of the county.
As to the rifle ranges, they ought to be a charge on the per-
manent funds of the association. I believe there is only one
dt present, at ilightown, which is more especially available
for Liverpool and its neighbourhood. but which is at present
held dii thfi responSibility and at the It of Mr. Adam Gladstone
dr/dottier pritate indificltials. I think at least two other ran es
ought to be f6tind; anti leaded yy the tift..dciation—otte for t e
north, and one fOr the Manch6ster diYiSidn of the t;dunty.d
ground should be adopted bY the a isoci,tion which dcies no give
at least a 900 yardi range. .I shorild think ground ttiight be found
towards the easteni range of hills,, nearer the Manehester and
Leeds or the Manchester and -Stiefil*l lilies, Which 'Would be
vesy.sqitaArle for MilnelyAter•an4 its ririglibourhd-id., lii my
oprnioh, these grduridg; *heti taken. should be free for the
prattichdf tiny coins front any part of the county, but not for
1 individual members of such corps, except on payment of such
fees as may be fixed by tie committee. Spectators coming on
to the ground should also be charged a moderate payment,
which will naturally diminish the cost to the association.
Every county ground will require a permanent staff attached
to it, of three or four men, to attend to each target. The
association should have nothing to do with minor local ranges,
the provision of which should be left, as at present, to the
.was respective
stoprizes.
corps.zes. I would limit them to money or to pieces
df plate ; grid I Wottld absolutely otellide every thing in the
Shape of medals, to be letlin—lihich; if allowed, Woirld havd
A. tendency rather, to cast. ridieuje than distinction, on the
Wearers. Thesprinei .should bp fixed, and announced by the
committee at the commencement o,; each Jeer. T per amount
must,..of.cmuse, .depend on tlie.funds at their disposal; but
I should lay grPat stress on the eonditiOn that the prizes
titen by the AssooiatiOn Should be competed for only by
Weathers of some accepted rifle corps, or of the Queen's
regular service. I would not disc enrage the offering of prizes
for shooting, by individuals, on other conditions ; but I would
Make them subject to the sanction of the committee, and espe-
cially if intended to be shot for on days assigned to the associ
ation's prizes. The practice grounds should be open, on days
not required for the regular volunteer set vice, on moderate
terms, but not gratuitously, to parties desirous of making use
of them for shooting matches between individuals, or even
clubs; but no assistance in the wr.y of prizes should be given
to these latter.

I have thus hastily embodied what appear to me to be consi-
derations applicable to the objects of your meeting, of which I
will thank you to express my hearty approval. I entrust my
letter to Stanley., *ho *ill attend, and yr it may make any use
of it you think am, dear Sefton, ydurs sincerely,

ToEttutc.
Lord Grey de Itfiltotif Mr. Blundell, Captain Brooks,
Major Grey, Colonel Adam. Gladstone, Sir Titdmas
Hesketh, .and Sir James Scarlett, also briefly. addressed
the meeting in support of formal resolutions, and
expressed their warmest approval both of the volunteer
movement itself and also of the formation of a county
association, the proceedings terminating with a cordial
vote of thanks to the noble chairman for presiding.

LIVERPOOL POLICE COURT.-YESTERDAY.

(Before Mr. RAFFLES.)
THE POOR-BOX.

His Worship acknowledged the receipt of £5 for the
poor-box, from Messrs. Allen, Brothers, & Co.

HOW MARY CLARKE FINISHED HER ENJOYMENT.

Mr. Tooke, of Faulkner-square, whose place of busi-
ness is in Church-street, charged his servant, Mary
Clarke for being drunk and disorderly, and in his house
making use of bad language, and insulting sortie friends
that he had in his house. I, h c doniplainant said the
prisoner Was ih his service for some five weeks, and he
had no particular fault to find with her until Sunday
evening, when he found she was drunk, and he dis-
covered that she had drunk a flask of brandy and nearly
hal, a one of Hollands. She became very drunk of
course, and got most outrageous, used very bad lan-
guage, and insulted his friends grossly. She would not
go to bed, but acted in the most disgraceful manner.
He offered to send her in a cab to any friend's house
that she had, but she refused, and at last he was obliged
to call an officer and give her into custody. At the
station he offered to forgive her if she went away, but
she would not, so he was obliged to give her into ctts-
tody. Mr. Raffles : Had you a character with her ?
Witness I had two characters with her, one was a good
one, but the gentleman with whom she lived with last
gave her a bad character, but I did not see him until a
day or two ago, and he (witness) intended to discharge
her. The prisoner, in reply to his worship, said she was
ill, and she took some brandy to cure her, and it had an
effect on her, (the effect was visible enough at the mo-
ment). Mr. Raffles ordered her to be remanded, and
inquiry made about her. She was subsequently dis-
charged at the request of Mr. Tooke, he paying her her
wages.