The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-25 00:00:00

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LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 25.

IT has been announced by a contemporary,
whose authority for such a statement must be ad-
initted to be unimpeachable,that orders have j us tbeen
received at Portsmouth for the definitive abandon-
ment of one of the famous Spithead forts. Accord-
ing to our contemporary, the reason for this step
i. the discovery that the new 600-pounder would
be too heavy for the foundations. Accepting the
fact, we can scarcely admit the force of the sug-
gested explanation. These forts, we used to be
told, were to be built to carry ordnance of any con-
ceivable weight. Their chief recommendation was
that they could be armed with guns of any size,
while the power of ships to carry heavy guns was
limited. They were urged upon us, in fact, on the
ground that they were the necessary supplement
of the development of artillery, the sole means by
which we could take full advantage of the triumphs
of modern science. It is certainly disappointing
to find, just as the Royal Sovereign and the
Minotaur are being armed with 300-pounders, that
we must abandon one of our forts because it would
sink beneath the waves if we attempted to mount
600-pounders on its walls. We have, however,
the consolation of knowing that this event was not
quite unexpected. Two years ago, while Parlia-
ment was being amused with pictures of the fate
of a hostile fleet if it should venture within the
charmed circle of fire, we drew attention to the
evidence of Mr. HAU IiSHAW, the engineer em-
ployed, which made it very doubtful whether the
famous circle could ever be completed. The shoal
had then been pierced for a depth of 30 feet with-
out finding a solid foundation, and Mr. HAWK-
SHAW stated that unless in the space of 15 feet
more he was successful, the work could not pro-
ceed. Operations were then suspended for a year
by the decision of Parliament, but fresh funds were
voted for them last year. Thus in the third year
we have arrived at the decisive knowledge of the
fact that nothing can be done.

It is said, indeed, that this failure is only to
have the effect of the removal of the charmed
circle to another spot. The fort which cannot
be erected where the Defence Commissioners
recommended, is to be erected on another
shoal three miles distant. But we must
strenuously protest against this unsanctioned
modification. In the position now proposed the
fort will not serve any of the purposes it was origi-
nally intended to fulfil. We must recall, to make
the importance of this matter plain, the nature of the
Defence Commissioners' design as it was adopted
by Parliament. They proposed to flank the
entrance to Spithead at a point 6,000 yards from
the dockyard, where the deep water channel is
above 2,000 yards wide, with a fort on either side,
built respectively on the Horse and the No Man
shoals. Within these outer defences, and midway
between Ityde and Portsmouth, they placed a
third, called the Sturbridge Fort. It is this which
has just been found impracticable. But it was in
some respects the most essential of the three. It
commanded in an especial degree the anchorage of
Spithead. The Defence Commissioners themselves
say of it, in their Report of 1862—" I t completes the
" circle of defences which will afford a concentrated
" fire on the anchorage, provides a second line
" against an enemy attempting the passage of the
" Solent, and gives shelter to floating defences
" which might have been obliged to retire before a
" superior forv!, either from the outer entrance to
" Spithead, or from the defence of the passage of
" the Needles."

Now, this position being of necessity given
up, the whole scheme is affected, and it is in
no degree redintegrated by the transplanting of
the fort, as is suggested, from the int'de to the
outside of the outer channel defences. There it will,
indeed, still form a circle, but it will be a circle where
no hostile vessel will ever be likely to lie. The clear
channel remains still 2,000 yards wide, the enemy
can still push at full speed through it, and when
he is past he reaches an undefended space, where
at 3,000 yards from any bat,ery he can lie while
shelling the dockyard before him. All this time
the transplanted lot. is c,,i,,tot, because it
is on Cie outside, while the enemy is ins,de. It
gives no shelter to floating defences, because it is
actually further off than the two flanking forts,
and it leaves the Needles passage and the Solent
uncovered, being removed to the other side of
the Isle of Wight. Therefore, in no sense can
the substitution take the place of the original plan ;
and Parliament must face the question, as if new,
whether the plan thus inevitably modified is such
as can be recommended for the defence of the
port.

We cannot regret that Nature has in this in-
stance proved more powerful than ministerial
tactics. That scheme for the defence of England
in which forts and stationary defences have occu-
pied so conspicuous a position, and which was the
favourite offspring of the brain of one individual,
untrained to the consideration of such questions, has
never seemed to us sound ; and it is matter for
congratulation if it should be found in good time
to be impracticable. By the mercy of PROVIDEN4 E
we hare, during the three years which have been
lost in trying to put it in execution, been pre-
served from hostile attack. But let us think how
different would have been our position now had we
frankly accepted the maxim that England's defence
must be her fleet, and not her forte. The energy
wasted in digging foundations in quick-
sands might have sent the loyal Sovereign

end Prince Albert

ago, have given us
and have decided the
is to be built. It

and manufacture of the guns which are to arm it,
instead of leaving the experimental specimens to
rust idly at Shosbnryness. On shore, had we
been less eager to erect a defensive line of forts
at Portsmouth and elsewhere, each as long and as
weak as the Dannewerke, we might have given
our thoughts to the organization of our force so as
to render it at once more economical and more
available. As we stand, we have at NIL but a line
of foundations, without either forts or ships ; on
land but a line of trenches and casemates, without
either men or guns. Not one of the harbour bat-
teries which were to fight under shelter of the
shoal forts has even been commenced. After
three years of preparation we are as to sea defenses
exactly where we were—as to land defences we
are weaker by the length of our unmanned lines.
Surely the nation will take the lemon to heart.

Cbt Court.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Y•acs 24.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by
the Hon. Mrs. Braes, Lient,Cotonel Koppel, sad Dr. Holz.
mann, arrived at the Castle yesterday attention.
Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold arrived from Green.
wich-park this morning, attended by Major ElpWantons.
The royal dinner party yesterday included the King of
the Belgians, the Prime of Wales, the Princess et Wale.,
and the Primus Helena ; the Countess of Caledeo, Lady
Caroline Barrington, Hon. Mrs Bruce, Hins. Lacy Kerr,
Hen. Caroline Cavendish, Hon. Lady Biddelpli,
General the Ham C. and Mrs. Grey, Dr. Helmenn, General
Count de) Moerkerke sod Dr. Koepl (in &Mesdames fenfthe
King of the Belgians), Er. Sabi, Lord Talbot de Nahhide,
Colonel the Hoe. A. Liddell, Lord Charles Fitzroy, Colonel
H. Ponscaby, Lient..Cobinel Koppel, and the Master of the
Household.

The Quest, socompesial by the Prinems of Wales, drove
in the gross& this eseraisg.
Princess Helena sod Primes Louise took a carriage
drive

Despatched were sent hem the Colonial-office to the
Governor of Cansda.

His Excellency the Ambassador of France leaves
M=rt-gate House today for Broadlands, Hants, on a visit
to Viwount and Viscounts= Palmarstoo.

His Exoelleocy the Italian Minister will leave
town to-day, to join the company about to aomenble at
Broadlseds.

The Duke of Devonshire and Lady LonsiaCaven-
d6h and Lord Frederick Cavendish are pining the nom at
Chatsworth Hone, Derbyshire.

The Duchess of St Alban's, Lady Diana Beau-
clerk, and Visocast Falkland, have loft town for Hadbourno
Hall, Line*lulls*, for the holidays.
The Earl of St. Germans entertained a select
circle at dinner last awning, at his rosidenoe in Donor-
street.

Viscount and Viscountess Castleroese have left
Eaton-place on a tour of visits, previous to their departure
for Ireland.

THE RECEPTION OP GENERAL GARIBALDI.

A meeting, convened by circular, was held yes-,
torday at the Load= Tavern, to consider what steps should
be taken to give a public reception to Games' Garibaldi on
his arrival in London. Mr. Edmund Beals, president of
the National Polish League, occupied the chair. Mr. John
Richardson, a member of the Common Coupon, said this
was a meeting of the late Garibaldi Committee. It had not
been publicly called together, but he hoped it would not be
thought that they intended to dictate to anyone, or to take I
upon themselves the sole responsibility of giving a reception
to Garibaldi. On the contrary, they would be happy to Co"
operate with any other parties. He had been in close com-
munication with Garibaldi, and only that morning had re-
ceived from him a telegraphic message stating that be
should arrive in this country on the 2nd of ApriL He had
also been just informed by Mr. Seely, M.P. for Lincoln,
that Garibaldi would stay about • fortnight at Brooke-house,
in the Isle of AVight, and that be would come to London on
Saturday, April 16. He would mire at the Waterloo sta-
tion and thence proceed to Albert-gate. the town residence of
if Seely, unless any committee formed for the purpose
should make other arrangements. But while the illustrious
general had every desire to consult the interests of the
committee, it should not be forgotten that his stay in
England would be very Walt. The object of his visit wag to
thank in person those generous hearts whose sympathy
had done him so much good in the dismal hour. of his
charms and sorrow, and it must not be apposed that he
came hare for any political purpose whatsoever. He (Mr.
Richardson) believed be would be only too happy to receive
• testimonial from the people of this country, and he hoped
the meeting would come to a resolution to do something
worthy of the citizens of London, and set an example to the
large tones in the kingdom. He had received letters from
Mr. Crawford, M.P., Mr. Serjeant Parry, Mr. Lucas (eng.us
refiner), General Permed Thompson, and about 5C3 others,
stating their inability to attend the meeting, and reweaving
concurrence in theobject for which it was wormed. Mr. Law-
rence moved, " That title meeting, having heard with un-
feigned pleasure that General Garibaldi, the hero of Italian
liberty, the noble and disinterested patriot, whose cha.
rerun is of faultless nobility and purest integrity, is about
to visit this country, this meeting considers him worthy of
some marked attention on the part of the metropolis,
especially the City of Loodon, and hereby forms itself
into • committee for the purpose of paying befitting
honours to this illustrious man wider the title of
' The Garibaldi Reception and Testimonid Committee.'"
The resolutiou was seconded by Mr. Stapleton. and
after a discassioo, in which Messrs. Webber, Malthus,
G. Potter, Loyd Jones, D'lffanger, and others took
part, it was carried by acclamation. Mr. J. Richardson and
Mr. J. R. Taylor were the appointed honorary secetariee
of the committee, and • sub-committee was appointed to carry
out the objects of the meetiog, and to report from time to
time to the gene& committee. (In the motion of Mr.
Richardson, seconded b 7 Mr. Stapleton, a resolution was
carricd, "That a subscriptiou list be now entered into to
carry out the objects of this meeting and to meet the neon-
airy expenses incident thereto."

SOUTHA MPTON MARCH 24. The intellictce
which has reached berg to-day from Malta of the elm ka-
tion of Garibaldi on board the Ripon has awakened great
interest. A large commune of persons will, it is expected,
welcome the great Italian patriot and hero to Southampton.
It is believed that he will proceed from this tows to the Isle
of Wight, and will not visit the metropolis for a fortnight
after his arrival in this oottetry.
REPRESENTATION OF GREAT YARMOUTH. —Fol-
lowiog the example o: the cosservatives of Great Yarmouth,
who have determinedupou 'electing as their candidates at the
next election Sir E. H. K. Lsoon, M.P., one of the presort
sitting members, and Mr. J. Goodson, the chairman of the
Great Fasters Railway Company, the liberals of the
borough held on Wednesday eveciog • meeting for the
purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of inviting
Mr. L W. Welkin, chairerais of the Manchester, Sheffield, and
Lincolnshire Railway Company, to stead in the liberal into.
rest, and to sign a requisita to the hoe. gentleman to that
effect. Mr. W. Livingstone presided, and contradicted a
report that Mr. Watkin had decided on coming forward to
contest Grimsby ; on the contrary, Mr. Watkin would most
williagly stand for Great Yarmouth, provided there were
fair promises of support. Mr. Neve moved a resolution to
the effect that se a dissolution of the present parliament
was near at hand, the meeting was of opinion that the time
had arrived when preparations should be made to secure the
return of liberal candidates, and sincerely hoped that Mr.
E. W. Watkin would again contest the borough. The reso-
lution was carried amidst much applinse, with only one die-
aestient Several electors signed a requisition which bad
been prepared, end the meeting separated. Mr. Watkin
will doubthesanoonnos hisdetermisation in • few days. Mr.
Watkin sat for Yarmouth for a short time in 1858, bat was
unseated on petition.

REPRLSENTATION OT ARNIM:H.—The election for
the county of Armagh took place yesterday, and retailed in
the return of Colonel Strong, without opposition. The
electors were entertained at luncheon in the Tontine rooms
by the gallant colonel, and the proceedings were of a most
harmonious character.

THE OXFoRD DECLARATION'. —The Record states
that the signatures to the Orford Declaration amounted en
Thursday to 12.000. and the number continuos to Mamie.
In the Cambridge Chroniele the Rev. W. B. Hopkins, RD.,
Vicar of Wisboch, and Proctor in Convocation for the
dioc,ee of Ely. in giving a number of reasons for signing the
manifesto writee :—" 1 sign the declaration because the
arvumen(wri arl inridinm is a two-edged weapon, which
gives its stroke backwards as well as forwards. Any one who
refuses to sign most, of coarse, accept the coestriortioe which
his neighbours choose to pat upon his refusal. Bat sines
the judgment declares that oar church nowban dogmati-
cally pronounces upon the doctrine of eternal future mash.
meet, it now becomes invidious for any one to teach or to
enforce that doctrine."

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