The Press.
London, England, 1857-04-25 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

table•rest by Colonel Hay and Mr. Guner, the manager of
the Enfield factory. Both are first rate marksmen, yet at
500 yards the Manchester rifle in the hands of the former
gives three times as good shooting as the latter can get out
of the Government arm. All the other trials were made
by firing from a beautifully constructed machine rest,
which placed both weapons on a footing of perfect equality
as to the conditions under which they were tested. In
addition to the foregoing experiments, there was one for
►howing that with cylindro•convoidal calls on the expansion
principle of those used for the Enfield rifle very superior
shooting could be obtained from Whitworth's hexagonal
bore. This was most satisfactorily established, the mean
deviation on the target from the centre of the group of ten
hits being only 'B5 of a foot at 500 yards' range. It will
be observed that at 800 yards' range, at which the practice
commenced, the shooting of Whitworth's rifle was so much
better than the other that no greater distance was
attempted. A reference to the first table of experiments
will also demonstrate that the target made by the former
weapon at 1,100 yards is nearly as good as that made by
the latter at 500.

These are great results to have achieved, and amply
justify the forethought of the late Lord Hardinge in se-
curing the services of so eminent a mechanic as Mr.
Whitworth for the improvement of the rifle. Until he took
the subject in hand the proper principles for guidance in
the construction of the weapon bad not been accurately
determined. The manufacture was still conducted by rule
of thumb, and in a very haphazard way on the most
important points. The uses of grooves and an expansive
projectile made it impossible to secure the requisite amount
of pitch in the rifling and the indispensable hardness of
metal in the bullet for penetration. Moreover, from the
small amount of bearing, the wear and tear both in the
barrel and in the projectile were enormous, and the length
of the latter could not be increased without causing it to
capsise in its flight. By the polygonal bore and rapid
pitch to which the form of the bullet accurately conforms
Mr. Whitworth has rendered stripping impossible, and,
his rifle when fired acting exactly like a male and female
screw, the projectile must rotate with perfect steadiness
and precision on its axis. He can increase its length so
considerably as to secure space for converting it into a
shell if necessary, and being able to use metal of any degree
of hardness, he can adapt its form and strength erectly to
the work which it has to perform. Thus, with a rifle 39
inches long and half-inch bore, having a turn in 20 inches,
or two turns in its length, he finds no difficnlty in pene-
trating a wrought-iron plate 6-10ths of an inch thick or
cutting a core out of a piece of solid timber half a foot
thick ; and some idea may be formed of the extraordinary
power of his arm when we mention that hie projectiles in
their flight rotate at the rate of 1),00;) revolutions per
minute. The question of driving holes in the 4-inch
breastplates of floating batteries is at once solved by the
application of these principles to artillery, the construction
of which this new rifle proves must be completely revolu-
tionised. A weapon which in expert hands will make good
practice at 1,400 yards, and the range of which can be very
easily helped by a telescope if necessary, gives the coup
de-grace to our present system of field batteries.

A SINGULAR STORY OF AN AUTO-DA.FE is told of a
body of itinerant Capuchin monks of Grasse, in the
department of the Var. A short time since one
Father Archange mounted the pulpit and pro-
nounced a furious discourse against philosophers and
romance writers. Not only Alexandre Dumas,
Eugene Sue, Georges Sand, and Balzac, but even
MM. Thiers and Lamartine were denounced by
name. Among newspapers the Dibate and Siecle
were stigmatised as unfit for Christian reading. At
the conclusion of a fierce invective the monk called
upon his hearers, as they valued their eternal salva-
tion, to deliver up to the parish priest, within twenty-
four hours, all books, pamphlets, journals, and
printed papers whatsoever not approved by the
bishop which might' be in their possession. Pur-
suant to this mandate a large proportion of the
population of the town came by night to the church
door, and there, through an aperture provided by the
cure, they furtively threw down their sinful literature.
The next day, which happened to be Holy Thursday,
a grand auto-dale was celebrated in one of the
public places of the town. The devoted books and
newspapers were packed upon a large funereal pile.
Two copies of Lamartine's "Jocelyn," one of "La
Chute d'un Ange," a complete set of M. Thiers'
" History of the French Revolution," very many
volumes of Balzac, Dumas, and Eugene Sue, a copy
of M. Senator Merimee's "Colomba," M. Michelet's
works, and Jules Simon's " Religion Naturelle," were
remarked among the collection, which comprised an
immense number of plays, vaudevilles, and illustrated
publications. At nine in the evening, all being pre-
pared, the clergy preceded by two infant choristers,
each bearing a silver cross covered with a black veil,
advanced in procession to the place of execution.
Some " bad books," which had been brought in at
the last moment, were carried by beadles in baskets
hung with black. The cortege marched slowly and
silently, lighted by torches and wax candles. The
beadles having emptied their baskets into the con-
demned mass of books and papers, the pile was
lighted and the whole consumed, while the monks
chanted Parce Dotnine.

THE MAGNIFICENT ILLUMINATIONS OF ST. PETER'S,
AT ROME, and the famed girandola fireworks on
Easter Monday, were postponed this time in conse-
quence of the non-arrival from Nice of her Imperial
Majesty the Dowager Empress of Russia. Her
Majesty was daily expected at Rome.

SATURDAY,

Ifortign anb Colonial 3ntttligtur,

FRANOF..
THE NEUFCHATEL CONFERENCES.

The Conference met on Monday evening for the
eighth time, when Count Walewski presented the
propositions drawn up by the four powers. After a
long discussion Count de Hatsfeldt and Dr. Kern
declared that their limited powers rendered it neces-
sary that they should refer to their respective
Governments. Dr. Kern, after being received by
the Emperor of the French, left for Berne the follow.
ing day. The general impression in Paris is, that
the solution of this mismanaged question is at length
at hand. The conditions of the arrangements pro-
posed are said to embrace an indemnity to Prussia of
1,000,000 f., and the continuance of the title of
Pr.nce of Neufchatel.

The Indipendance Be:fie gave the following as the
substance of a memorial laid before the Neufchatel
Conference by Dr. Kern, in answer to the demands
of Prussia :

The only point on which the Swiss Plenipotentiary is
nearly in accord with the Prussian demands is as regards
the amnesty. M. Kern admits the principle of an amnesty,
and is also willing that it should extend to all political and
military offences anterior to the repression of the insurrec•
tional movement of September, 1536.
On all other points the difference
.is marked and de•
cisive.

M. Kern declares that Switzerisn't will not conce le to
the King of Prussia the title of Prince of Neufchatel,
because the King's renunciation of his sovereignty ought
to be entire and without any reserve.
He also refuses the required indemnity, because—with.
out taking into account the expense which the exercise of
the droll.; regaliens will entail upon Switzerland, and which.
according to him, would rather authorise the Federal
Government to ask for compensation—the Confederation
has already spent upwards of five millions in consequence
of the royalist insurrection.

As to the property of the Church, the Helvetic Plenipo•
tentiary affirms that it has never been diverted from its
destination, and that, although it has been annexed to the
State domain, the State has in return provided for the
clergy at a cost amounting to double the income of the
property. He adds that he can admit no special stipule•
Lion relative to the " foundations," the constitution and
laws of the canton having provided for all eventualities,
private foundations being regulated by common law, and
public foundations being under no pretence whatever to
be withdrawn from the regime laid down by the Consti•
tution.

Finally, as to the Neufchatel constitution itself. which
the King of Prussia would maintain, at least for some time,
and as to the eleaond rights which he would deprive
foreigners of, M. Kern observes in the first place that the
Neufchatel constitution is the work of the Neufchatel
people themselves, and that the federal authorities have no
power to abrogate Article 71, which stipulates that it may
be revised at any time under certain fixed conditions; and,
secondly, that only Swiss citizens have the right of voting,
and that not till after a residence of two years in the
canton.

The Grand Duke Constantine of Russia arrived
at Toulon from Nice on Monday afternoon. His
Imperial Highness was received with all the
honour due to hie exalted rank :

The squadron was not telegraphed until half-past twelve.
A great movement was then perceived on board the fleet.
The drums beat to arms on board the Bretagne (carrying
the admiral's flag) and the other ships, and at three the
batteries of the Grosse Tower fired a salute of twenty one
Funs. The yards were manned in gallant style on board
the fleet. At that moment the Olaf entered the outer
harbour. The panoramic view was very magnificent—the
clear blue sky, and the heights crowded with spectators ;
cries of " Vire l'Ernpereur " and hurrahs filled the air,
and the volleys echoed from the hills had au indescribable
effect. Scarcely had the smoke caused by the guns of the
fleet dispersed, than the 014, which passed between the
double line of ships, returned the salute, and hoisted the
tri-coloured flag. The steamer stovp,-cl, and the Maritime
Prefect, with his staff in the Imperial barge, went along-
side. The prefect took the order* of the Grand Duke,
and returned to shore. In the meantime the troops of
the garrison were formed in the arsenal, to pay military
honour to the illustrious visitor. The Maritime Prefect
and Admiral Trehouart received the Grand Duke on his
landing, at a quarter to five. The Grand Duke is de-
scribed as thirty years of sue, fair, and of middle size. He
wore the decorations of St. Andrew and St. George over
an admiral's uniform. His Highness passed through the
lines formed by the troops in the arsenal, the band
playing Queen Hortense's air, " Partant pour la Syne,"
and the drums beating an Imperial salute. He then
stepped into the prefect's carriage and drove to the pre-
fecture's, where the principal officers of the army were
presented to his Imperial Highness. Next morning the
Grand Duke Constantine visited the arsenal, military port,
and Imperatrice Eugenie frigate. In the afternoon the
Prince went out to the squadron, and passed two hours on
bard the admiral's flag-ship, which he examined most
minutely, and expressed the greatest satisfaction at all he
saw. He returned to shore at half-past five, and in the
evening was present at a dinner of thirty covers given at
the Maritime Prefect's.

The Grand Duke will arrive in Paris on Thursday,
April the :30th, and will remain to May the 18th.
During his stay there will be fetes in Paris and at
Fontainebleau, a grand ball at the Tuileries, a grand

APRIL 25, 1857.

soiree at the Hotel de Vile, races in the Bois de
Boulogne, a hunt at Fontainebleau, and a review at
the Champ de Mars. The Prince will leave Paris
on the 113th of May for Bordeaux, and after seeing
the town will embark for Nice on board the Imperial
yacht the Reine Hortense.
The Legislative Session of France will be prolonged
from the 16th to the 31st of May, in order to intro-
duce and carry some important financial measures.