The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-20 00:00:00

OUR NATIONAL DEFENCES.

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ihrirriDg x

Arguing from the success of Prussia and
the 1101:140001111/ of Italy in the late war, the Timer
proceeds to consider the means of defence in this
country. Seven years it says have been employed, not to
say wasted, in costly experiments, and it learns from the
highest official authority the melancholy condition of oor
fleet, and from an equally high non-official authority the
blundering of our administration and the maladministra-
tion of our dockyards. What solid reason is there to
believe that our fleet, if called on in its present state for a
great effort, would come with better grace out of the con-
flict than the fleet of Italy at Lima? Or, turning from the
navy to the army, on what does our overweening confi-
dence in our ability to resist and repel invasion test
The Times is not satisfied with the state either of
the army or navy, and aeknowleges that though there
was nothing Lord Palmerston had more at heart than the
efficiency of the naval and military services, yet there is
nothing of which we have more reason to complain than
the manner in which they were provided for under his
long administration. The Nevi was withdrawn from the
House of Commons, and the multi now show how little
ground there was for that absolute and excessive confidence
with which the department has been treated. The army,
which should only have been intrusted to the first admi-
nistrative talent in the country, was plated in the hands
of the late Lord Herbert of Lea, an amiable and accomp-
lished gentleman, but ono whose attention was more de-
voted to the comfort and improvement of the soldier than
to the efficiency of the military defence of the country.
Sir George Lewis, with all his talents and learning, brought
neither experience nor aptitude to the task, ►nd since his
death the office has been held by two young noblemen
fairly acquainted with official routine, but having no pre-
tension to that masterly grasp of the subject which it so
greatly needs. Till this be ►ltered—till we come to con-
sider the administration of the departments on which the
safety of the nation directly depends as among the very
weightiest affairs of state, and devote to them our very best
men, we must be content to live on as we do now, relying
on the forbearance of our neighbours rather than on our
own strength and resources.

Reviewing the battle of Lissa, the Daily News says that
action shows that wooden ships will still have a part to
play, though it may be a secondary one. Few points have
been so much overlooked in the cry for new guns as the
necessity for an efficient shell gun in both the services, and
both against ironclad. and wooden ships. We must
beware lest the inventions of the scientific artillerists usurp
too much power over the practical gunner. It is quite
possible to go on "improving," whether in su tillery
or breech-loading rifles, till what should be a ready
weapon for a fighting man is turned into a oomph-
cited instrument for killing. An English captain
would undoubtedly have tried conclusions before
letting his antagonist come so near as the Italians
allowed the Austrians. An American, however,
would have fought his enormous guns very much as the
Austrians did, putting his ship at high speed, charging if
the opportunityoccurred, and no doubt wherever his fifteen-
inch shot struck committing great havoc. The steel round
shot of the Austrians appears to have acted upon the weak
plates of the Italian ships much in the smashing man-
ner that the Americans prefer to our neater mode
of penetration by steel shell which explode within
the ship. It is clear, however, that the American
principle of coming to close quarters, ramming,
and firing enormous shot, is confirmed to a great extent by
the action off Lissa ; and notwithstanding the objection
that the Kaiser disabled herself so seriously by the shock
to her masts and engines, running down must be con-
sidered as a regular part of the functions of a ship of war,
strange as it may seem that we should have to return to
so savage and obsolete a practice. The Italians have had
to make their experiments in real warfare, at the sacrifice
of many brave lives, while we can only boast of having
lost our millions of abundant gold on the battle-fields of
Shoebnrynesa and Hayling Island, with the disgrace of
not having yet either guns or ships that can be pro-
nounced better than those which were beaten at Lissa.

The Herald is of opinion that neither the Prussian mili-
tary system nor any other similar one founded on forcible
enrolment can ever be adopted in England. If we desire
to draw a better clam of men voluntarily into our army,
and so improve its morale, as well as fill its vacancies, it
can only be done by following the example of France—re-
teining the veteran soldiers, not by increased pay, which
they may spend in dissipation to the detriment of disci-
pline, but by securing them an adequate independence at
the termination of their engagements, and by such a change
in our system of promotion as will encourage well-born
and well-educated youths to shoulder a musket as a /Neil-
min' sty step to professional advancement.
No country, observes the Star, is more easily defensible
than England. The awkwardness of lending would be im-
mediately erameeded by innumerable difficulties placed in
the way of an invading army by the nature of the country.
Almost every field is a natural fortification. The invader
would probably not get far enough to attempt a pitched
battle, but if he should it would certainly not be before
the soldiers in camp and the volunteers had massed them-
selves in such strength and been disposed with each skill
as to give a good aseount ei the enemy. The army and
the volunteers ought to be habituated to act together;
but for a country so placed either to undervalue the volun-
tary system or to met to work to double its army ea any
pretence whatever, would be to show an inexcusable in-

MONDAY+ . EVE

• ••1110)14 weilessneal
rave

THE PRUSSIAN assexarrown..
Many of the royal ladies of the King of Frermin's family
most of the peat nobles, all the country party, raised their
voices against annexation, observes the Time& Count
Bismarck gave himself out as one of them so long sa
through them he could work out his purpose and overcome
democratic oppositim But now the work ra done. BM-
mat* has the army and the people with him. He breaks
off with the country party, and withdraws the King from
their influence. The courtly cabal bad only one day's imams.
The bill for annexation now lies before the Legislature ; it
will pass both Chambers, and then Hanover, Hesse Camel,
part of Darmstadt, all Nassau, and Frankfort will have
ceased to exist, and Germany will be one down to the line
of the Main.

Amongst the events which have issued from the memor-
able Continental war now happily concluded there is one,
says the Post, which cannot fail to be a source of regret
and sympathy with the English people—the annexation of
the Kingdom of Hanover by Prussia, ofwhich there is now
no further doubt. Hanover is no longer Hanover, but
Prussia; and while the Pod sympathises with the King
and the dynasty which have ceased to be paramount in
the land, it cannot but accept the inexorable logic of facts
and hopes they may turn out to be for the benefit of the
Hanoverian no less than for that of Germany in generaL
Count Bismarck, says the Telegraph, has the ball at his

feet, and may do almost what he pleases. He is for the
moment the popular idol, the rage, the fashion. But only
so long as he carries with him the public sentiment will
Bismarck be a winning man ; the instant that he should
run counter to the national conviction, or subordinate it
to class or dynastic prejudices, that instant he would be
oast aside. It is on such grounds mainly that English
liberals, who consistently opposed him when he was the
foe of liberty and constitutional rights in Prussia, may
now with a safe conscience support him. If the sole re-
suit of the changes now in progress were to substitute one
greet despotism for a dozen petty tyrannies, Europe would
be, not a gainer, but a loser, and German unity would, in
the opinion of the Telegrapk, be a curse rather than a
blessing ; but so long as the most powerful individual in
Germany bids for the support of the people, its hopes
surpass its fears.

Witt (curt.

OSBORNE, Aucurr 18.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, with
Princess Louise, in a carriage and four, attended by the
Honourable Flora M`Donald ; and her Majesty drove in
the grounds this morning with Princess Louise.
Prince Leopold drove to Freshwater yesterday, by Ca-
risbrook and Calbourne, and returned by Yarmouth.
His Royal Highness was attended by Sir John Cowell,
the Rev. Robinson Duckworth, and Mr. Legg.

Mr. Helps left Osborne yesterday, and returned to
London.

Mr. J. Hughes, of Ryde, has been honoured with the
Queen's commands to photograph Princess Victoria and
Princess Elizabeth of Hesse, at Osborne. _ _

AUGUST 19.

The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon with Princess
Lou;se, Prince Arthur accompanying her Majesty on
horseback.

Prince Leopold drove out, attended by Mr. flahL
Prince Arthur arrived from Greenwich-park, attended
by Major Elphinstone.
The Queen, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, Prince
Leopold, and Princess Beatrice, attended Divine Service
at Osborne this morning.
The Ladies and Gentlemen in waiting were also pm-
cent ; the Rev. George Prothero officiated.
Lady Churchill has succeeded Lady Waterparkore Lady
in waiting.

Despatches were sent on Saturday from the Colonial-
office to the Governors of Gibraltar, Malta, the Mauri-
tius, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Leaman, the Australian Colonies,
and the North American provinces.

His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe-
Weimar, Lord Bingham, and Colonel Tyrwhitt have joined
the party visiting the Duke of Richmond at Gordon
Castle, N.B. The party commenced grouse shooting on
Monday, at Glenfiddich, and nearly 500 brace of grouse
were bagged.
The Duke of Hamilton has left town for Braila
Castle, Isle of Arran, for the shooting season.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Bristol and
Ladies Hervey are expected to arrive at their residence in
St. James's-square to-day from Ickworth Park, near Bury
St. Edmunds.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Kildare and
family intend to leave Qulton-house-terrace to-day for
Kilkee Castle, their seat in the county Kildare.

The Marquis Conyngham will arrive in town to-
day from Bifrons. near Canterbury, on his way to visit
Lord and Lady Londeaborough at Grimaton Park, near
Taticaster.

The Earl of Arran arrived at Saunders Court, his
seat in Ireland, on Friday last. Viscount and Viscountess
Sudley joined the noble earl on Saturday.
The Earl and Countess of Wilton, accompanied
by Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton, have arrived
at the noble earl's shooting box in Inverness-shire, for the
shooting season.
The Earl and Countess of Cawdor have a select
party staying at Cawdor Castle, N. 8., including Viscount
Emlyn, Captain Hon. Henry Campbell, Hon. Ronald
Campbell, Colonel and Lady Victoria Lambton, Mr. Fraser,
&c. At the commencent of grouse shooting, although the
weather was unfavourable, the gentlemen had excellent
sport on the moors..
. . .

Lord and Lady Templemore and family have
arrived at Dunbrody Park, Wexford, Ireland.
Lord Lovat is entertaining a large party of
friends at Beaufort Castle, Invernespahire, for the shooting
season.

The Hon. Mrs. Ives has left Hertford-street for
Brentworth Hall, her seat near Alton, Hants. _ _

On Saturday last the marriage was celebrated
of Mr. Alfred Seymour, M.P., with Mrs. Botfield, the
widow of the late Mr. Beriah Botfield, M.P., and second
daughter of Sir Baldwin Leighton, Bart., of Loton Park,
Shropshire. There was a breakfast afterwards at the yeti.
dence of the bride's father in Eaton• square, at which were
present Sir Baldwin Leighton and the Mimes Leighton,
Mr. Stanley Leighton, Miss Mary Stanley, Miss Clare
Leighton, the Earl St. Maur, Mr. Henry D. Seymour,
M.P., Sir Henry Rewlinson, K.C.8., M.P., Mr. and Mrs.
Philip Bonverie, Mrs. Ayshtord Sandford, Mr. Henry
Grenfell, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. E. Child, Miss Madden,
the Hon. Henry Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Smith, Mr.
and Mrs. Martineau, itc., &c. After the breakfast the

happy pair started to pass s few days at Dudbroke, the
seat of Frances Countess of Waldegrace, in Essex.

The Right Hon. Sir Lawrence Peel has con-
sented to deliver the inaugural address at the opening of
the forthcoming session of the medical school in eonnen.
tion with Guy's Hospital. At King's College Medical
School the inaugural address will be delivered by Sir
William Ferguson, Bart ; at Westminster, by Dr. Fin-
ch=; at St. Thomas's, by Dr. Barker ; at Middlesex, by
Mr. Halke ; at St. Mary's, Paddington, by Mr. Haynes
Walton • at St. Bartholomew's, by Mr. Savory, F.A.S. ;
at St. George's, by Dr. W. J. Ogle ; at Univemty College,
by Professor Ringer, M.D. The arrangements at the
Charing-crossand London Hospitals, and the recently-
estiiblished Female Medical School, have not yet been
announced.—Senday Gazette.
The Commissioners of Woods and Forests have
caused an additional number of seats to be placed in Ken-
sington Gardens, extending along the whole line between
the broad walk and the wall abutting on the park, from
the bridge to the point nearest the aide of the Prince
Consort Memorial. The new seats are double, one part
facing the gardens towards Kensington Palace, and the
other the perk in the direction of the Serpentine and
Hyde-park-corner.
Wcsnsou Corns. —During her Majesty's absence
from Windsor extensive alterations have been making in
the north wing of the Castle by Messrs. Meyers, of Lon-
don, under the scientific directions of Mr. Sarin of the
Adelphi. About a dozen rooms looking on to the North
Terrace, appropriated to the nee of noblemen and equer-
ries in waiting, have bean stripped of the boarding
panelling, considered dangerous in case of fire. These
rooms will be newly fitted up and redecorated in a style
more suitable for the accommodation of the distinguished
who may occupy them. The improvements ex-
reeiri.d°l7tre taking down of the present grand stain:we at
the state entrance, which is used by visitors as they enter
the state apartments; a portion of the greined ceiling being
considered out of character with the architecture of the
castle, will be taken down and rebuilt. The mew grand
Makeup will be so arranged as almost to reverse its pre-
sent position. The fin* statese in marble of George IV. an
the landing will not be removed from its present position.
—Court James&