The Express.
London, England, 1861-10-03 00:00:00

PORTSMOUTH, OCT. 2.
The Chesapeake, 51, screw frigate, Captain
Rochfort Maguire, with the fag of Rear Admiral Sir Lewis
Tobias Jones, K.C.8., arrived at Spithead this morning,
from the East Indies and China, and exchanged salutes
with Vice Admiral Sir Homy W. Bruce, K.C.B. She sent
her hospital owes to Hasler this afternoon, and will pro-
bably sail to the eastward to pay off.
The Megan., 6, iron-screw steam troop ship, Com-
maader Samuel H. Henderson, was taken out of the steam-
basin to-day after reFaini. She is expected to sail next
week for the West Indies.
The Virago, 6, steam-aloop, Commander William H.
Johnatone sailed to-day for the eastward.
The Emerald, 51, screw frigate, Captain Arthur Cum-
ming, has taken on board to-day Armstrong guns, in lieu of
her 68-pounders on the upper deck.
The Recruit, 6, iron paddle-wheel steam vessel, Com-
mander David Spain, is to proved to Woolwich, to pay off.
Rear-Admiral Hon. George Grey inspected the Orpheus,
21, screw corvette to-day.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge embarked on
board the Fire Queen steam vessel, Master Frederick W.
Paul, at noon to-day, and crossed over to Hyde on a visit to
the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia. The squadron at
Spithead maimed yards and fired a royal salute as the Fire
Queen passed through Spithead. The Victory and St. Vin-
cent also saluted the royal standard.
A grand review of the troops stationed in this
garrison and in the neighbourhood took place on
Southsea-common this afternoon, in the presence of
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, Corn-
maoder-in-Cliief, and a numerous staff of officers. The re-
view was on an unusually extensive scale, and the event was
regarded with so much interest, seen in this borough, where
spectacles of the some kind are of frequent occurrence, that
many of the shops were closed, and many thousands of
people assembled on Smithies Common to witness the move-
ments. The troops congregated about three o'clock, and
consisted of the mounted Armstrong battery of Royal
Artillery from Hiles; the 6th brigade with small arms, lot
battalion of the 2nd Queen's, 2nd battalion of the 18th
regiment, the Portsmouth division of Royal Marines, the
27th regiment, and Ist battalion of the sth regiment ; and
these troops were supplemented by about three
companies of the 3rd administrative battalion of
Hants Rifle Volunteers, and the 2nd Hants Artillery
corps. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge was
attended by Major. General Sir Richard Airey, Colonel Clif-
ton, Colonel Wodehouse, Colonel Biegliam, aud Lieutenant-
Colonel Jervis. The staff of Major.tleneral Lord W. Paulet,
who commanded the troops, was composed of Colonel
Somerset,Colonel Thackwell,Colonel Gordon, oonimandant of
Royal Engineers ; Colonel Anderson, Commandant of Royal
Manures ; Captain Milligan, Captain Breton, kc. After the
troops had passed in review order,. the batteries opened fire
from Southsea Castle, and the various battalions 011 the com-
mon were then put through a aeries of evolutions incidental
to attack sod defence, and finally retreated into the garrison,
where they manned the lines commanding the approaches from
the common, and maintained &sharp fusillade. Their retreat
was also covered by the heavy ordnance mounted on the
ramparts, and the outwork; which opened fire, and kept
it up with considerable vigour for sonic time. The main
body of the troops formed in battalions on the Governor's-
green, within the walls, and the firing from the walls was
continued until all the troops were within the garrison.
The various movements appeared to be exceedingly well
executed, and if they did not give satisfaction to the com-
mander-in-chief, they afforded great gratification to the
immense concourse of persons who assembled to witness
them.

CHATHAM, Oer. 2.
This afternoon the troops of the garrison, in-
cluding the Royal and Indian Engineers, the three battalions
of infantry, and the division of Royal Marines, Light In.
fantry, were assembled on the great hoes, in heavy march-
ing order, for the purpose of going through the evolutions
of a brigade field•day, under the command of Major-Geoeral
Eyre, is which they were engaged about two hours.
The Admiralty have given directions for DO additional
shipwrights, joiners, and blacksmiths to be entered at this
dockyard, for the purpose of completing the iron frigate
Defeoce. 22.

The Royal Oak, 51, iron-plated steamer, is now entirely
in frame, and the shipwrights hare commenced planking her.
Her armour plates will be bolted on teak planking 12 inches
in thicker'.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL SHIPS.

Her Majesty's ship Roscawen will shortly, it is
expected, take the place of her Majesty's school ship Eagle
in Southampton Water. There are about 250 bo)•s ou board
the Eagle, but the Boscawen will hold 400. No boys are
admitted on board these school ships melees they can read
and write, and are of good character. Many of them are
orphans. They receive a thoroughly good education to fit
'them for able seamen and petty officers in her
Majesty's navy. The present school ship excites
great interest in Southampton, and many gentlemen
visit her to watch the progress of the boys. The latter go
through the gun exercise in a very masterly way. They
Isere cutlass exercise by means of the single-stick, and
many of them not more than 14 or 15 years of age are pro-
ficienta in the art. They are also instructed in singing and
in all athletic exercises. They chauut the church service
on Sundays. and do it very creditably. The chaplain of the
Eagle, the Rev. Mr. Flalliene, is now preparing a great uuni-
bar of them for confirmation by the Bishop of Winchester.
Yesterday the whole of the boys had a holiday ashore.
They were conveyed in a small steamer from the
Eagle up the Itchen River, where they were landed, and
from whence they marched, accompanied by their officers
with dogs flying and drums and fifes playing, to the
Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, which Major Raven-
hill permitted them to inspect. They then returned to
Netley Abbey, the proprietor of which allowed them to
wander over the beautiful ruins without charge. They
afterwards marched to the neighbouring hotel, and were
supplied there with a capital dinner. They then adjourned
to MajorW braham's Pas kat ?Utley fort, where they sparred,
ran, and played single-stick for prizes. The Mayor of
Southampton, with a number of the town councillors and
ladies and gentlemen, was present to witness the sports aad
to distribute the prizes. The sparring with gloss of many
of these boys would have been no disgrace to the P. It.,
and the stamina And pluck which they displayed in
running and singleetick augured well for the future pro.
spects of the British navy. During the afternoon the
boyish band played their music, and some of them
showed considerable musical taste and ability. At half-
past 4 the whole of them had three-quarters of a pound
of good plum cake each served out to them, with as couch
coffee as tbey required. They sung songs and choruses, and
luitily cheered their officers aad benefactors during the day.
At lialf.iost five the boys marched to Woolstone on the
Itches, and were conveyed by steamer to their ship. The
expense of the file was borne by Mr. G. N. Cooksey, a
wealthy mid benevolent merchant and town councillor of
Southampton, who promised that it should be an armed
one if the boys conducted themselves well. During the
day the lads were addressed by the Mayor of
Southampton and by Mr. Burgess, the first lieutenant
of the Eagle. The latter publicly thanked Mr. Coolusey for
his benevolence, and paid a very high compliment to Mr.
Degee, another Southampton town councillor, who keeps
au open house for the pour orphan boys of the Eagle, so
that they may have when oo shore a friend and a home to
go to, like their more fortunate merrnates. Although the
discipline is very strict on board the Eagle it is pleasing to
see the kindness of the officers towards their juvenile crew,
and the content aad cheerfulness of the latter, the alacrity
with which they pay respect to those in command over
them, and their fondness for all healthy exercises.