The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-16 00:00:00

[*TRAMPED Id. ADDITIONAL.] ONE PENNY.

THE CAMP AT WIMBLEDON.

WIMBLEDON, WEDNESDAY.

The volunteers assembled at Wimbledon never
had a narrower escape for their lives than occurred
to-day. The ammunition tent, containing several
thousand pounds of gunpowder, was all but
blown up, and that through a custom which
should be abolished forthwith—if necessary by the
summary processes known to a provost-marshal.
Shortly before the mid-day gun an alarm of
fire was raised, and it was soon seen that the
grass running up to the entrance of the ammuni-
tion tent was in a blaze. A fusee had been thrown
down on it by some careless smoker, and the dry
grass, which is like so much wizened and
crumpled up shavings, was immediately in a
flame. The whole place was in consternation on
the instant, but volunteers and regulars immedi-
ately crowded to, and not from, the rapidly ex-
tending fire. The Camp Commandant, Colonel
Colville, was promptly on the spot, and gave hur-
ried orders to sound the Assembly—the call from the
head-quarter bugle laid down in the regulations
in case of fire, and preceded by three (I's—while
officers and men rushed for and with pails of
water, and threw themselves bodily upon the
flames. All who understood the danger were
terrified. Some of the shop-stall keepers in Bazaar-
lane threw themselves on the ground; others set
off as fast as their heels would carry them in an
opposite direction to the fatal tent ; and contradic-
tory instructions and advice wore proffered on all
aides. After a brief but terrible suspense the fire
was got under, and the camp saved. It is im-
possible to exaggerate the results if the swiftly-
spreading blaze had gone on a few minutes longer
in the direction of the tent it aimed for. The
ammunition is immediately in front of the Wind-
mill and of the cottages and tents occu-
pied by Lord Spencer, Captain Mildmay,
Captain Drake, as well as the administrative
officers of the association. Those who remember
the devastation caused by the explosions at Faver-
sham and Hounslow can estimate the effect of
thousands of pounds of gunpowder being sud-
denly fired in the vicinity of a densely populated
and totally unprotected camp. Some stringent
I regulations against the recurrence of this disaster
should be promulgated forthwith. Directly the
danger was over the council extended the range
of prohibition of smoking, and policemen were
at once stationed to prevent men with cigars or
pipes coming beyond the line formed by the flag-
staffs of the association. But this is not enough.
The entire camp is inflammable as tinder. Throw
down a half-used fusee, and the ground at your
feet is in a blaze as if by magic, and there must
be stricter regulations than have yet been enforced
before a repetition and fulfilment of the eatas-
tropheof to-day can be pronouncedunlikely. Mean-
while thoughtful visitors to Wimbledon will find
food for reflection in the large patch of burnt and
charred ground in front of the chevauz de/rise
guarding the ammunition.
The additions to the St. George's prizes which
have been announced are not known to the asso-
ciation. It has been stated in a quasi official
volunteer journal that in consequence of the num-
ber of entries this year it is the intention of Colonel
Lindsay to increase the prizes in the St. George's
shooting match. Formerly, in addition to the
Challenge Cup and Dragon Cup, certain jewels were
given by Colonel Lindsay to the men distinguish-
ing themselves in the competition. These were
withdrawn for a time, but have been spoken of aa
possible additions again this year. But up to a
tolerably late hour yesterday Captain Mildmay
had heard nothing certain as to this; and as the
Association is naturally the proper quarter to
which all intelligence concerning prizes should be
made, some ambiguity prevails as to the extent of
the prizes to be given by the St. George's.
The Queen's Prize shooting to-day was good,
but not remarkable. Up to lunch time Mr.
Pixley, of the Victories, carried off the palm, but
it is too soon yet to form opinions concerning the
result, and that it is " anybody's prize yet" is
admitted even by the people fondest of prophecy.
Some of the competitors in the Lords and Com-
mons' match were practising yesterday ; and all
doubts as to Lord Abercorn's participation in the
struggle to-day were removed by the sight of his
lordship, rifle in hand, busily at work upon the
butts yesterday afternoon. This match always
brings down more ladies than any other, except,
perhaps, that between the public schools and is to
take place immediately after tho luncheon rest to-
day, or as nearly as posaible to 3 o'clock. The
following is a list of the competitors :—Lords The
Marquis of Abereorn (Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland),
the Earl of Denbigh, the Earl of Dunmore, the
Earl of Ducie, Earl Spencer, Lord Dufferin. Com-
mons : Lord Elcho, the Marquis of Lome, Sir P.
Egerton, Mr. Bass, Mr. Fordyce, Mr. Malcolm.

The scores made yesterday are given below :
THE DAILY TELEORAPH PRIZE—A CUP value 60 °Mama
atrve Shots 60) Yards.
Winner—Captain(Y Wilkinson, ad West Yorksh
ire, 19 paints.
QUEENII.—FIBET 13TAOK—HIOHEST SCORES,
(Five Shots at MO Yards.)
Pointe.
Corp. Mollineuz, 49 Lane. l9
Private &Meek, 10 Climb— 19
Private Frost, 26 Kant l9
Lieut. Candake 5 Somerset lB
D.-Maj. Hutchinson, 1 Oloa lB
Private Moore, 22 Q. West lB
Lieut. Shipway, M Q. West lB
Corp. Oover, 7 Donetelaire
Lieut. Pixley, 1 Middlesex lB
Private Ouy, Ist Surrey
Private Milled, 18 Cornwall 18
L.-Corp. Orwell, 19 Stafford. 18
Lieut. Mellor, 6 W. Tartish. 18
Lieut. Wilson, Bed lAneash. 18
Carp. Baker, 1 Lineonshire lB
Private Hoult, 1 Lancashire 17
Runge Oates, 6 Lirreohnh l7
Corp. Scott, I Selkirkehire l7
Berg. Allen, 25 Somersetsh l7
Berg. Roberts, 8 Monmouth. 17
Corp. Breese, 1 Norfolk
Corp. Jetsam, 21 Norfolk
Berg. Hold 11 Stafforda l7
Berg. Booth, 28 Staffordshire 17
Corp. lanes, 2 Banffehire
Berg. Stewart, 2 Banffshire l7
Serf. Meehan', 1 London
The heat continues to be intense. Just as the
mid-day gun gave the signal to cease firing there
were several claps of thunder over Putney, but
the threatened storm went off, and the shooters
for the Queen's Prize this afternoon were at con-
siderable disadvantage. " Like shooting through
an aquarium," said one gentleman disappointed
of a bull's eye, and the mirage and capricious
gusts of wind were declared on all sides to become
more and more baffling as the day progressed. The
following aro the competitions of to-day :
Queen's, 500 yards • Alexandra, lit stage ; The
" Martins " Cup ; Lords and Commons' Match ;
Enfield Association Cup • Extra Prizes, Enfield,
600 yards ; Military Breech-loader, Ist stage ;
The " Eley " Prize ; Sweepstakes, 200, 900, and
1,000 yards.
The following order was issued to-day:
- - -

Pointe.
Lieut. Thvaitee, 3 W. York. 17
Private Mason, 7 W. York 17
Private Swain, 7W. York l7
Lieut. Chapman, 1316. York 17
Col.-Sergt. Clews, 8 Rant l7
Private Snelos, t Glasgow l7
Corp. Herbert, 13 Glos l7
Private Maddens, 1 Henifd 17
Private Ryne, 10 Cumberind 17
Private 7 Surrey
Private Sproat, 16 Middlesex 17
Private Barker, 9 Middlesex 17
Private Wright, t Beranek l7
Sergeant Rowe, 1 Exeter l7
, Sergi. Witham, 23 Middleix l7
Bergt. Soeservaß, l Middles: 17
Serge Richards, 1 London 17
&mg. Bailie, 16 Middlesex
B ergt.Xamostie, II Surrey l7
Majorßridgman, 9 Middle= 17
Captain Norris, 9 Middlesex 17
Captain ffimme, 6 Cor.
Limed. Batten, Clm. Unfree l7
Reign Jonea, 1 Chem
Resign ll'lntyrtil 7 , 7 Dumfries 1
Corporal Cluilmas,l Aberda 17

Ensign While, 39th Middlesex, having, during the
cessation of firing, discharged • breech-loading rifle in
the Members' Camp, contrary to regulations, is, in accord-
ance with Rule 19, debarred from all further competition
during, the meeting, and at the same time forfeits his
entrance fees.—By order, E. Sr. Jo s= MILIMAY.

THE MILLWALL GIIN-t3HIELD.

The trial of this shield commences to-day at
Shoeburynese, and as this trial is but the precursor
of a series of others, notably with some of the
Gibraltar shields, strengthened or altered from
the original design, it is worth while to consider
what are really the functions of an embrasure
shield.

When a number of guns are in position in a
coast battery, it is obvious that to cover them
properly by a wall of iron armour would be
excessively costly, more particularly as from
the nature of our new rifle-guns the in-
tervals at which they must be placed
are of considerable width ; consequently, when
the site will allow, earth or masonry may be used
to cover the greater portion of the front of the
battery, but, in order to allow the guns inside the
work to have the fullest development of fire, it is
necessary that the cover immediately in front of
them should be so thin that neither earth nor
masonry alone would form an efficient protection
at these portions. Iron then comes into play, in
the form of • shield of moderate thickness, as
affording adequate cover, and as permitting this
cover to be given without weakening too much
the vicinity of the port through which the gun is
fired.

Now, the minimum dimensions for a shield to
cover effectually this necessarily thin wall of tho
battery have been laid down as 12 feet in length
by 8 feet in height, and the amount of training
desirable for the gun in rear of the shield should
be about 36 dege. on each side of the port, or 70
dogs. altogether in a lateral direction.
The programme laid down for the trial of the
Millwall shield is understood to be, round for
round, identical with the practice carried on against
the Gibraltar shield ; it is, therefore, natural to
infer that some comparison is intended to be insti-
tuted between the two systems. Let us then
compare the development of fire allowed to the 9-
inch rifle-gun by the two shields ; this is as
follows, viz.:
Lateral training. Elevation. Depression.
Gibraltar shield .. 70 deg. 10 deg. 6 deg.
Millwall shield .. 33 „ nil. 6 „
It is held by the advocates of muzzle-pivotting
carriages that when these inventions are introduced
into the service the same amount of elevation and
depression will be obtained from behind both
shields; granted that this be so, there ranging the
awkward fact that less than half the proper
lateral training is obtained in rear of the Millwall
shield. Consequently (muzzle-pivotting to the
contrary notwithstanding), two guns, two shields,
two casemates, and two gun detachments will be re-
quired with two Millwall shields, in order to obtain
nearly the game amount of fire that one of each of
these element, would give in the case of one
Gibraltar shield.

The Millwall shield weighs about 38 tons, the
Gibraltar shield about 26 tons, the former costing
about 1,3301., the latter 983/. Now when we con-
sider that whatever type be ultimately adopted
for our embrasure shields the numbers required
will have to be measured by hundreds if not by
thousands, it is obvious that difference of cost,
even to a slight degree, in individual shields will
be a great element of comparison between diffe-
rent systems.
If, therefore, the two systems in question are
to be compared, these points must be prominently
kept in view—viz., the difference in weight and
cost already alluded to ; and in this not merely Of
difference in price of the two shields, but of all
the contingent requirements of the two systems,
when the same amount of fire is to be obtained in
either case from the guns they cover.

A meeting of the Commissioners of the Patriotic
Fund was held at the Palace, Weetininster, yeeterday.
The follow-mg commissioners were at :—His Royal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge ent), Earl of
Chichester, Earl Nelson, Lord Petre, Rokeby, Lord
Chelmsford, Lord Lyveden, Sir John Pakington, General
the lion. J. Lindsay, the Right Hon. General Peel, Field-
Marshal Sir John Fox Burgoyne, Field-Marshal Sir Hew
Rees, Lieut.-General Sir Edward Lugard, General Sir
Richard Decree, Maj
Billie
-General Sir john W. Gordon,
Admiral W. A. **3 Hamilton, Lieut.-General Eyre,
Brigadier-General Lefroy, and Colonel Adair, A.D.C.
Mr. Wm. Hy. Mugford, the secretary, attended. Mr. A.
G. Finlaison, the actuary of the National Debt-office, was
also in attendance. _ _ .

Yesterday morning Sir Travers Twies, the vicar-
general of the province of Canterbury, Mr. Francis Hart
Dyke, the registrar, and other officials, attended at the
Jerusalem Chamber for the purpose of further proroguing
the convocation, although virtually it is a dissolution,
inasmuch as the convocation expires with the parliament,
which has only a few days to run. The upper house will
remain as it is in the new parliament, unless any changes
take place meanwhile upon the episcopal bench, and in
the lower house the deans and archdeacons who sit ex
ofrio will not be affected. The representatives of chapters
and the proctors for the clergy of the various dioceses
must go to their constituents for re-election, exactly as in
the case of members of the House of Commons.

The Bishop of London held a confirmation at
Ealing yesterday morning, in the presence of the Rev. E.
Parry, rector of Acton ; the Middleton, rector
of Greenford ; the Rev. D. Coleridge, rector of 'Un-
well ; and other clergymen. It is announced that on
Sunday next his lordship will hold a oonfirmaticrn at
St. Mary's, Newington-butts; on Wednesday next at
Staines ; on Monday, the 27th inst. at West Hackney;
and on the 3rd of Angust at Great Stanmore. This will
complete his lordship's annual list.
THE BISHOP OP ELY AND THE CHURCH QUES-
'Dom.—The Bishop of Ely, at the annual conference of his
clergy and laity just held, adverting to the possible sepa-
ration of church and state, said :—" I trust in God's
mercy that it may be averted, but if it should come it is a
danger which we must face and meet. Ido not wish it to
be thought that I consider this to be the aim of our lead-
ing statesmen. I will say, for instance, that I do not
consider it to be the arm which Mr. Gladstone has in
view ; but the fact that so large a portion of the popula-
tion is alienated from the church, and that that portion is
gaining more political power, must tend towards diseatab-
lisbment. Nevertheless, I should not on that account
despair. We must strive to keep what blessings have
been given to us; but if it should happen that in the
course of the next few years they should be taken away,
we may still strive to maintain the Anglican church; we
should still be of the catholic church in this country ; and,
if organised, we might still be able to prevent our church
on the one hand from being absorbed into Rome, on the
other from dwindling down into a sect. If our church is
not to pale before Rome on the one side or rationalism on
the other, it must be the result of greater life and fuller
organisation."
PROPOSED SUNDAY DEMONSTRATION IN HYDE-
PARK. —Lest evening a meeting, attended by from 1,600
to 2,000 persons, was held on Clerkenwell-green, prepara-
tory to "great demonstration," to be beid in Hyde-park
on Sunday next, to condemn the recent vote of the House
of Lords on the Irish Church Suspensory Bill. Mr.
Thomas occupied the chair, and said the object of the
meeting wee to enlist the sympathy and support of the
men in the Clerkenwell district towards the proposed de-
monstration on Sunday next. Large bodies of men in the
other districts of London bad pledged their support to the
committee who were organising the demonstration, and
he did not believethe men of Clerkenwell would be found
wanting. Processions would be formed in the various
districts, the main one on Clerkenwell-green, which would
proceed to the park with bands andbanners. Resolutions
en accordance with the object of the meeting were pared.
RAILWAY AND OTHER BILLS BEFORE PARLlA-
saner.—Yeeterde , in the House of Commune, in Mr.
Dodem's • sitting in the members' tea-roamltha
Doinvile Estate, and the Isle of Wight (Newport Junction)
Railway, went through committee with amendment', and
were ordered to be reported ; sad the consideration of the
Devon and Cornwall Railway and the Belgravia and
South Kensington New Road Bills was adjourned. In
Group No. 9, wader the chairmanship of air Edward Cole-
brook*, theCembrisalteilways (Revived line to Dolgelly)
was fully considered and agam adjourned.
DoinuareffillZD Vontßa.—Yeatewr2c
till, the Acid of
Parliament was printed
etzrzerve the at elestore
in municipal boroughs in which • oasis le imiseta
members of parliament the next dissolution. ,
NZW RULE AT THE JUDGES'
day a new rale, making sannisonsee returishial '1
will take effect aeknowladgmene at •'
•

The Cattle-market BM COMM on for
consideration in the Nome dCoormans thk
BittAlinairrrifreeltdll6ooA.u
FaliVtisceihd.

QITEEN'B TIIEATItE. LONG ACRE.
Manager--Mr. W. H. LISTON.
TO.NIO HT :ninth nt a Quarter to Eight, a Now Ronttntis
Drama, in three art, entitled TIME and the HOCK. Yews. A.
Wigan. J. L. Toole, W. II Strpheil... L. protlith. U. Mornay. Jno.
Clayton, H. Crellin ; Woos H. Hodson, P. Markham. Nolly
7doott- To conclude with F. C. Burnand Etti.'s highly succossdul
Mean of Ettnosicance. FIIWL PLAI.
•
TIME and the HOUR.—" Is perfectly sue-
t...what" —Times.

FOWL PLAY.—Messrs. J. L. Took, L. Brough,
n. Wyndham, W. H. Mayhems, O. Murray. fir:
Mimes H. Hon and E. Parrett.

9111 E LANCAStIIItE LASS, an Original Drawn
of strong domestic and undo-dramatic tnterest, to Four
Tableaus and a Prologue, written by Henry J. Byron. Author of
" Dean r than Life," &e., will be produoed on the 000asion of Yr.
W. H. Liston'allrot Itmetit. FRIDAY. July f 4

THE LANCASHIRE LASS.

ROYAL ALHAMBRA PALACE.—Three
Ballets. Promenade Camera Band of If. Boiin at &
Box.oftlee open from 11 to t.

FUI{NITITItE and DECORATION. —JACIC-
SON and GRAHAM invite families about to furnish to in-
*pert the serious ilegiiitment. of their establishment the letpost
and most oomplete it its kind) au] their inanufuctory adjoining,
in wldch. with the aid of sham wer and machinery, all means of
economising cost in the loydnyt *on of and.olasa furniture are em-
ployed. The aliew.risinn COW:WI every description and style of
furniture from that siispted to the n.quirements of those who de-
sire to hirm-h at the noy.f evonymic3l rate consistent with good
taste and menu) wvrkntanehip to that in which art industry of the
highest elves i. me Es cry article marked in plain Nowt*
et cash liners 34, 3.5, 37, and :17f. 0/deed-street.

tiSLER'S GLASS CIIANDELIERS, Wlll
I,iFhts. and Distr.*. for Gas and Candles, Table Glass,
de. Glass Dinner Serve-es for 12 persons from £7 12s. (Pass
Dessert Service for 12 persons from £1 All articles nuirkml m
plain figurer, Ornamental Wass. Encliah and Forei‘m, suitable
for presents. Mesa, Export, and Furnishing orders promptly
executed.
Loa ocm—Show.rooms. 45. Oxford-street, W.
Ili till MONA 11—Manutretury and Mow-rooms, Broad-street
Established Pe.

CAIN"
"DELIERS in BRONZE and ORMOLU
for DINING-ROOM and LIBRARY, Candelabra, Moderator
Lamm in Bronze, Ormolu, China, and Olazz. Statnettew in
Tartan, Vases and other Ornaments, in a room erected exPreeel7
for these articles. OSLER. 4.5, Oxford•treet, W.

WILLIAM CHI7RTON and 80N,
HOBIEIIB and SHIRTYAKEBS.
LADIES' UNDERCLOTHING.
91 and ft OXFORD-STREET.

ROJIWICK'S PURE
.A-P AILING POWDER se the
REST.—Ask for and have only
ORWIOKE PURE BAKING POWDER.
Sold everywhere.

T H E

The Price of
DAILY

L now

ONE PENNY.

NEWS

THE POLITICAL AND LITERARY
Dimness of the Jayne! remains Unchanged,
AND IS SUPPORTED BY AN ACCESSION
OF EMINENT WRITERS.

THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE
Mb on aa or of decrial end Exclusive Oorreep
embracing the entire World.

THE CITY AND COMIIDERCIAL NEWS
ii, se heretelegek Pull. Tarty, sad Impartlal. Ia • wood, tie
seesegegusts hays undergone Oa other iroatiestios than mask NI
WY 0414:46W, to a mom thorough and 'SWIM regremat•tlos sad
otioeuidoei et the oosoortoos• latorest• ma wagons oi the 4•7.

re AND AD'

11111111101117 017101.
r, IfLZIZATBZET.

B. 801

Ent eaproo.

HAYKARKET..

Tau svainif, ensiVolyliiiiii) sus WOVLI war.
Menne. Buck:stone, Chippendale, Howe, Weeds], de ; Mesdames
Robertson, Burke, FitnenWien, Ike.—PAY TO THE BEARER
A Kres.—mr. Boeketone's Address.—And FRIEND WRIGLIdi.

Tata Evyttwo, A OHCI3T IN tirTTII Or HIMSELF. Yr.
Dominick Murray.—After which RUTH. Messrs. J. O. Shore,
Maclean, B. Potter, Cathcart, *c. ; Madames Trim., Kamm,
/*matt, Addie, Graham, sad Kate Saville.

QUEEN'S THEATRE., LONG-ACRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Linton.
Ti.n Erma°, at 7, MARY JONES.—At a quarter to 8,
TIME AND THE HOUR. Means. A. Wigan, S. L. Toole, Stephens,
Brougb, and Clayton ; Mires H. Hodson, Markham. and Nally
Maerc—Te conclude with FOWL PLAY.

STRAND.
Tong Emma, SISTERLY ORRYICL—THE FIELD OF TEI
CLOTH OF 00L1).—And MARRIAOS AT ANY PBXS

BRITANNIA.

Tins Eritann), THE LIFE OF : HLS TRIALS
AM) 111$ NTRUOULLS; OR, THE WEB OF DESTINY.
Mr J. Reynolds; Mal M Hendcrann.—Mr. H. Rickards, Mina
L. Austen, t M. Jean Pnce.—THE KNIOHTS OF THZ ROAD.