The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-28 00:00:00

THE TWENTIETH MIDDLESEX RIFLES.

The members of this corps dined together last
evening at St. James'ehalL The corps was originally
called the Railway Rider, and mustered nearly 700 strong,
but they were joined by Collard's Company, the Metropo.
litan Rifles, and the Pentonville Company, and now num-
ber, as appears by the statement made at the annual ?fleet-
ing, 1,:100 effectivsa. The banquet was held in the largo
bal. The gallenes were occupied by a number of ladies,
friends of the members. The different bands of the regi-
ment played during the evening in the orchestra. The
chair was occupied by Lieut.-Colonel BIGGI, in the uniform
of the Metropolitan Rides the commandant of the
corps, who was anprrted by the Rev. W. Wil-
liams anal the Rev. Andrews, the chaplains;
Major Nelson, Inspector of Volunteers ; Major the Hou.
A. Gage, Major and Alder:Ain Wee, Major-General Me-
thieson, Colonel Lyons, Captain Hayward. Messrs. A.
Houghton, T. Hotraf7g4 Bowyer, Collins, Barrow,
Hackett, Graham, Goldsculd, Adjutant Mac-
hias* and Lieutenant wimp. Many members of other
volunteer corps were present.
Grace was said by the chaplain.
After the usual loyal touts had been given and enthu-
siastically responded
The CRAIRMANT:ed "no Health of the Army, Navy,
end Volunteers." observed that the volunteers ought to be
satisfied that they =gallant atoms as the British army
to lead them to victory. It bad no equal in the globe.
Wherever engaged is had never experienced a reverse.
They ought to be mutant with being an adjunct to such an
army. If it should ever happen they had to be engaged in
any greet operstioe, howeder powerful the volunteers
might be as au army in themselves, they would :levee tot
much without the regular forces. If we pointed to the
of the army in the Crimea. in India, or in China, we most
ever be proud of it, and if . it should ever be their lot to
march with it against the enemy, this they might be sure
of, it would- lead them tosierisda victory.
The toast was responded to byMajor-Genersil ILseott
on the part of the army, and Major Boer on behalf of the
volunteers.

envy was unrepresented. . .
Major Hutson then briefly gave " The Health of the
Comm:milk; 01Roar of the Wth Middlesex Rifles"
The CHATUDIAN, lb aelreowledging the toast, said he had
met with support on every ids, sad es an old obi* who
never devi Lt./ from the truth, be would thereat*** that he
bad never Ind trouble &IMOD be bad undertaken *the 'com-
mand. In conclusion, the gallant chairman proposed " The
health of the Adjutant of the Baginuut, the /ion. A.
Gage."
After a few words from that gentleman other Snots fol-
lowed, that of " The Ladies," propoeed by the CIWZMILLy
being acknowledgedity Captain Dixon.
The proceedings dld not terminate until • lath beer. -
'• • •

I

INDLL "

We have received Bombay journals to May 27,
but they contain little more than confiroutintul of
the Calcutta news, published yesterday, as to the
general quiet of India, and the greater 'hopeful-
ness whicii prevails respecting the cessation of the
famine.

Mr. Gladstone's budget has given great satisfac-
tion in India, as being both in its theoretical and
practical parts so entirely in accordanoe vvatb..Mr.
Icing's. It is regarded us full of hope for the
future of both countries, that the two Chancellors
of Exchequer, rather than impose new taxes, or get
deeper into debt, have resolved to reduce the ex-
penses of national housekeeping.
The extensive reductions• in the native army,
mentioned in Mr. Laing's budget as in a 'Feat
measure carried out, or distinctly ordered in a
manner admitting of no discussion, are rapidly he-
m:mug/ads aeconiphs.
The resolution of his Excellency the Governor-
General in Council for the reduction of the native
infantry of the three presidencies was published in
Bombay on the 13th May. The establishment of
native infantry in the Indian army will henceforth
be as follows :—Under the government of India,
12 battalions ; Bengal army (including Sikh and
Puujaub regiments), 60 ; Madras army, 52 ; Pegu
Sapper battalion (temporary), 1 ; Bombay army,
30 : total, 1.55 battalions—making a total strength
of about 110,400 men of all ranks, native officers
included, against a total of 174,237 of all ranks on
the Ist October, 1859, showing a reduction of more
than 63,800 men of all ranks, and a saving fully
equal to one million sterling.
It is stated that there is to be a new uniform for
the whole native army, to consist of a tunic without
collar, leaving the neck bare, a pair of loose trou-
sers, gaiters, and a newly-invented turban. It is
thought that this uniform would be admirably
suited for the European soldiery in India.
The following account of the death of Lieutenant
Hughes, already announced, is given by a wire-
spondent writing from Manantoddy ou May 11 :
A melancholy occurrence took place in the Terriett (1)
Jungles the other day. Lieutenant Hughes, of the 66th, was
killed by an elephant. He had succeeded in killing one,
but on going in for another his cap missed tire, and be ens
immediately trodden into the mile, from which he found
difficulty iu extricating his fret. One tusk was driven
through his thigh ; his neck, arm, and leg were broken, rind
his chest battened. Much maim is due to one
Ha,lia, woo, on bearing of the accident, went to the spot at
night with torches and found the body. amidst the noise of
tom•toirts, as the place was shies with the monsters.

DEPARTPRZ OF TUE GREAT EASTERN WITH THE
CANADUN Conntoirr.—Shottly after 12 o'clock (none)
yesterday the Great Eastern quitted her moorings in the
Stoyne. and slowly and majestically sailed out of the port on
her voyage to Quebec. The day was cloudless, there NP:.s a
suneune, and the piers and dock walls for five
wiled, as well as the landing stages, were lined with specta-
tors, who ac the gnat chip pissed them responded moat
heartily to the cheers raised by the soldiers who thruesil
the deck and the lower portions of the rigging. As
passed the landing stages she fired salutes, and another on
passing the fort. both ',Addle and screw Were In motion.
In her wake were* score or two of tugs, occasional steamers,
and other bnats, filled with passengers, whose intention was
ti accompany the Great Eastern as far as the Be.l buuy.
The tr‘ops seemed in high spirits, and during the pansige
down the 'Hier a band on board the steamer played airs sal
favourite airs. The %WWI took the Crosby chsuneL At :1
yesterday she passed You Nant (a station on the
Welsh coast) at full speed.

VtstT OF THE PERSIAN AYBASSADOIt TO MALFA.
—The most noticeable event of the week is the arrival on
the 14th inst. of his Excellency Mina Dj..ffer Khr.n,
Ambassador Extraordinary of bis Majesty the i4haii of
Persia. to the Court of St. James. His Excellency pored
through Malta en roe'? to England in October Last, and
now, having accomplished the objects of his mission, is on
his way back to Pelia. The consul and authorities liael
received intimation that his Excellency had taken his
ppuuaarage by the Peuinsulir and Oriental Company's steamer
Indus from Seethanipton, and might be looked for
here about the 13th or 14th inst. At the up-
poluted hour his Excellency disembarked in the
bare ef her Majesty's frigate Liffey, which Lad
beeu placed at his disposal by the naval commsnder-ia-
chief, and was received at the mole of Marminuecetto by a
guard of kosur, and a sahibs of aim-teen puns flied fy,m
Fort at. Limo. He proceeded to the residence of the I'. Ir.
siati IS.e.sul, with whom his breakfasted, and after rooeiviog
and re _ur,,ing the visits of the governor, Sir John taspeuill.
Mar,.han:, and Vice.Admital Martin, his Excellency re-
embirked at the Manarauscatto in the barge of the Liffey
under the same honours as on landing. On stepping on bokrd
Ler Majesty's frigate Terrible, which had been fitted for his
reception, another seats was And from this vessel, the
crew manning yards. Tho Temble, with the Persian
dant eying, then steamed out of port for the Phalli, the
arabesmaior Laving expressed a wish to visit Athena 011 Lie
WS/ to, the Dardanelles.—/Ilafft Times.
DAMAilts Ft lit RA !LW AY ACCUMIFTN. —During thu
last few day,. large damages have Leen martial by junto far
sochienta nun:lined mato/10May MN", and View, awards;
ilt.doubtedly µrove that their assessors helk•ve the w cidents to
hate Leen taincipally due to the want of precise nuutaretnent in
the conduct of relieve. there can he nu doubt that the ant
doetioa of the yallway system has already pestociil a valuable
chanze In the habits 4.l the nation. as re...irds economy of time
and 'mutuality but art.hremaina yet to be dose to reduce tho
hazards of railway travelling. As the first step toward., Junin,
everyorfirtal slit every traveller Ihmila be provided smith
an accurate time keep: r. Yr. J. W. bee, a, of Li dote Lill
and Conant!. offers epeetal aArantaacs in this reirM. :ant
guarantees the exactitude of his watches, which are unusually
es.vlismt.--Indeersereent.)