The Express.
London, England, 1868-06-20 00:00:00

ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.

The Duke of Cambridge and Prince and Princess
Christian, with their suites, attended the annual distribu-
tion of prizes at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich,
yesterday. It was expected by the public that the Queen
and Prince of Wales would have been present, her
Majesty having some time since signified a wish to attend
the " break-up " at which Prince Arthur, having served
his cadetship, would receive his lieutenant's commission in
the Royal Engineers. The expectation was, however, dis-
appointed. A brilliant staff of generals and other ofrie at,
high in rank received the royal visitors, who drove from
Londin and arrived on the parade ground in front of the
Academy soon after 11 o'clock. A guard of honour was
formed by a squadron of Hussars, and the cadets were
drawn up on the ground. A large number of ladies
promenaded upon the sward within the enclosure.
After the royal salute had bien fired, and the National
Anthem played, the cadets were marched past, drilled,
and put through a few simple battalion movements.
Prince Arthur was placed in command of a company,
and shouted his orders in true military disregard of his
own blood vessels. His residence at Woolwich has hid
a decidedly beneficial effect upon his health, and he has
grown to be a tall, straight young soldier. The duke,
who wore the uniform of the Blues, inspected the
cadets, and then the entire company adjourned to the
gymnasium. The drawings of the pupils were examined,
by which time the large hall was thronged to witness the
presentation of prises. The royal party, with a few
privileged persona connected with the garrison, occupied
• dais at the and, and the cadets were arranged to form
three Odes of a square in the body of the hall.
The general public were allowed to wedge themselves in
behind the young gentlemen, whose tall bearskins effec-
tually prevented anyone under six foot high seeing any-
thing but the rear cut of a cadet's uniform. A report was
presented upon the dais, and it shared the fate of many
other such documents—it was read, hut not heard. We
afterwards gathered that it was the report of the
council; that it recommended, out of the 44 first-class
cadets, 19 for commissions in the Royal Engineers, and 23
for admission intheßoyal Artillery; and stated that the exa-
minations had been on the whole good. The "gentlemen
cadets" were next called up to receive their commissions,
Prince Arthur receiving the first call. Of course this cere-
mony was applauded. A distinct muttering was heard
in the direction of the dais, caused, it was said, by an
officer reading another report, which spoke of the pleasure
Prince Arthur bad given by his conduct and acquirements,
and of the general regret felt that he was leaving. Prizes
to successful candidates were next awarded. This tieing
done, the Commander-in-Chief expressed his satisfaction
at the progress made in the Academy, particularly at the
indications that scientific acquirements were in the
ascendent, and that the cadets had shown a spirit of
esprit if. corps that should distinguish every soldier. At
the same time he reminded them that after all there was
nothing like discipline, without which an army was a
mere mob, but possessed of which it was an organi-
zation that could do anything. The Abyssinian
campaign he quoted as an instance of the theory that
where officers set an example of fortitude and discipline,
an English soldier would be sure to follow it. A second
time the duke impressed upon the cadets that discipline
Was essential in every army, but in none more than ours.
He asked them also to show themselves worthy of being
brother officers of • member of the highest family in the
realm, and always to remember to behave like gentlemen.
After apologising for the shamee of the Prince of Wales,
the duke wished the cadets a pleasant holiday, and they
were marched away. Before leaving, the royal party
witnessed some gymnastic feats.

The Countess Cowper received at dinner yester-
day evening, at her residence in Bt. James's-square---The
Marquis and Ma:chimes' of Ailesbury, the Comtism de
Grey, the Countess of Dunmore, Viscount Halifax and
Hon. Wes Wood, Viecount Canterbury, Lord Dangles,
Lord Ronald Leeman Gower, the Lord Chief Joshes (Sir
Alexander Cockburn), Hon. J. F. Stuart Wortley, Hon•
Mr. Fogey, Colonel Towers, &c.

A new sovereign is about to visit Paris. The
Queen of Mold& has arrived at Suez on board the Ye/-
flower, on bar way to Paris. Whine is one of the
Comas group, situated at the southern entrance of the
hforanibique Channel.

A large and influential audience wee attracted
to the Royal United Service 'institution yesterday to hear
the Deputy-Director of Works, Colonel arvois, C. 8.,
R.Z., deliver a lecture upon "Coast Defences, sad the
Application of Iron to Fortification." Th 3 interest was
sufficient to attract the Prince of Wales, the Commander..
in-Chief, the Comte de Paris, Sir J. Burgoyne, Sir F.
Grey, Sir H. Storks, Sir R. Walpole, Sir J. Hay, Sir C.
Trevalyan, and many other members of parliament, oft-
ars, and gentlemen.