Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-05-23 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN TIMEig; MAY 23, 1859,

VOLUNTEER CORPS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN TIMES.

Sir,-Our neighboura are now in the midst of war, and
it is the belief of many well-informed that ere long England
will have to unsheath the sword, whether in a Continental
struggle, or to protect our own shores, remains to be seen.
If we were likely to be at peace with all nations, would our
Government have taken the warlike steps that they have
done, and are at this moment doing ? The fact is, the
future is enveloped in a dark cloud, through which we
cannot see. Then let us be prepared for the future. Foreign
despots know well the defenceless state of our country ; they
know that our towns are not crowded with soldiers same as
many of the Continental towns ; they know that massive forts
do not line our coasts, and they know that eight-tenths of our
people are ignorant of the use of fire-arms.
The immediate formation of Volunteer Rite C-drps is
essentially necessary. No time should be to train
up our young men that may be able to defer...d. our country.
Let us take our own town : we have only two forts (at the
mouth of our noble river), which could do but little
towards demolishing the "fleet of e.n invading Power. We
have but few soldiers, and many hours must elapse before
they could be augmented into any considerable force.
We are not likely to receive much encouragement from
Government, who should have supplied every volunteer with a
rifle and accoutrements. The Liverpool Mercury quotes .£l4 for
equipping each volunteer, but I think that we might go more
economical to work. Let us, in the first place, quote the
cost of rifle. Rifle with sword (and scabbard) to fit on the
end of the barrel, in lieu of bayonet, same as used by the
Rifle Brigade, will cost about 74s ; a set of accoutrements
(sling for gun, cartridge pouch, belt for sword, &c.), about
255; green tunic jacket can be made for about 40s, cap as the
corp might fix upon, say lOs - a plain black or blue cap
would do. At the above quoted prices, which from enquiries
I think are correct, the entire expense for equipment is
£7 9s, being only a little over half of the expense quoted in
the Mercury. Many wvql4 bg agreeable to P2e114 £?
or g, that would hot for a moment think of
spending pl 4. There are many it is true that could not
even afford to spend £7. Let our merchant princes
subscribe, for they have the most property, &0., at stake,
and they ought to subscribe willingly in accordance to the
means placed at their disposal. Let the equipments sub-
scribed for publicly, be the property of the subscribers, to be
lent to volunteers as long as their names remained enrolled,
on his leaving the corp to deliver up all equipments in
perfect order.
Our worthy Mayor has already called a meeting of the inha-
bitants to take this matter into consideration, and if the people
of Liverpool wish to defend their country, and preserve their
homes ; they are in duty bound to take such steps as shall be
necessary for the immediate formation of Volunteer Rifle
Corps. Mr. Editor, be good enough to insert the above in
your excellent paper, and oblige yours, &c.,
Quick MARCIL

HOW TO PREVENT WAR-

Put the Royal Reprobates where King David plit Uriah,

COPE BROTHERS, AND co,,
HAVE THIS DAY

REDUCED TIIEik PRICE

SHAG TOBACCO

TWOPENCE PER POUND.

Nelson-street, 12th May, 18S9

üblix 2vmusnunds.

THEATRE ROYAL, WILLIAMSON-SQUARE.—
Mr. W. It. COPELAND has great pleasure in announcing
that he has succeeded in effecting an engagement with the

PYNE AND HARRISON
ROYAL ENGLISH' OPERA COMPANY,
For Twelve:Nights only. -

This justly celebrated Company, whose performance of English
Opera (during the late seasons at the Theatre Royal, Drury-lane,
and Royal English Opera House, Covent-garden, under the immediate
patronage of Her Most Gracious Majesty and H.R.H. the Prince
Consort) have called forth unqualified praise from the whole of the
metropolitan press, and have for twenty-six consecutive weeks
filled the above theatres to overflowing, will appear at the Theatre
Royal On MONDAY, May 30th, 1859.
The Pyne and Harrison Royal English Opera Company includes,
amongst others, the following celebrated Artistes :
Miss LOUISA PYNE,,
Ma. E. SE(UIN. MR. HRNRY CORRIi

MR. GEO, 144.Pzi4E LANCIA,
MR. A. ST. ALBYN, ash, TPA-MOTT., MR. BARTLEMAN,
Miss VIIRLWALL,

Miss MORRELL, Miss CLARA MORGAN, Miss B. MORGAN,
and
MR. W. HARRISON.
Conductor . .. Mr. ALPnED MALLON.
The Band and Chorus selected from the Royal English Opera
Company.
On MONDAY, the 30th inst., will be presented, with new scenery,
dresses, and appointments, the new and original Opera by Mr. W.
BALFE (specially commanded by Her Majesty to be performed on
the occasion of the festivities in honour of the marriage of H.R.H.
the Princess Royal with H.R.H. Prince Frederick William of
Prussia, entitled
THE ROSE OF CASTILLE.
Tuesday ..
Wednesday . • .... .........Wallace's " Maritana."
Thursday ..".. , , .... • Flotow's " Martha).
Friday,—For the BENEFIT of Mr. W. HARRISON,
Verdi's TROVATORE.

Saturday—Verdi's TRAVIATA.
tohcluding each evening with a new BALLET DlVtlttissbtiil•it.
Box Plan (under the direction of Mr. George Weston) to be seen,
and plaees secured at the theatre from Eleven till Five.
Prices—Dress Boxes, 45.; Upper Do, 35.; Pit, 25.; Gallery, Is.
Performance to commence at Eight o'clock.
Acting Manager, Mr. EDWARD MURRAY t Stag‘e Manager, Mr. E.
STIRLING. LOUISA PVNE, managers.
W. lIARRI. ON,