The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-15 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE BRITISH PRESS.

Brighton Blared 12.
Sll.—i observe in your Paper of the Ist of February last, a
trial which took place the preceding day, " r. Layard,"
and in which I perceive great and unfounded liberties have been
taken with my name.
How far it is excusable thus to meddle with the character of an
officer and a gentleman who is not present to defend himself, and
could not be aware of the unexpected attack, is not for me to say ;
and indeed, Sir, were I to refute, as I victoriously' can, the calum-
nious assertions which I justly complain of, by producing the hosts
of facts and incontrovertible statements which would soon establish
the falsehood of the imputations alluded to, the whole of your va.
luable Paper would hardly be sufficient. But a fair specimen of '
the accuracy of the statement will be given by this one instance—
that it was repeatedly stated to the Court, that the Treasury gave
their support to General Layard only in consideration of his being
absent on foreign service, and that consistently with his duties he
could not be here to defend himself.
Now, Sir, the fact is, that General Layard was het% at the com-
mencement of this shit—that he was personally served with the
process at the beginning of the action—that he has not been em-
ployed abroad since he was superseded in Malta in the year 11319
—and that be was actually residing in Bath when the verdict for
2001. was obtained in the above cause for the plaintiff hl'lntire ;
consequently all that was said at the trial on this subject falls to the
ground.
With regard to the absurd and ridiculous charge for conniving
with the Quartermaster-Sergeant, it can only be treated with the
contempt it deserves, as every officer and well-informed gentleman
must know how utterly impossible it is for a field-officer to have
anything to do with the Issuing of provisions to the regiment under
his command, particularly in a garrison like Malta, where there is
a compleo. Commissariat ; and indeed his Royal Highness the
Commander-in-Chief—whom everyone knows to be as it were a fa-
ther to the British army, and as attentive to the comfbrt of the sol-
diem as he is vigilant on the propriety and rectitude of the officers'
conduct—was so well convinced how unimpeathable my character
always had been and then was, that he condescended to express his
regret on my retiring from the service; and that on his submitting
my resignation to his Majesty, he was most graciously pleased to
permit me to sell all my commissions—even those which I had not
purchased—and allowed me to retire with the rank of Lieutenant-
Colonel. Was it possible lb express in a stronger manner that my
conduct was honoured with his moat unequivocal approbation ?
But since my name is brought in question, I shill, in vindication
of my character, adopt such measures as will shortly make the pub-
lic acquainted with the circumstances of this ease, and completely
exonerate me from all blame and malicious Imputation.
This will be done as soon as I ant possessed of the yellows docu-
ments not yet received, as I defy the whole world to impich in the
slightest degree my character, either as an officer or a gentleman.
I have the honour to be. Sir,
Your most obedient servant.
T. T. TRICKEY,
Late Major 10th Infantry and Liettt-Col.
---
Mrs. Barbauld (sister of the late Dr. Aikin) died on
Wednesday last, in her 83d year. This ',lily commenced
her literary carter upwards of .50 years since, by the
pOblication of a volume of poems, which received unqua-
lified commendation, and brought her name (then Letitia
Aikin) into great repute. She has ever since prosecuted
her labour in the cause of literature with unabated ar-
dour, and left behind her ample testimonies of a well-
stored mind.

An Irish Fishing Company is on foot, and SOO shares
allocated to Limerick
To DETECT COPPER WHEN MIXLD WITH GOLD.—
Pure gold is nearly twice as heavy as copper, and thus,
when alloyed with this latter, may be detected by the
specific gravity. To make quite sure, take the suspected
alloy, and touch it with the point of a glass rod just
dipped in nitric acid ; if the part touched with the acid
become blue or green, it contains copper, but if it remain
unaltered by the acid, It is pure gold.—Cliemist.
FATAL. ACCIDENT.—On Thursday sennight. as Mr.
Jonathan Horn. Master of the Academy at Gilmanby,
near Howes, was returning home from Cotherstone, with
his servant, and being in a state of intoxication, he unfor-
tunately fell from his horse, and was killed on the spot.

TIIF, INDIAN ARMY.
GRANTING OF BREVET RANK OF CAPTAIN TO
SUBALTERN. OFFICERS.
Bombay Castle, Sept. 9, WC
The Ilonoureble the Governor in Cottpcil is pleased to publish
for general information, the following extract of a letter from the
Honourable the Court, of Directors, in the Alilitary Depstrtment,
dated the 14th April, 1824
:
Para. 2d. We have had under our partkular consideratioo, the
odes by which the period of service of our Officers is calculated in
ascertaining their claim to the Brevet rank of Captain, under our
orders of the 3d of A uguat.,,lllls.
3d. In June 1819, we had eccassion to observe tfiat the system
adopted by our several Go,vernmetS in carrying those °niers into
effect was erroneous, inasmuch as it hid the effect of giving the
rank of Captain to Officers who had not served the required period.
4th. We then directed that no Subaltern should he entitled le.
promotith by Brevet, until he had completed fifteen year,' service,
commencing from the date of the list in which he was ranked on
proceeding to India.
sth. listing lately ascertained that n dierent role prevails in
granting the Brevet rack
.of Captain to Saitsaltern Officers of his
Majesty's Regiments serving in India, in conicquence pf which,
those Officers are liable to aupercassion by the system now in force
in our Army, we find it to cautery to revise our Orders of August,
1815, and June, 1819, before referred ter.
9th.. The time of service of his Offiars is calculated
front the date of their first Commissions as Cornets or Ensigas.
The same rule must be adopted in our service from the date of your
receipt of these order*.
7th. With respect to Cojvmissions which hitie heed issued Mace
a different principle, we have to state, that in cons!deiition of the
inconvenience, and the confusion whieh would result from cancel-
ing so many Commissions, and distuihing Officers in the enjoy-
ment of rank, which many of them have held several years, these
orders are not intended to have any retrospective effect: and we are
happy to state, Oat his Loyal Highness the Comminder.ln.Chier
acquiesces in le irrangement.
But,we direct, and in the most 'poShile manner, that the
rule now prescribed be enforced in all future C 111101; awl that the
rank of Captain shall not he granted, by Brevet, to any Of6:ieri who
has not previously obtained that rank by regimental rise, until he
shall have completed a pericd of..fifteen years' service, reckoned
from the date of his d'rst COIDIAII3IOA ai Seepiod lieutenant, Cor-
net, or Ensign.
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