The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-03 00:00:00

THE ROYAL THEATRICAL FUND
ANNUAL DINNED'.

The tenth anniversary festival of this useful and inte
resting charity was held yesterday evening at the Lan-
don Tavern, ane went off with unusual eclat. The room
was crowded, and amongst the company might be no-
ticed most of the leading celebrities connected with the
metropolitan drama. The chair was taken by Mr.
Buckstone, of the Haymarket ; and right and left of him
we observed Mr. Dickens, Mr. Lemon, Mr. Smith,
Theatre Royal, Drury-lane, Mr. Stirling Coyne, Captain
Baddeley, Mr. Neale, Lord E. Bruce, &c. There were
not less than 250 gentlemen present at the dinner. On
the removal of the cloth,
The CHAIRMAN proceeded to give the usual initiatory
toast, "The Health of her Majesty the Queen," remark-
ing that, independently of the duty of every loyal sub-
ject, there were many special reasons to induce himself
and the members of the theatrical profession to drink
her Majesty's health with more than common fervour.
In the first place, her Majesty had this year repeated
her magnificent annual donation of 100 guineas ; and,
in the second, there was no one who had a higher relish
for good comic acting than her Majesty. (Laughter.)
He (Ur. Buckstone) having had the honour of playing
before her Majesty at Windsor Castle and the Hay-
market, could vouch for it that her Majesty could laugh
as heartily at comedy—when it was properly played—
(a laugh)—as any man or woman in her dominions.
(Cheers.) He bad himself a third reason for considering
the day happy when her Majesty ascended the throne,
as on that day he was blessed with a son, so that as an
actor, a father, and a friend of the theatrical fund, he
had special reasons for proposing the Queen's health with
all the honours. (Loud cheers.)
The next toast was "Prince Albert and the Royal
Family," after which the chairman gave "The Army
and Navy," observing that as it was considered very
silly to paint the lily, he should not attempt to enhance
by any eulogium of his the public estimation of the gal-
lant deeds of the army and navy. They had amongst
them a gallant officer who had shared in the perils of
Alma and Inkerman, and who would respond to the
toast. (Great cheering.)
Captain BADDELEY (who on rising was received with
renewed cheering) said that to be called on to return
thanks for the army and navy was to him quite an unex-
pected honour ; so much so that he felt his heart flutter
more than ever it had done in the trenches. (Cheers.)
The company might depend upon it that the kind sym-
pathy of the people of England was not thrown away on
their countrymen in the Crimea, who were as ready to
give asgood an account of the Russians as ever, and to
give as good an account of them as at Alma or Inker

man. Lord Raglan he believed to be a brave and gal-
lant officer, who, having led the army triumphantly
through previous engagements, would do so again with
equal success. Let the army in the Crimea be only fairly
reinforced and properly taken care of and they might
depend upon it Lord Raglan would again lead them to
victory. Even should that not be the case, of one thing
they might be sure, and that was so long as a single sol-
dier remained there was not a single soldiei who would
turn his back upon the Russians. (Cheers.)
The "Houses of Parliament" was the next toast, for
which Lord ERNEST BRUCE returned thanks.

Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, in proposing the next toast,
said that it was probably within the theatrical experience
of most of the company that on some occasion when they
had been at the play, everything had at first progressed
in a satisfactory manner. The principal actor was a
decided favourite, and no gentleman amongst the com-
pany was so unfortunate as to meet with the accident
known in theatrical parlance as " missing his tip,"
when suddenly the act drop fell and there appeared
at the right hand side a gentleman in plain clothes,
his hat violently clasped in both hands, and his
boots not without some appearance of the streets—a man
of a pale aspect, which was partly referable to the action
of acute feeling, and partly to the neglect of the hares-
foot which so often lent a bloom to theatrical counte-
nances, and who came to make the usual appeal to the
well-known generosity of a British public—in a word, to
apologise. (Loud laughter.) He (Mr. Dickens) was
that particular gentleman on the present occasion. He
had been commissioned by the management to inform
the audience that Mr. Buckstone—owing to circum-
stances over which he had no 'control—(laughter)—had
been "put up" for two parts in this piece, and found
himself absolutely unable to appear in both at the same
time. (Cheers.) He ma, in point of fact at that moment
making up for the arduous character of " The Trea-
surer," a part in which he had been most successful
since the commencement of the present establishment—
(hear, and cheers)—and therefore found himself unable
to fill any longer his other character of chairman, or to
deliver that spirit-stirring address from which no doubt
so much was expected. (Hear.) He, therefore, appealed
to the never-failing indulgence and consideration of a
British audience to allow him (Mr. Dickens) to walk
through the part, and to say what Mr. Buckstone would
have said, had he not made special arrangements to say
something else. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr. Buck-
stone then, on receiving from Mr. Toole .the cue of
" Pray, silence, chair," in giving " the toast of the
evening," would have congratulated the members of the
Theatrical Fund on the brilliant assemblage he saw
around him, and have proceeded to testify to the innu-
merable merits of the institution. He would have
communicated the re-assuring fact that in the midst
of war and tumult, the humanising arts had not
quite been forgotten, and least of all, that art
which, through the means of one little play, had
made the battles of Poictiers and Agincourt more re-
nowned than had been done by all the historians and
chroniclers of that or any later period—(cheers)—an art
which had done more to stir up manly blood in a great
cause than any parliamentaiy speeches that had ever
been delivered in all the debates that had ever made
night hideous. (Hear and cheers.) Surely they were
not inappropriately asked to remember that art in time of
war, which painted with the greatest truth the joys of mi-
litary triumph, or the constancy of brave hearts under
the misfortunes which were inseparable from war. They
must remember that art, and encourage a society which
comprehended every grade of the actor's profession—
which was unfettered in its bounty by any hard restric-
tion or impossible condition—offering to every theatri-
cal professor who should subscribe a support which was
their right, and which, therefore, they never need blush
to accept. This was the sum and substance of Mr.
Buckstone's case ; but as he now saw that gentleman at
the wing, evidently well up in his part as treasurer, and
armed with the " property" documents, and as he was
roost eager to " come on," he (Mr. Dickens) would,
with the permission of the audience, leave the stage to
him, with this observation, that he had a most malicious
treasurer's twinkle in his eye, and that it behoved the
audience to " mind their pockets." (Laughter.) It was
a well-known theatrical maxim that an actor should
always have something good to " get off" with—he had
something which he was sure would " bring down the
house ;" it was not the wounded soldier, nor the sailor
who fought the pirates, nor the " woman in danger"—
but simply, "Prosperity to the Theatrical Fund."
(Loud cheers.)
Mr. BUCKSTONE rose amidst loud cheering, and said—
Gentlemen, as this is the first time that the toast of the
evening, " Success to the General Theatrical Fund," bas
been acknowledged by the chair, I know you will ex-
cuse me if I state one of the peculiar disadvantages under
which I labour by having moved irom next door—that
is to say, from a seat or two to the right hand. In reply
to this toast, there were always two subjects
which carried me more than half-way through
my duty. The first consisted in complimenting the
chairman of the evening—in dwelling on his kindness in
attending here, in alluding to his talent in art, science,
or literature, and which had rendered his name famous,
and made him a fit person to preside at such a festival
as this. Now, gentlemen, it is very clear that, as I can-
not compliment myself, my subject matter becomes
shorn of its fair proportions, and, in consequence, my
address to-night may not be so lengthy as usual, a fact
on which you will, no doubt, immediately congratulate
yourselves. Still, gentlemen, when I remember the
distinguished persons who have presided on this occasion
—when I recollect such names as Sir Edward Bulwcr
Lytton, Mr. Macready, our friend and trustee Mr. C.
Dickens, who has been twice Lord Mayor of the Lon-
don Tavern at this banquet, and who, we hope, will fill
that office more than thrice—when I remember that
Mr. Charles Kean, Mr. Henry Berkeley, Mr. Benjamin
Webster, and Mr. Milnes, have occupied this chair, I
cannot but feel flattered at being requested to endeavour
t r emulate their zeal in our cause, and acknowledge the
groat importance of the position. And now, gentlemen
as I have confessed to being deprived of one of my chief,
and one of my most pleasant, topics in my annual ad-
dress, I think you will allow that, in making the confes-
sion, I have already filled up the space, and supplied
the deficiency with tolerable dexterity. The second
subject, gentlemen, is one that still remains to me, and
that is, to state the condition and objects of our fund.
This is expected ; and though its intentions are fully
understood by all present, yet our friends and well-
wishers must be anxious to know how we progress,
the amount of our success, and what we are doing with
our capital. The General Theatrical Fund, gentlemen,
was established for the purpose of granting annuities
to all members of the dramatic profession, whether
in towa or country, who might possess the prudence
to subscribe to it, and who, after punctually pay-
ing their subscriptions for seven years, would become
entitled to its benefits should they be prevented follow-
ing. their pursuit by accident, age, or infirmity. Of
course, gentlemen, we 1, aye found that members of the
fury] have sometimes claimed their privileges with great
alacrity, when it has been the duty of the directors to
make strict inquiry into their claims ; and if by some
such inquiry may have been considered too searching, it
must beilbemembered the directors are bound by their
rules, and by the duties which they owe to the society
to see they are not imposed upon, or the benefits of
the fund applied unworthily ; and in all cases where
such inquiries have ended satisfactorily, the relief or the
annuity has been cheerfully awarded. And to show
you, gentlemen, the great liberality Of this fund, where
accident or infirmity may suddenly arrest the career of
an actor, I have only to allude to a case which came
before the directors within the last few weeks. A
epvreo-
vincial performer had just subscribed the required_s n
only
years ; during that term he had paid to the f d
16/.—in fact, something less. Immediately
a severe acci-
on nn
the ex-
piration of these seven years he met withw hich .compelled
dent while following his
profession,
him to retire from the stage. After
r sin aeon
it
was allowed, a cautious and not
unnecessary examination of his
en,
andconsidera-
that actor, gencltlemfo _
named—nearly
161.—is now in rebeipt o
tion of his having subscribedf6ol.
the sum
per annum. (Hear.) I
think you will acknowledge
that few public offices for
.
ties can offer to their subscribers suck •
granting life annul
r gentlemen, I stated to you the
cres• Last yea
institutions adding their
advanta, •
o provincial
probability of tw
I Theatrical Fund. I reret to say
Pr the Genera
capital to
s which would have been inure to their
the negotiation ,
benefit than our own
were not carried out. Still, gen-

Mr. DICKENS again rose to propose Mr. Buckstone's
health, with a humorous comparison between the success
of that gentleman's management as compared with the
management of more important affairs elsewhere.
Mr. BUCKSTONE returned thanks, and gave "The
London Theatrical Managers," associating with it the
name of Mr. Webster.

Mr. WEBSTER responded, and gave "The Dramatists,"
naming Mr. Mark Lemon and Mr. Robert Bell,
Mr. MARE LEMON said, in returning thanks, that
after a good speech, the next best thing was a short one,
and therefore he thought he could not do better than
"Ring the Bell." (Laughter.)
Mr. R. BELL said that Mr. Lemon's speech reminded
hina of the two men who, when they went out together
on festive occasions, found the result of their potations
to be that one man was deprived of the use of his limbs,
and the other of his speech, so that he was "speech
drunk," and the other was "limb drunk." Under these
circumstances, they entered into a contract that " Speech
drunk" should carry " Limb drunk" on his back, while
the latter should undertake to answer any impertinent
inquiries from the policeman. The moral was so obvious
that be would not detain the company by applying it
more particularly on the present occasion. (Laughter.)
Mr. Bell concluded by thanking the company for the
toast.

The collection for the evening was announced to be
considerably in excess of 3001. ; and the other toasts in
the chairman's list having been disposed of, the com-
pany separated. The musical arrangements were un-
usually effective, comprising the talents of Miss Rans-
ford, Madame Newton Frodsbam, Mdlle. Jenny Baur,
Madame Weiss, and Messrs. Weiss, Ransford, and
Genge. Mr. Toole was the toast-master.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

Portsmouth yesterday presented much the same ap-
pearance as on the first occasion of a Baltic steam
fleet preparing to leave its port, minus the epheineral
adjuncts of bands of music, flags across the streets,
and " over much" lip ovations, from a rather mer-
; curial multitude. The fleet about to sail is now fully
I manned, the volunteers from the sailing line-of-battle ships
( Neptune, St. George, Calcutta, and Powerful, together
with supernumeraries brought in on Sunday from Ply-
mouth by the steam tender Avon, and above 100 new
hands from Greenock by the Powerful, having filled up
all vacancies and short complements. Rear-Admiral
Berkeley, the First NaVal Lord of the Admiralty,
arrived yesterday, and visited the fleet in the Vivid
steam-yacht ;he will remain some days. Sir Charles
Wood and other members of the Admiralty were to
arrive last night and this morning. Lord Palmerston
is also expected. • Portsmouth is full to repletion with
visitors of all ranks, and the surrounding neighbourhood
is also thickly populated with the overcharge of "com-
pany." This morning the first thing done in the fleet
will be to " heave short," and make all ready for un-
mooring, but we believe the ships will n6t be " aweigh"
before three o'clock. This will enable the men to have
their dinners comfortably and for the letter-boats to de-
liver all post letters that may arrive by the first and
second deliveries. The scene in and out of Portsmouth
harbour yesterday eclipsed in bustle and animation that
of,last year on the departure of the fleet under Admiral
Napier ; every profitable craft seemed employed in con-
veying people or provisions to the leviathani in the
roadstead, and, we are happy to say, without accident
to life ; but a wherry belonging to Long, a water-
man, of Gosport, in going out of harbour, at 1.15
p.m., swamped in a swell with eight or nine per-
sons on board at the time. She was, like many others
laden with provisions for the fleet, and was on her way
to the two-decker Nile as a supplementary bum-bsat ;
all the men were saved, but the cargo floated about un-
til picked up by the prompt agency of one or two men-
of-war's boats, the Bee steam-tender, and the tug of Mr.
Ray, which were steaming near the spot at the time.
Tue Lightning steam-tender,,to the flag-ship Duke of
Wellington, Lieutenant Campbell in charge, having re-
paired her defects in dock, went out again yesterday,
and will join the fleet this morning. One of the
s rneew_
gunboats was towed up to Portsmouth harbour yest
day afternoon, but, beyond the Ruby and Pei no ter, ,
others of the new flotilla of gunboats havebyaettterjioeisneoc;
the fleet, neither have any of the new ster
is urged that
mortar-boats been seen with it yet ; but
there is yet ample time for them to make an effective
appearance. The Odin steam-frigatelelt heenrdpoofstihtioonlinaes
one of the advanced guard at the western
at Spithead yesterday, and s.tearm.edAisnetuonhhatrrabionuarrtroivreed.
pair some defect in her machinoethyor
from London. Brighton,. and. important places yes.
in the after part of the day,
terday, and more especially
influx of visitors became very inconvenient and ac-
commodation •additionally the
coaarnodation scarce, but Hyde was
safety valve, and
hundreds went across by the
h
steam-
packets and boats, which wfileonve conveythousands to the
t.aiday. The
a select art e Port-Adi -
py of
scone of the departing armada to
ral, Sir Thomas Cochrane, entertained
noble and official friends at the Admiralty-house
o'clock, last
night. Yesterday morn in ag, as early as four
k'•
a
number of shipwrights and riggers were ordered to
Portsmouth Do.ckyard, to get ready her Majesty's
steam-yacht Osborne (late the Victoria and
Alberf), for the purpose, it was reported, of at-
tending upon his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the
French on his forthcoming visit to England, accom-
panied by the Empress. Tuffs yacht requires but l'ttle
to make it speedily ready for any royal receptions. The
new Victoria and Albert will not be fitted with her en-
gines yet these two months. Every other steamer in
the port is engaged.
The brig Caradoc, of Beaumaris, 237 tons, Griffiths

tlernen, with ail our disbursements—including sums re- I master, from Boulogne in ballast, to load stores for the
turned to the families of deceased members, the payment i Government, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday. This
of funeral expenses, the payment of ten annuities, five vessel took a cargo of oats from Limerick for London,
cf 30!. per annum, four of 601., and one of 901., our ca-, but got on shore near Boulogne, discharged the cargo
pital this evening n ill amount to nearly 9,000/.--:-and as there, and it was sold, the voyage abandoned, and the
our fund is still young, lam sure you will allow that vessel repaired. She was originally named the Livonia
it is in a most flourishing condition. There is no class late a Russian prize to her Majesty's Revenue cruiser
of performers, gentlemen, to whom this institution can Argus, Commander Grandy, and was sold after deliver-
he a greater benefit than those employed inthe provinces. ing her cargo at Portsmouth.
(Hear.) The hard-working country actor, by subscribing The St. Vincent, 102, Captain Eliott, in Portsmouth
to this fund can, in many instances, retire from the scene harbour, sent up her lower yards and topmasts for the
of his labour on quite as much, if not more, than what summer yesterday.
he received while at work. Few, but those who know, The Hastings, 60, Captain Caffin, will be again taken
are acquainted with his toil. The studying long parts out of Portsmouth harbour for trial to-day.
from, what is called, night to night ; the throwing off Captain Beynon, of the brig John Beynon, from
one heavy burden, some long tragic or dreary comic part, Venice, which put into Plymouth Sound yesterday, re.
only to bear another—one that, after the play is over, ports that in the morning he saw the Bellerophon, 78,
will keep him from his bed half the night, to be ready, Captain Lord G. Paulet, and at 6 o'clock in the after-
as well as he can, at rehearsal on the corning morning ; noon, off the Eddystone, a large man-of-war, supposed
and with this constant labour often is the poor actor to be the Trafalgar, 120, Capt. H. F. Greville—both
compelled to observe, without any order of Government, ships bound up Channel.
Iris day of fast and consequent humiliation. Gentlemen, The hired steam-transport Victory, Commander V.
lam enabled truly to depict what this class of performers R. Rose, No. 193, from Portsmouth, with the staff of
endure, because I was -a country actor, and, amongst Major General Vivian, commander of the Turkish con-
other vicissitudes, once walked from Northampton to tingent, bound to the East, put into Plymouth Sound
London-72 miles—on 4.d. It is a fact, I assure you. yesterday afternoon, with machinery damaged.
(Hear.) I had a companion in the same plight ; and on The 1-‘rig Amethyst, Captain sill, from Geelong, Dec.
comparing our pecuniary resources, we discovered our- 12, with a full cargo of wool, put into Plymouth Sound
selves masters of the sum of 9c1.-41d. each according to yesterday afternoon. On the 24th of January, off Per-
Cocker. As it may interest you, gentlemen, I will de- nambuco, spoke the bark Geelong ; and, on the 27th of
scribe my costume on that occasion, and how we got to March, long. 8 W., lat. 48 N., the schooner Maeton—
London. My costume consisted of a threadbare whity both outward bouail.
blue coat, with tarnished metal buttons, secured to the The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Sul-
throat, because I wore underneath what we term a tan, lately altered from a paddle-wheel to a screw vessel,
flowered waistcoat, made of glazed chintz, and of a very and now fitting out at Southampton, has been taken up
showy pattern, generally adopted when playing country by the British Government for the purposes of the trans-
boys and singing comic songs, which at that time was port service. She is to be ready for sea by the 20th
my vocation. (Cheers and laughter.) I will not attempt inst., and will be despatched with stores, &C., to the
to describe my hat, while my trousers must only be de- Baltic.
licately alluded to, as they were made of what was origi- The Orion, 91 guns, screw steam-ship, Captain John
nally white duck, but as they had been_ worn about six E. Erskine, left Sheerness yesterday, at 11.15 a.m., for
weeks, and having myself been much in the fields, there Spithead. She is considerably short of her complement
was a refreshing tint of a green clay colour about them, of seamen. Her deficiency will be made up from the
whoh imparted to that portion of my attire quite an sailing squadron now at Portsmouth and Spithead. ,On
agricultural appearance. I carried a small bundle. I leaving her engines acted admirably, and she went out
will not describe its entire contents, except that it held a against a strong flood tide and head wind (due east) at
red wig and a pair of russet boots. Under my arm was from eight to nine knots.
a portfolio, containing sketches from nature, and some The Merlin steam-vessel, Captain B. J. Sullivan ; the
attempts at love poetry. While on my feet, to perform Firefly steam-vessel, Captain H. C. Otter ; and the
this distance of 72 miles, I wore a pair of dancing-- Cuckoo, Lieutenant Commander Murray, are under
pumps, tied np at the heel with packthread. Thus orders to leave Sheerness this day direct for the Baltic.
equipped, I started with my companion from Northamp- The gun-boats Snapper, Badger, Pincher, and Gleaner
ton, and before breakfast we accomplished 15 miles, are at Sheerness receiving coals, stores, &c.
when we set down to rest ourselves under a hedge by The Horatio, 24 guns, screw steam-ship, Capt. the Hon.
the roadside. We felt very much disposed to partake of A. A. Cochrane, is ordered to proceed to Liverpool im-
the meal I have alluded to, but were rather puzzled how mediately her fitments are ready for mounting the mon-
to provide it. Presently a cow-boy appeared, driving ster sea service mortar guns, for which she is now being
some lazy zig-zag going cows, and carrying two large fitted at Sheerness.
tin cans, containing skimmed milk. We purchased the The following appointments have been made :
contents of one of the cans for one halfpenny. A cottage The Rev. E. G. Parker, to be a commissioned chap-
was close at hand, where we applied for bread, and pro- lain to the forces.
cured a very nice, though rather stale, balf-quartern Superintendent James Young to be quartermaster of
home-baked loaf for ld. The cow-boy sat by us on that a brigade of the land transport corps.
roadside to wait for his can. The cows seemed to Mr. Charles A. Innes M.D., Mr. J. C. Knipe, Mr.
regard us with a sleepy look of mingled pity and Frederick William Peskett, Mr. George Bull, and Mr.
indifference, while, with the bottom crust of that Charles John Kirwan to be acting assistant-surgeons on
loaf, and three pints of skimmed milk, I assure the hospital staff.
you I enjoyed the roadside breakfast of that summer
morning more than I have enjoyed the sumptuous
banquet of this evening, On the first day we walked
forty miles, in which my pumps, and what they
covered, "suffered soma." Our bed for the night was
in one of those wayside hostelries called a " lodging-
house for travellers," for which accommodation we dis-
bursed twopence. Late in the evening of the next day
we completed the remaining 32 miles, and found our-
selves at the Mother Red Cap, at Camden Town, with
enough in our pockets to procure half-a-pint of porter.
(Loud cheers, and continued laughter.) Thus you see,
gentlemen, I have experienced some of the vicissitudes
of a country actor, and am qualified to knew how great
a boon this fund must be to that class of the dramatic
profession. To the London performer, who by the rules
of the Funds of Drury-lane and Covent-garden cannot be
admitted into those institutions, the General Theatrical
Fund must be equally acceptable, and I am sure, gen-
tlemen, when you consider what we have done, you
will this evening help us to do more; and as, at the
present time, this is the only annual theatrical dinner
now in the metropolis, and the calls upon you in behalf
of the stage not being so many as they once were, you
will, I am sure, do ail in your power for us on this occa-
sion. We know it is the vulgar cant amongst many in
this singular age, when museums and palaces, contain-
ing all that can instruct, delight, and elevate the mind,
are closed against the people on a Sunday—when to
walk in the green fields is considered by sonic as a sin
—when Exeter Hall seems to govern the country more
than its Parliament—it is, I say, a vulgar cant amongst
the intolerant and the ignorant to decry the stage
and its professors. But those people little know how
many good and self-sacrificing fathers, mothers, sons,
daughters, brothers, and sisters are to be found in the
community of performers—and it is in behalf of these
that I plead. In behalf of the stage I plead—the stage
that even Martin Luther that stern reformer, did not
condemn, for in one of his works he tells his followers
" by no means to abstain from the reading of comedies,',
at the same time advancing some liberal and ingenious
arguments in their favour. Remember this injunction,
gentlemen, and also remember those who illustrate the
plays and comedies of the country, and the best days of
whose lives are devoted to your amusement and instruc-
tion.

MILITARY.

Orders have been issued for detachments of the follow-
ing cavalry and infantry regiments to be held in readi-
ness for immediate embarkation for the seat of war, each
cavalry regiment to be reinforced- by-160 mounted men,
and the infantry by draughts varying from 150 to 250
bayonets :-4th Dragoon Guards, from Newbridge, to
embark at Queenstown ; stb, Princess Charlotte of
Wales ditto, to embark at Queenstown ; let Royal Dra-
goons, from Canterbury, to embark at Southampton ; 2d
Scots Greys, from Newbridge, to embark at Plymouth ;
4th Light Dragoons, from Brighton, to embark at Ports-
mouth ; 6th Enniskillens, from Canterbury, to embark
at Southampton ; Bth Royal Irish Hussars, from New-
bridge, to embark at Plymouth ; 10th, Prince of Wales
ditto, from Maidstone, to embark at Southampton ; 11th
Prince Albert's ditto, from Newbridge, to embark'. at
Plymouth ; 13th Light Dragoons, from Brighton, to
embark at Portsmouth ; 15th Hussars, from Exeter,
let Division, to embark at Plymouth ; 17th Lancers,
from Brighton, to embark at Southampton. The detach-
iste-its for the Grenadier, Coldstream, and Scots Fusilier
Guards will not proceed to the seat of war until the
middle of next month, but the draughts from the respec-
tive depot companies of the following infantry regiments
will embark forthwith, viz., Ist Royals, Ist Battalion,
4th Foot, 7th Royal Fusdeera, 9th Foot, 14th ditto,
17th ditto, 18th Royal Irish, 19th Foot, 20th dito, 21st
Royal North British Fusileers, 23d Rbyal Welsh ditto,
28th Foot, 30th ditto, 33d (The Duke of Wellington's
Own) 34th Foot, 38th ditto, 39th ditto, 41st ditto, 42d
Royal Highlanders, 44th Foot, 46th ditto, 47th ditto,
49th ditto, 50th ditto, 55th ditto, 57th ditto, 62d ditto,
63d ditto; 68th Durham Light Infantry, 71st Highland
ditto, ditto 24' battalion, 79th Highlanders, 88th Con-
naught Rangers, 90th Foot, 93d Highlanders, 97th
Foot, and the Ist and 2d Battalions of the Rifle Brigade.
The Land Transport Corps will be augumented by 500
drivers as soon as possible. The strength of the Royal
Artillery in the field will be increased by four field bat-
teries and two batteries of light field pieces of the Royal
Horse Artillery.

The depot of the 96th Regiment disembarked at Dub-
lin on Saturday night, and were played into barracks
by the brass band of the 60th Rifles depot. Upon the
arrival of the service companies of the 96th from India
the corps will proceed to Templemore.
The following is an extract from a letter froth the
camp in course of construction at the Curragh of Kil-
dare :--
" I have visited the camp to-day. It will be beautifully
placed on the side of the hill extending from the walled-in
Deorpark for more than two miles towards the end of the
Curragh, on the Wicklow side. In the rear it will be
completely sheltered by the hill itself from the cold
northerly winds, while in front its southerly aspect will
make it exceedingly warm. The nature of the soil, and
the inclination of the ground upon which it is placed, will
cause it to be comfortable and dry in the wettest season
of the year. The camp itself will be composed of huts
made of wood, placed on brick foundations, about 40 by
20 feet in size, arranged in rows, with streets 20 feet wide
between each, running down the side of the hill, so as to
form an inclined plane for the water to be carried away in
rainy weather ; each house will face the one at the oppo-
site side, and there will be a space between the end of each,
forming, as it were cross streets, a matter of great import-
arm in the ventilation. Each hut will be covered in with
asphalt, except those of the officers, which will have vul-
canised iron roofs, and will be supplied with a stove in
the centre, and open by a door at each end. Some of them
will have boarded floors, others merely the soil on which
they are placed, and none will have ceilings. It is esti-
mated that five rows, each having eight huts, will
accommodate 1,500 men. The foundations for four are
already built. Ovens and a slaughterineehouse will also
be erected ; thus, along with being taught to manoeuvre
in masses, the men will be trained to the minor though
not less important duties of the field."
A draught of the 50th Queen's Own, consisting of
2 captains, 2 subalterns, 8 sergeants, 2 corporals, 2
drummers, and 118 privates, marched from Fermoy, on
Friday morning, for Dublin, at which port conveyance
will be provided for their transit to Malta, to form part
of the reserve fur the Crimea. The men were in high
spirits, and were loudly cheered on having the town,
and many a fervent " God bless you" was pronounced
by their comrades on parting. The officers who ac-
companied the draught were—Captains Tilbrook and
Barnes, Lieutenants Blackall and Bunbury. The
draught arrived in Dublin the same evening.
It is expected that a strong draught from the 33d de•
pot will leave Fermoy depot early next month for
Malta. Capt. Lacy is at present in command.
The new pattern clothing has been served out to the
lst Dragoon Guards. The frock, or tunic, appears to
great a,dvanfage upon large-sized men, and when worn
with the helmet is undoubtedly a vat iinproveme.tt upon.
the tailless garment conferred upon the "Heavies "
some eight years since, and which is now about to be
discarded.

The Crimean medals have been issued for distinguished
services, and have been despatched to the army before
Sebastopol. They aro of silver, with red ribaud and
blue centre. The friends of those deceased will receive
them on putting in claims.
Great progress has been male in the erection of the
temporary wooden buildings, officers' quarters, stabling,
&c., for the encampment at Aldersbott, the concrete
roads and footways have been formed, and in a few
days the buildings will be handed over by the contrac-
tors to the military authorities.

'• 'THE MILITIA.
The 3d Royal ICriddle..tteX -Militia, under the command
of Colonel Viscount .(Theitea, have volunteered for
foreign service. The regiment, which musters 800
bayonets is in a high state of discipline.
The South' Lincoln Militia, Colonel Sibtlmprtpa,ilniaisn
just received an addition to its ranks of 200 trained men
from the head-quarters of the regiment at Grantham.
Mr. Charles J. W. Deans Duuda., late a captain in
the Coldstream Guards, has been appointed a ea
the Gth Royal Lancashire Militia.

.A.vsTRI,LI4I.
South Australia, in their cir-
-Messrs. Joseph Still-
ing INannrcszo.
continuance seven days the.
Adelaide,,llo.7T I r ,
a hot weather has
been un-
paralleled since the establishmentofthis pare colony ; in this
the thertnotnet e
period _ r has constantlyrangednight and
day, in the shade, from 80 to 120 degrees,
Dean
; and from 130 according to
to 150 degrees in the sun.
Many cases of sun-stroke h
neigh-
bourhood, den,th be' have occurred in the Ina the result
Apples are also being t' in some instances.
on the trees from thet exhibited as having been roasted
as though they hadbeen
rays of the sun, as perfectly
in a furnace."
SIR B. HALL'S BILL.—A numerous and influential
meeting of the ratepa; ers of Kentish Town, convened by
notice extensively circulated through the district, was
held last night at the Assembly House, to consider how
far Sir B. it.wB bill for" metropolis local management"
would affect the interests of that important district.
Thomas Loftus, Esq., having' been called to the chair,
the following resolutions were moved and carried bY ac-
clamation :--Moved by Dr. Birmingham, seconded by
J. Clarke, Esq., "That the duties already cast upon the
vestrymen of the extensive parish of St. Pancras are as
much as any one board or body of gentlemen can pro-
perly discharge, without the additional duties sought to
be imposed' upon them by the above bill, and that the
management of sewers and drains being of such vital
moment ought to be entrusted only to gentlemen well
acquainted with such subjects." Moved by Dr. Sandys,
and seconded by M. A. Garvey, Esq., D.C.L,, "The
petitions founded on the above 'resolutions be present, ,a
to Parliatnebt ; and that in the Commons, Viscor int
Ebrington be requested to take charge of the sam A."
The meeting was most unanimous in the condemns' ion
of Sir B. nail's bill, and after passing a vote of till- Ala
to the chairman, separated.