The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON', THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 21, 1864.

sort of argument may sound very well in the
House of Commons, but it is practically fallacious,
for it is in the building of a ship that her capacity
for stowage and stability for armament must be con-

sidered, and if it be necessary that a practical sailor
should superintend the details of the armament and
fitting of a man-of-war, would it not be better for the
designer of the vessel to submit his plans to the
said practical sailor before expending the public
money in building ships for the sake of pulling
them to pieces ? We admit that allowance must be

made for many deficiencies in experimental vessels,

such as the Reaearoh and Enterprise, but it is curi-

ous to compare the results of such experiments in
private yards and government dockyards. In the

. _
'ormer case blunders are the exception, in the latter

;hey are the rule. Sir JOHN PAXINGTON said that

while he did not intend to censure Mr REED,
who deserved the credit of having been the
first to apply armour plating to small vessels,
he could not help contrasting the Research with

the Rolfe Krake :—" These two vessels wore as
nearly as possible of the same size, tonnage, and
armoury. They each carried four guns, but while
the Rolfe Krake could use them all on either side,
the Research could only fire two on each side ; and
while the Rolfe Krake drew only 10 feet of water,
the Research drew 15. Then could be no question
as to the superiority of the vessel built in the
Clyde by Messrs. NAPIER to that built for the Ad-
miralty by Mr. REED." We fully coincide with
the right hon. baronet on this point; bat is there
any reason why the public official should be so in-
competent to compete with private individuals ? It

is not denied by any one that the present construes
tor of the Navy is a man of talent, but the wisest

have their failings, and all men more or less possess
some particular hobby. That of Mr. REED is that
speed is a secondary consideration to invulnera-
bility therefore, to obtain the one object he
sacrifices the other. In this respect the Re-
search and Enterprise are but little superior to
the old floating batteries constructed during the
Crimean War, for although their speed is consider-
ably greater, yet it is not sufficient to enable either
of them to overtake a flying enemy, or to avoid a
pursuing one. Lord C. PAGET was of opinion that
these ships were as good as could be expected when
their tonnage and draught of water were taken into
consideration. Mr. LAIRD, however, stated that it
was possible to build vessels of some 1,200 tons
capable of going at the rate of twelve knots an hour,
and carrying very heavy guns. Mr. LAIRD com-
plained of the unfitness of the rigging of the Royal
Sovereign, which Lord C. PAGET admitted was
merely jury rigged, as that vessel was
only intended for harbour service, and the
hon. member for Birkenhead also observed that
while the Admiralty were demanding fair play for
the Research and Enterprise, they were not doing
justice to Captain COLES' cupola system, by send-
ing the Royal Sovereign to sea without being
properly masted. He considered, also, that her
draught of water was too great for the harbour
service, and although he did not profess much
knowledge of gunnery, he believed that the only
method of carrying the heavy guns now proposed
was on the plan of Captain COLES, because the
guns could be trained in the simplest and easiest
manner, and worked with fewer hands than in
any other ships. Much had been said of the diffi-
culty of getting effective vessels of a light draught
on the cupola system. Now, having paid some at-
tention to this subject, he was prepared to state
that vessels of 1,000 and 1,200 tons could be built
with a speed of 12 knots au hour, to carry two of
the heaviest guns, two 300%pounders, and throwing
a broadside of 6001 b., against the 2201 b of the Re.
search. Such a vessel could be completely armour-
plated, fitted on Capt. COLES' plan, masted, rigged,
and arranged, so that she should be available,
not only for harbour and coast defence, but able to
go round Cape Horn or any other part of the world:
The hon. member was, of course, referring to his
celebrated rams, the El Toussin and El Monaesir,
now being completed for her MAJESTY'S service, and
there can be little doubt that they will realise his
expectations. After an animated discussion the
motion was withdrawn, but the object of the hon.
member for Chatham was accomplished and the
subject fairly ventilated. It is not to be inferred
because the Research and Enterprise are faulty in
many respects they cannot be improved or that their
defects may not be avoided in other vessels. Credit
is due to Mr. REED for his endeavour to supply the
Navy with small armour-plated ships, but we quite
agree with the suggestion of Sir M. PETO, that it is
not proper the Admiralty should be guided by one
mind, but the Contractor elould design the vessels
and submit the designs io practical men, so that any
defects, like those discovered in the Research, might
be discovered before the ships were constructed, as
is done in other countries,

LAIINCII OF A STEAMER.—The first of a line of
merchant steamships intended for the Australian
trade, and built and owned by Messrs. Wigram and Sons,
was launched yesterday from Blackwall yard in the pre-
sence of several thousand spectators. The ship ran off the
stocks in admirable style at flood tide, Miss Wyndham,
daughter of Col, 'Wyndham, of Petersfield, christening
her " the London," On breasting the water she was im-
mediately towed up to Greenwich, where she will take her
engines from Penn's yard, The London is of 1,750 tons
register, and she will sail for Melbourne in October next,
under the command of Captain Martin, an experienced
Australian navi2;ator,

DITORCE COURT.—Tho number of petitions fcr
dissolution of marriage last year exceeded the number in any
previous year since the Court has been established. There
were 255 such petitions filed in the year 1863, besides 7 for
declaring the marriage null from the first. 43 persons
petitioned for judicial separation, and 12 applied for protec-
tion of property. 237 judgments were given in the year;
1,059 have been given in the last six years. But which way
the judgments went is not told; strange as it may seem,
the Registrar makes hie return to the Secretary of State
year after year of the business done in this court, giving
some details of little interest or importance, but never
states how many marriages are dissolved in the year.
FIRED ON BY THE PRIYSSIANS.—We (Glasgow
Herald) have been favoured with the following
extract from a letter from Mr Henry Lamond to our towns-
man, Mr R. P. Lamond, dated on board the Government
mail steamer Vikea, from Christiania to Lubeck, Wednes-
day, July 13, 1864, 10 a.m.:--" We had early this morning
a narrow escape for our lives, having been for nearly 10
minutes under fire of about 60 Prussian riflemen, who, I
suppose, mistook U 3 for a Danish war vessel. It came about
in this way. The whole of Jutland is now in the hands of
the Prussians, Frederikshaven, on the N.E. of the penin-
sula, which was only occupied last night, is on the route of
this steamer, and we went in to within 300 yards at half.
past 5 ttis morning to land a passenger. No sooner had we
stopped and made signals for a boat to come out to us, than
whi3, whin, went three or four bullets over our heads, and
pre zently wo see running along the road towards the shore
a large body of Prussiaus with their bayonets flashing in
the sun, and in a moment they discharged a volley at us
without the slightest notice. Down came some pieces of
sail and rigging on our heads, shot through by the bullets.
At this time C---- and I, and some two or three other
passengers, are standing on the top of the saloon deck,
from which we move as fast as possible. Tho engines are
set on full speed, and away we go, the bullets are peppering
like hailstones, till we got beyond range. It is a perfect
miracle same of us were not shot : certainly we should have
been had it not been for the saloon deck, which, as the fire
was from astern, protected us from the bullets. The helms-

man had a bullet through the cuff of his sleeve, and 22 have
been taken cut oc, the hull, but about 150 must; have been
discharged. several struck the funnels, two of which
pierced themand fell down. One traversed the saloon the
entire leng:Ja,
entering at the stern 2ft. from the helms..
man, anOA at the other and striking the mirror, which is
quite (I..istinctive, in a neutral steamer calling twice a week
at F rederickshovn, so that if the Prussians had made the
Brsghtest inquiry they
would have learnt what we were.
ISince leaving Frederickehaven we have passed two Danish
men.-of-war going northward, and have informed them of
the occupation of the place by the Prussians, and their
treatment of us. They take it tplite Coolly, One Of them
1344 A trarsport fillip 41t0w."

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LBEIITER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE DANO-GERMAN WAR,
RENDSBURG, JULY 21.

Advices received hove state that the Danish
taken prisoner in a
CCarepetkaionf vonthe Hammer,
island o Fwaansoe, after having sunk

seven boats.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE MAIL,
WARLIKE PREPARATIONS BY THE
GOVERNMENT.
PLYMOUTH, JULY 21.

The Union Company's steamer Saxon left Table
Bay on the nth ult., St. Helena on the 28th,
and Ascension on the 2d inst.

She brings 76 passengers, among whom is Dr.
Alexander Duff, the veteran missionary.
No active hostilities had yet taken place on the
frontiers, but Sir Walter Currie, in a despatch to
the Government, had reported that as he had found
the difficulties in the Transkei increasing, he re•
commended that the 2d battalion of the 11th Re-
giment should be retained on the frontier.
Every preparation was also being made for war
by the Cape authorities. The sth Fusiliers are left
in readiness at East London.

SPAIN.

MADRID, JULY 20.

The statement that the Spanish official cures.
pondence had been stolen at Panama is unfounded,
the Government having received Admiral Pinzun's
despatches. Communications have also been re-
ceived from Chili expressing the desire for friendly
relations with Spain.

FRANCE.

PARIS, JULY 27.

The Minister of Foreign Affsirs has been sum•
mooed for a few days to Vichy to confer with the
Emperor. His Majesty is in perfect health-
The King of the Belgians is expected to-morrow
at Vichy.

BOURSE, July 20.—The market has been rather
firmer, but without any material improvement in
prices. Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f.
25c., and Mobilier at 1,003 f. 75f. In Railway
Shares little doing, but previous quotations in
general well maintained. The market closed as
follows :-
4t per Cents .. 94 25
Do. end month....
3 per Cents ...... 66 20
Do. end month.... 66 25
Credit Mobilier....loo7 50
Do. end m0nth....1003 75
Bank Shares ......
Credit Foncier ....1220
Roman
BAIL

' Italian Loan 6B 10
Do. end month 6B 20
Ditto Threes
New Mexican 57
Russian
Austrian
Soanieh Threes —
Dobt
Deferred.
TATB.
Cash. Account.
Orleans 0000000 34.04 t• • • 873 75 " 875
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean 900 900
New ditto
Southern 6lO .. 641 25
Western
Eastern
Sardinian .... 352 50 .. 351 25
Austrian
Lowbard 530 .. 530
North of Spain
Saragossa 527 60 .. 528 75
Ditto to Barcelona

The National R:

dile Association at Wimbledon

The weather, yesterday morning, was one con-
tinual sunshine, and, although there was a nice
breeze, still the heat was very intense, and once
more the furze on the Common at two o'clock in
the afternoon was discovered to be on fire. The
engine stationed near the windmill, which had been
filled with water, in readiness for an emergency,
was rapidly drawn to the place, followed by a
number of the Guards, armed with spades and bill-
hooks, but as no danger was apprehended to the
encampment, they were not called upon, the fire
was allowed to burn itself out, and they all re-
turned to their quarters,

The Common :f es terday morning presented a
marked contrast to that of the previous day. Then
all was bustle and excitement, the great feature
then being the final struggle in prospective for the
Queen's prize, which was last evening set at rest ;
consquently, altho'igh some important matters had
yet to be disposed of, they were quite of a secondary
nature to that above referred to, and the atten-
dance was almost confined to those who were taking
part in them or have an interest in the result.
The principal items in this day's programme were
the second stage of the Albert prize at 1,000 yards,
Mr. Dillwyn's prize, Earl De Grey's prizes, the
Daily Telegraph prize, Mr. Bass's prize, the Rifle
Oaks, the Any Rifle Association Cup, the City of
London prizes, Mr. Mont Storm's prizes, Lord
Vernon's prize, pool sweepstakes, running deer, &c.
On Tuesday night there was some further practice
for the Owl prize, and as usual there were many
competitors, but it is to be regretted that an acci-
dent of a serious nature occurred. The Count de
Gendre was preparing to shoot for the prize, and
in doing so had recourse to an experiment of a very
dangerous nature. To give him a better aim at the
owl's eyes ha resorted to the expedient of rubbing
the sight of his rifle with a piece of phosphorus to
produce a blue flame, 4nd from which he could ob-
tain an aim at the object, when the piece of phos-
phorus he was using broke in two, and he put out
his hand to catch it and rather firmly grasped it.
The consequence of this was that his hand was
much burned. He was conveyed to Lord Elcho's
cottage, where his hand was dressed. By the ac-
counts received up to yesterday evening the count
is progressing favourably.
A new contest was commenced to-day, being a
series of prizes, given by Mr Mont Storm, open to
alt comers, to be competed for with any muzzle or
breech-loading rifle taking Government ammunition
as sold by the National Rifle Association on the
ground. The prizes of £lOO to be divided amongst
the competitors who made the highest number of
marks in two and four consecutive minutes. There
were many competitors for this prize, but in the
course of the day a gentleman was about to fire with
a breech leader which he had been using. when the
cartridge exploded, but fortunately no damage was
done. There was a similar explosion on Saturday
last.

The Albert prizes, which have occupied so large
a portion of the meeting, having been brought to a
close in regard to the first stage, the winners of the
different prizes had this day to enter into a new
competition amongst themselves, the best to be en-
titled to a prize of £lOO, seven shots each, at 800,
900, and 1,000 yards. The shooting was of a very
superior order, Lieut. Burt, of the lst Warwick,
making 28 points at 800, 24 at 900, and 24 at 1000
yards ; Lieut. Peterkin, of the Cambridge Univer•
sity, made 25 at 800, 21 at 900, and 20 at 1,000
yards; Lieut. Banting, 11th Middlesex (one of the
selected eight for the International Competition),
made 25 points at 800, 19 at 900, and 23 at 1,000
yards. These were the highest scores for some
time, until Hercules Ross, Kincardine, began to
emulate the reputation of his brother, Capt. Edward
Ross, who made the extraordinary score of 73
points, and thus became the winner of the 2d stage
prize of £lOO. Mr Hercules Ross is one of the
eight who will compete in the International Match
on behalf of Scotland, and if his shooting is equal
to what it has been for other prizes, he will prove a

moat valuable acquisition to the Scotch team. This
prize was won last year by Mr Martin Smith, of
the Victorias, with a similar number.

THE WIMBLEDON REVIEW,

The review of volunteers at Wimbledon on Saturday, the
23d inst. will commence at 5 o'clock p.m. The following
corps (formed into battalions), have received the permission
of the Secretary of State for War to attend .
ARTILLERY:

Total to
be present.
160

The Hon. Artillery Company, 6 guns
let Administrative Brigade Middlesex Artillery

Volunteers, 8 guns ..
3d Middlesex Artillery Volunteer Corps, 12 guns..
2d Surrey, ditto, 4 guns
LIGHT HORSE.
let Surrey and Ist Middlesex Light Horse Volun-
teer Corps -

INFANTRY.
The lion. Artillery Company
2d Middlesex and Ist London Artillery Volunteer

Corps
Ist Middlesex and Ist City of London Engineer

Volunteer Corps
2d Administrative Battalion Middlesex Rifle Vo-

luuteer Corps
sth Ditto, ditto
7th Ditto, ditto..
Ist Middlesex (Victoria) and 36th and 47th Mid-
dlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps
2d Middlesex (South) Rifle Volunteer Corps
4th Ditto, ditto
9th Ditto ( West) ditto
11th Ditto (St. George's), and 38th Middlesex,
ditto
15th Ditto (London Scottish) Rifle Volunteer

Corps
19th Ditto, ditto
21st Ditto (Civil Service), ditto
22d Ditto (Queen's), ditto

28th Ditto (London Irish), ditto
29th Ditto, ditto
37th Ditto, ditto

485
447
212
213

340
370
300
708

39th Ditto (Finsbury), ditto
40th Uitto (Central London), ditto
46th Ditto, ditto
48th Ditto (Havelock) and 2d City of London,
ditto
Ist Administrative Battalion Surrey Rifle Volun-
teers
2d Ditto, ditto
lst Surrey (South London) Rifle Volunteer Corps 263
7th Ditto, ditto
10th, 19th, and 23d Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps 433
2d Administrative Battalion and 22d Essex Rifle
Volunteer Corps ....
Ist City of London Rifle Volunteer Brigade .. 507
3d Ditto, ditto, Corps 352
Ist Administrative Battalion Tower Hamlets
Rifle Volunteers .. 736
2d, Bth, and 9th Tower Hamlets Rifle Volun-
teer Corps .
4th and 6th Ditto, ditto . ...

Total 13,333
War-office, July 20, 1864. M. M`Mußpo.

A Dieppe paper informs us that an English-built
yacht, the Peal, now belonging to a French gentle-
man, has come into that port, and is amusing the sea-side
visitors by exhibiting a nuz.ber of relics from the Alabama,
picked up after the action, of which the Pearl was in part
also a spectator. Among these objects saved is a curious
note book, belonging to one of the seamen, and containing
doubtless for his own interests in the way of prize-money,
a complete list of all the vessels destroyed or captured by
the Alabama. The list begins on the 6th of September,
1862, and closes on the 27th of April, 1864 ; and, curiously
enough, enumerates just 65 captures, answering to the
number of Captain Semmes's chronometers. Soven vessels
are named as ransomed, 47 as burnt, and 10 as sold—and
the work of destruction is estimated at a million sterling.

THE HARVEST IN THE HOME COUNTIES.—Har.
vest operations have now commenced in earnest in the coun-
ties of Middlesex, Berke, Bucks, and Surrey, and within
the next three weeks a great portion of the grain crop will
have fallen beneath the sickle. The dry weather which has
lately prevailed has hastened the ripening of the wheat.
which within the last two or three days has wonderfully
improved in appearance and quality, though in places it has
been much scorched by the sun. Some wheat has already
been cut, while a large quantity of rye is down, the latter
crop being extremely forward in the valley of the Thames.
Barley and oats, owing to the long-continued drought, are
very short in the straw, and are ripening off fast, though
the yield is expected to be rather light. Peas have also suf-
fered greatly from the heat, and a crop below the average
must be the result. With regard to potatoes, though many
fields of the early varieties were almost destroyed by the
severe frosts which occurred late in the spring, no com-
plaints have as vet been heard of blight. The pastures are
sadly in need of rain, and now present a parched and arid
appearance. The fruit crop is a good one, and the trees in
he market sardew are leaded with apples, Plums, 440