The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-18 00:00:00

Launch of the Arapiles,

The Arapiles, Spanish iron-clad frigate was launched
yesterday afternoon from the building yard of the Messrs.
Green, at Blackwall. Originally the ship was laid down
for a screw frigate, but the innovation of armour-plating
led to the removal of the upper deck and the bringing of the
stern into harmony with modern notions. ,tich, in brief, is
the story of the Arapiles—and if it is thought that the ship
ought to have been in the Pacific Ocean long ago, the
answer must be that the reputation of the Mesars. Green
was not acquired for rapid shipbuilding, but in the slow and
sure manner which the use of timber imperatively enjoined.
Hereafter the Messrs. Green, embarking in iron shipbuild-
ing, will be as active as other people, the nse of iron imposing
no other restraint than that demanded by good workmanship
But the Arapiles, being a wood ship,has not been hastened.
Progress has been made with caution, and the result will
be the addition to the Spanish navy of a substantial, good-
wearing, and long-enduring frigate.

Keeping in remembrance the fact that the Arapiles was
originally laid down as an ordinary wood screw frigate,
that perfection in form which all naval architects are
striving after is not to be looked for. The Arapiles as an
iron• clad is much the same thing as the Royal Sovereign is
as a cupola ship. The most has been made of the Arapiles,
and that most is exceedingly flattering to the builders of the
ship. The Arapiles is in proportions the nearest approach
to the famous French Solferino that has yet been launched
from an English shipyard. But the Arapiles is not a Sol-
ferino, and could not reasonably be supposed to be a Solfe-
rino. Whether the Messrs. Green can turn out a Solferino
remains as yet undetermined. The relative proportions of
the Solferino and the Arapiles are as follows :
Solferino—Length between perpendiculars.. 279 feet
Breadth extreme 55.3 „
Arapiles—Length between perpendiculars .. 279 „
Breadth extreme .. 51 71
Thus there is a mere difference in breadth of 1 foot 3
inches, the Solferino being that broader than the Arapiles.
How then is the mass of both ships distributed ? The fore
frame of the Arapiles is very much cut away below, and
well shaped aloft. The bow is good, so good that the
Solferino would require to be alongside before judgment
were passed between the two. The Arapiles has a fine
entrance, especially below. The after frame has bzen
less skilfully fashioned, particularly above, where the heavi-
ness is unpardonably great. Below the after frame is shapely,
but it is wanting in length to correspond with the fore frame.
The Solferino has no such blemish, the stern frame being
the mere counterpart of the bow. Therefore, as the Solferino
sails well, steers well, and stands up well, there is reason to
doubt the same good qualities in the Arapiles. The middle
body of the Arapiles is well rounded and shapely, so that it
the ship is not fast and does not steer well, good stability
will at least be possessed. The upper stem tumbles home
slightly, and the junction with the lower stem is nicely
rounded. The junction is where the lowest row of armour
plates will be attached. The side is provided with two
armour shelves, one along the wales and the other along
the waist, the armour on the former being 41 inches and
on the latter 41 inches. The sides are pierced for 34 guns,
17 guns aside ; and the ports are only large enough for guns
of the old calibre-6S pounders or 110 pounder Armstrongs.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE.---
to insure its defeat, while Government opposition
Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. given to the measure of a private member was per-
THIS EVENING, a new and original Farce, by Edmund
Falconer, entitled THE O'FLAHIeRTY'S. Mr. Edmund ec y f tl certain to insure its victory." Such can
Falconer; Messrs. G. Belmore, Barrett. Fitzjames, &c.; miss
hardly be denied to be an accurate account of the
Iludspeth, Miss E. Falconer, Mrs. H. Vandenhoff, &c.
After which, at a quarter to Eight o'c ock, Shaksnere s doings of the last Parliamentary campaign, and also
Play of HENRY THE FOURTH (First Part). Mr.Crers
wick ; Messrs. W alter La y, H. Mars on, Barrett, G. Bel more, it can scarcely be said that such is the definition of
G. F. , Neville, E. Phelps, R. Roxby, R. Raynor, &c. M
n Howar 1, Miss Fanny Haldane (Harp obligato to sons a stable Government, or one that can secure the
Chatterton), Mrs. H. Vandenhoff, &c.
_Coors open at ha f-past Six—Commence at Seven. confidence of the country at large. It is a peculiar
feature of this age that so weak a Government can
retain cffice for so long a period comparatively,
but there are many secondary causes which con-
spire to secure their position. Therefore they
and their supporters are able to turn upon
their opponents every now and then, and ex-
claim, "If we are not strong, we are the
only party capable of retaining power!' Mr.
Du CANE'S criticisms upon their career were apt
and appropriate, and there is no occasion to ascribe
his remarks to the ascerbity of party zeal or the
prejudice of a political adversary, for disinterested
obstrvers of any side would vouch for their accu-
racy. "If we turned from the Governments,
position to the Government's politics, their foreign
policy had been described in words which had be-
come at once proverbial and historical as " meddle
and muddle," while their domestic policy might be
equally briefly summed up as " rest and be thank-
ful for the sweets of office." The next argument
of the hon. member against the powers that be was
one of great weight, and perhaps more than any
other really carries force against them, for it bears
an evidence of their want of faith and eager craving
to get into cffice at any cost. Mr. Du CANE ob-
served that the Government had come into office
five years ago, in order to carry out certain liberal
measures which they affirmed that their opponents
could not tackle, but that these undertakings
had all been abandoned. It is true that
Mr. GLADSTONE observed the other day in the
north, that there was not the same excitement now
prevalent in respect to Rtform as formerly ; but no
one heard much of that doctrine when the cry of
" Reform" was useful in sending out the Govern-
ment of Lord DERBY. It was then a case of im-
minent necessity that admitted of no delay, and
would brook no compromise. It may be a satis•
faction to Ministers that they have got into power
and through one thing and another are enabled to
keep in on sufferance as it were ; but they have
obtained this at a dear price. Their reputation is
tarnished efftctually, and no one will ever again
give credence to their assertions, when they
declare that a particular plan is necessary for
the public service, or that any reform is
wanted. Mr. Du CANES remarks on the subject of
Schleswig Holstein were admirable, and exactly
explained the true state of the case. He declared
that the Government might have pursued one or
two different courses to that which they really did
with a better result ; the one which would have
been moat successful and praiseworthy was thus
put forlh. Ministers might have said, " Denmark
is our ally, and we intend to stand by her, at all
hazards; and the very moment that your armies
cross the Eider, we shall send a fleet to Copen-
hagen." Well might the hon. member say that it
they had done this in his opinion there would
have been no war, for Austria and Prussia
would have held back, and their crafty
statesmen were too much on the alert to
provoke a quarrel with England, while France was
hankering after the Rhine, and while Austria was
dreading a revolutionin Hungary and Venetia. It
is satisfactory to hear we are apsaking out so
decidedly on this often misrepresented question,
although it is most irritating to reflect that the
time has passed when the adoption of such a course
might have rescued a gallant kingdom from ruin
have stayed the advances of treacherous and un•
scrupulous nations, and, above all other considera•
tions to ourselves, have been the means of prevent.
ing an injury to the honour of England, and of
setting forth to the world the example of a country
that used its power to protect the feeble and op-
pressed, and considered it never so well spent as in
such employment.

rrHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.-
..1- Lessee. Mr. Buckstone.
Trio EVENING, MADEMOISELLE-DE BELLE ISLE.
Messrs. Howe, Farren, Gordon, Baird, ac. , Mesdames
Beatrice, Ange,, &c.
Alter which, PRESENTED AT COURT. Messrs. Back-
stone, HoNin, W. Farren, Rogers, Clark, Braid, &c• ; 3les-
clawes Snowdon, Griffith, lii 1, Wright, Lovell, &c.
And '3ACCHUS AND ARIADNE.
To commence at 7.

itoYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the sole management of Mr. Fechter.
This Theatre will OPEN on SATURDAY. October 22,
with a New Drama, entitled the KING'S BUTTERFLY,
In which Mr. Fechter will perform the principal character,
The Scenery painted by Mr. William Callcott.
.The Box-office open daily from Elevtn till Five.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. I addy
O'Rafferty, Mr. Dominick Murray.
_litter which, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fi her, D. Murray, J. Nelson, H.
Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma
Barnett, and Miss Rainy Gwynne.

'THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPIII.-
1~ LAN
Sale Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
Novelty and Attraction —Third Week of Mr. John Collins,
the; popular a
limited number of nights.
THIS E VENING, and during the Week (by desire), the
Comedy of THE IRISH AMBASSADOR. Sir Patrick
O'Flenipo, Mr. John Collins (with the song of "The Bold
Soldier Boy"), supported by Messrs. Billmgton, Stuart,
Stephenson, C. J. Smith, R. Romer; Mrs. Billington and
Miss fienrie to Simms.
To conclude with the celebrated serio-cemic Drama, by 5
Lover, Esq., of RORY. O'MORE. Rory, Mr. John Collins,
h soup of The Wi low Machree," and " The Sprig
of ho other characters by Mr Billinton Mr
I..iib‘ns, Mr Paul Bedford, Mr Stuart, Mr Stephenson,' Mr
oJ. sith.; Mrs. Alfred Mellon and Miss Kate Kelly, Sm.
Commence at 7.

110 YA L ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
xranager, Mr. Benjamin Webster.
EMIN2:NT TALENT AND COMEDY.
This popular I.heatre is Open for the Winter Season.
THIS EVENING, UNDER THE ROSE.
At a quarter to 8, Mr. Arthur Sketchley's highly successful
end original Comedy of HOW WILL THEY GET OUT
OF IT ?
Mr. J. Maddison Morton's New Comedy Farce, entitled
WOOD OCK'S LITTLE GAME. Mr. C. Mathews, Mrs.
Frank Matthews.
Those celebrated artistes, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mathews, are re-
engaged. Mrs. Stirling, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews. Mr.
F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, 11r. J. Clarke, Mr. Chamberlain,
Mr. Johnstone, Mr. W. H. Eburne, Mr. H. J. Xoutague ;
Ziss Wentworth.

TOYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, JNLI3IITED CONFIDENCE.
Followed by, at Eight, 3IIL KY WHITE. Messrs. Craven,
stoyle, James ; Mesdames Swanbor,ugh and Mande s.
Atter which, the great Burlesque, THE MILLER AND
HIS MEN. Messrs. Fenton, James, and Thorne; Mesdames
Swanborough, Simpson. Johnstone, Hughes, and Carson.

L'7 MOSES AND SON
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ip MOSES AND SON
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well-assorted
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. M
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Among the many important questions which owe
heir origin to the American war the position of the
British North American colonies occupies a conspic-
uous place. For a long time the condition of these
provinces has been felt to be unsatisfactory. They
are not separately and individually in a position to
protect their exposed frontiers, neither could it be
expected that help from this country could reach
them with sufficient promptitude to save them from
distress and possible discomfiture. It is trae that
the colonies have on former occasions not only
manifested a proper display of martial spirit when
needed, but have shown a readiness to help each
other which has been highly praiseworthy. But
in the case which every one has in mind when
speaking of an invasion of the British North Ame-
rican provinces, there would be the need of a pre-
viously organised system of defence and of a prompt
supply of men and stores to make success certain.
The employment of British troops in Canada and
the other colonies has often come under the con-
sideration of the English press and Parliament
since the outbreak of the American war; sad,
according to the accounts received, the colonists
have shown a very becoming readiness for mili-
tary training. Naturally, from the age and posi
tion of their country, es a young and thinly-
peopled State, they are principally engaged in
the occupations of civil life; but, as we
have seen evidenced by our own volun-
teers, these do not prevent men from ac-
quiring a very fair degree of military training
in the intervals of their daily business. Canadian
life is even more favourable to rifle practice than
English social routine, and our colonial youth are
not likely to want for strength or courage. All that
is lacking in the North American provinces, then, is
that union which makes even weak States formid-
able, and this they are now disposed to seek in a
general federation. It has been proposed that the
two Canadas, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Prince Edward's Island, and Newfoundland, should
form a united province under one central govern-
ment, with a view to the better preservation of their
common interests. It has been suggested that the
Confederation should consist for the present of three
sections--Upper Canada, Lower Canada, and the
maritime provinces, and that provision might be
made for the admission into the union of the great
north-western territory of British Columbia and
Vancouver's island. It is no visionary project, for
the matter is now actually under discussion at
Quebec, and we shall probably not be long before
we hear further particulars. It seems that the
provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick. and
Prince Edward's Island—or as they are ge.. erall3
styled, the maritime provinces—agreed that a con-
ference should be held at Charlottetown, the prin.
cipal city in Prince Edward's Island, to discuss the
project of a union of their fortunes. The Canadian
Government, on hearing of this, requested permis.
sion for its delegates to attend that conference, so as
to invite attention to the larger question of a great
Federative Union. The necessary consent was
readily obtained, and the Canadian deputi(s were
very cordially received at the meeting which tool
place on the let September, as we have said, at
Charlottetown. The. Government o. Newfound-
land was not represented on this occasion, but it
expressed its sympathy with the undertaking and
its readiness to assist in the largtr Conference.

MOSES AND S ON'S
F• Establishments are closed eve-y Friday evening at
sunset until Saturday evening at sunset, when business is re-
sumed until li o'clock.
A.l articles are marked the lowest prices in plain figures.
Any article not apprived of will be exchanged, or the money
returned.
List of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashion
Card, and our new pamphlet, "The Tercentenary; or, The
Three Hundredth Birthday of William Shakspeare," gratis
and post free.

riOALS.—The LILLES HAL [4 COMPANY'S
COAL c_z.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis'.......2ss. per ton. I Double 21s. per ton.
Top 245. „ lle,p ...224. „
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N.
Best Coke
Terms cash.
JOHN EC'OTT, Sole 4gent

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,'
1. Containing the Latest SPURTING INTELLIGENCE,
can be had Every Evening of
G. It GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

THE LATES I' EDITION of " THE SUN"
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HENRY BROOKS, Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-
street, %V.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tats DAY.—Morning, 31.48m.—Afternoon, 4h. 10m.
Xa-moußow.-Morning, 4h. 28m.—Afternoon. 4h. 48m.

„Sun,