The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-04 00:00:00

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of the hon. gentleman to reduction was on the ground
of the insufficiency of our establishment of troops at home
to meet the requirements of the service for India and the
colonies. If hon. gentlemen had looked at the estimates of
this and the preceding year, and had read the explanations
accompanying them, they would see that the infantry had
not been reduced at all. On the contrary, they had been
increased by 1,000 men. The hen, gentleman said that the
proportion which it was desirable to keep at home Was one-
third of the whole force, so that a regiment might enjoy five
years at home after ten years of foreign service. Now the
number of battalions which we have at home this ?ter is
41, in India 55, and in the colonies 45. That i 3 to say we
have 34 actually at home at this moment, but we have four
coming home from the lonian Islands and three battalions
coming home from India making seven, which will make up
the number to 41; so that there would he 41 battalions at
home and 103 in the colonies. It was true that there would
not be 60 battalions at home, but the committee must recol-
lect that four battalions were exceptionally employed in New
Zealand, and that the force at present in Canada was much
greater than was usually maintained. there. The argument
of the hon, member had gone to prove that the force of in-
fantry ought very considerably to be augmented. Though
the committee might be inclined to agree to a large increase,
her Majesty's Government did not think it would be justi-
fiable to propose any such increase, The principle on
which they had prepared the diminution of the army was
not by diminishing the number of the battalions as units,
but by diminishing the strength of each unit, in imitation
of foreign powers, who, having the power of conscription,
maintained the cadre' of their regiments while reducing
their strength, Tnat was thought desirable to imitate, be-
cause, though we could not compel men to enter the service,
it had always been found in time of war that by increasing
the bounty any number of men could be obtained, In this
way the strength of service battalions, with the exception
of those serving in China and New Zealand, had been re-
duced to the lowest point at which the efficiency of the bat-
talion could be maintained. They had now only 680 men
in the service companies of a battalion, so that no further '
reduction could be made in the numbers of infantry ; but
when they came to look at the numbers of the other branches
of the service, they found the garrison artillery had in-
creased from 4,335 in 1843 and 9,307 in 1853, to 17,629 last
year. By the reductions which it was now proposed to
make that number would be reduced to 14,606 for the pre-
sent year. There seemed to be no sound reason why the
garrison artillery should be kept up to so large an extent.
Unlike the field batteries, they had always been composed of
the same number of men in time of peace as in time of war,
and even now it was only proposed to reduce each batter)
by 15 men, so that they would be left at a much higher pro-
portion in time of peace to their strength in time of war than
the field batteries were. With regard to our cavalry, the
increase of late years had not been less rapid than that of
the garrison artillery. In 1843 our force at home was 7,9-19;
in 1853, 8,690; and in 1863, 12,143. This year, however, it
was proposed to reduce the number to 11,331. The increase
in the number of cavalry had been caused by the raising of
two additional regiments, and the addition of a squadron to
the establishment of each regiment. The addition of a
squadron was called for on account of its having been
found, during the Crimean war, that the field squadron
organisation was not adapted to the exigencies of war. The
efficiency of the cavalry would not be at all impaired by
the reduction which it was now proposed to make. Tho
hon. member for Inverness had stated that the influence
of England had decreased of late years ; bat if such were
the case, it certainly was not owing to any decrease in
the available force at our disposal, for it had, in fact, been
increased by nearly 12,000 men. We also had the militia
and the volunteer force, which m ould set free a large
number of the regular troops, in the event of their being
required for service on the Continent. It should be borne
in mind that the proposed reduction would take place in the
course of a few months by the mere cessation of recruiting,
and it would not be necessary to disband a single man,
With regard to the manner in which the resolution was
presented to the house, he might state that when an altera-
tion was being made in the shape of the estimates, Sir G
‘2. Lewis, the late Secretary for War, came to the conclu-
sion that it would be better to ask the house for a sum of
money, instead of voting a certain number of men. If,
however, hon. members desired vote No, 1 to be framed for
the future in the old way, there would be no objection to
comply with their wishes. As to the native troops in
China, he wished to mention that the reason why they were
not included in the resolution of last year was that they
were not placed under the provisions of the English Mutiny
Act, whereas all troops voted by the house necessarily came
within the scope of that Act. The cause of the increase in
the number of infantry was the New Zealand war. Having
now explained the total sum of the estimates, he would
make a few remarks upon some particular votes. In the
first place, the war in New Zealand had caused an increase
in the price of provisions and stores, and it ha i also been
necessary to hire a large number of transports for the
troops. The vote for clothing had been slightly decreased,
and the vote for barrack establishments likewise showed
a diminution, which was due to a more economical
administration of the barrack stores. As to vote No. 4, he
might state that new experiments which he hoped would
produce good results, were about to be made in the matter
of cauteens, which it was proposed to place under the
control of the committee of officers, and the points, after de-
fraying the expenses of the building, would be devoted to
the purchase of books, periodicals, &c. The new arrange-
ment would, in the first instance, be tried at some only of
the stations in the United Kingdom, but if it succeeded
it would of course be gradually extended to them all.
A small vote would be taken for a gymnasium, which
it was anticipated would tend to improve the health
of the troops and augment their power of enduring fatigue.
Improvements, too, had been introduced in the cooking de-
partment, and one of the results had been a large saving in
the item of fuel. The consequence of the improvements of
the last few years in the medical administration of the army
had been that the health of the troops at home was annually
improving. The improvements which had taken place in
barracks and hospitals had reduced the mortality from 171
per 1,000 to 8 per 1,000; and although this had caused an
increased expenditure, still it was money well laid out. He
would now turn to the votes relating to the manufacturing
department and stores, and would take both together. The
Government had been able to make a considerable reduc-
tion upon these two votes. In the vote for the manufac-
turing department there was an increase of £16,666, but on
the vote for stores there was a decrease of £265,850, conse-
quent upon the large supply of small arms in reserve. The
exertions which had been made for some years to have a
sufficient quantity of small arms in reserve resulted in there
being £lOO,OOO Enfield rifles in store. The increased vote
for the manufacturing department would have been consi-
derably greater, but that a sum of £30,000 had been trans.
ferred from the department to the experimental vote. He
had to state that the warlike stores, irrespective of the small
arms, was everything that could be desired. He now came
to the article of artillery guns, and he feared he could not
give the committee the same consolatory assurance he had
given with respect to the small arms, The committee had
already been informed by the select committee upon ord-
nance how the question stood at that time; and they had
now got the report of the result of the experiments upon the
Armstrong guns. As to the lighter guns, he was happy to
say that they were universally approved of by the troops
in New Zealand. There were some symptoms of failure in
1862, but in no instance had it involved any loss of life.
Further experience had shown that it was an arm which
could be trusted in actual service, and that those guns
possessed great accuracy and power, Besides the guns for
field batteries, there was a considerable number in the depot
at Woolwich, which could be supplied at any moment they
might be required ; and there was also a large number in
the possession of the navy. There was also a large number
of 20 and 40 pounders in the possession of the navy. It was
impossible to speak too highly of these guns. The 20-
pounders were much superior to the old 32-pounders, and
well adapted for field 'works and fortifications, such as those
at Portsmouth, and they were an excellent gun for an army
in the field. It was quite true that the 110-pounders were
not so much approved of as the guns to which he had re-
ferred. It had been thought that above all things this
country should have a powerful rifle gun, and this 110-
pounder gun had been pro uced without mature considera-
tion, owing to the exigencies which then existed. There had
been many objections to this gun, but they were gradually
being overcome--and,amongst other improvements the vast
pieces were now made of steel. Although the 110-pounders
were at present of no material use against armour-plated
ships, yet in many positions they would prove to be an ex-
tremely valuable gun—and almost all the naval witnesses,
although they condemed the use of them as a broadside
gun, still they said they would like to havo a supply in
each ship, and therefore while those guns would not do all
the Government wished, still they were a very powerful
arm. The Government had not yet adopted any guns
which would be capable of doing effective service against
iron-plated ships. The experiments with the 110• pounders
should be a caution to them against going too fast in that
direction, especially as there was no immediate pressure
upon them for adopting any particular gun, and there was
reason to believe that no other nation possessed such a gun.
Although there was an overwhelming necessity for such a
gun, still if affairs should become more threatening, and
if this country should bo called into action,it would be conso-
latory to the committee to know that this country possessed
a good system of rifling, and also a system of construction
of strong and heavy guns, which if not the best which had
yet been discovered, would be sufficient to enable them to
make guns possessing all the conditions which might be
required of them, end strong enough to pierce any target
that had yet been made. The opinions of scientific and
military men were divided between the followers of Sir W.
Armstrong and Mr. Whitworth, and there was a consider-
able difference of opinion and great uncertainty upon this
subject, and it was considered desirable that, before proceed-
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carrying out the experiments. These experiments would
have to be carefully conlocted, and they would extend over
a considerable period c) time ; but he hoped that in the
course of two months the ordnance select committee would
bring the investigations upon the Armstrong and Whit-
worth guns to a close. When they had once ascertained
the best gun for the service, the Government would
proceed with the utmost rapidity with the manufacture,
and orders had ahead' been given to have a considerable
number of cast-eteol blocks prepared. The experiments
which had been made upon the 600-pounder, or 13-inch
gun, were extremely saisfartow.y, and it would be of suffi-
cient power to blow an; ship out of the water. In future
warfare he believed that the shot would exercise as much
importance upon the actual result as the quality of the
gun itself, and experiments had shown that cast-iron
shots were shattered to pieces without injuring the plat-
ing. But great improvements in shot had taken place
during the last twelve months ; and the ordnance select
committee had been assoeiated with the Iron-plate Com-
pany for the purpose cf carrying out experiments upon
the different qualities of steel, and every kind of projectile.
With the view of having cast-steel shot of the best material.
If the Government did Lot possess a perfect system of guns,
it was not the fault of the Government, or of their advisers,
who had been prosecuting the experiments ; but the fault,
if fault at all, was owing to the continual changes in the
manufacture of iron plates and of guns, the whole having
been in a state of progress. He had now gone over all the
items in the estimate to which it was necessary to call
attention; and he could assure the committee that, although
it was a largo estimate, the greatest care and pains had been
taken to frame it not only with a due regard to the effective
state of the army, but also with regard to real economy. If
any hon. gentleman who objected to the amount could point
out how any saving consis ent with efficiency could be made,
the Government would be glad to make it. There has been
a great increase in the expenditure ; but he could assure
the committee that his noble friend at the head of the War
Department was most anxious to make the service efficient,
and also carry out real economy; and with this view in-
vestigations were taking place. He had endeavoured to lay
before the committee the exact state of the army, and he
would now place in the hands of the chairman the resolution
of which he had given notice. (Hear, hear.)
General PEEL expressed himself generally in favour of
a reduction of expenditure, but regretted that it was pro•
posed to reduce the Artillery force by 1,300 men; that be-
ing the peculiar branch of the service which the late Lord
Herbert, with the approval of the house, had laboured so
successfully to increase and render efficient. He hoped that
after the narrow escape the Government had experienced
on the question of the Yeomanry Cavalry that evening,
they would now propose a vote to meet the expenses of the
usual six days' training, as well as of the permanent staff,
A debate ensued, in the course of which the more im-
portant items in the estimates were subjected to close scru-
tiny and examination by Mr. Bentinck, Mr. Williams, Col.
Sykes, Col. North, Mr. Childers, and Col. Dunne. Ulti-
mately the motion fixing the number of men for the service
of the year was agreed to, and the house resumed.
Sir John Lawrence's Salary Bill was read a third time I
and passed.

The Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes (Ireland
Bill was read a second time.
The other business on the paper was also disposed 3f
and the house adjourned.

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1864.

and uneven, and by this means it received injuries
which cauSed its death. The prisoner appeared to
have always preVionsly behaired to the child with
the utmost kindness, and she earnestly entreated
the persons about her to do something to relieve it,
and she expressed the greWst grief at what had
happened. When she was examinee before the,
magistrate she said she was sorry for what has
takes place, and that she pushed the child down in
a moment of passion, bat she had not the slightest
intention to injure it.
The Lord Chief Baron, in summing up, said that
although the case was one very proper to be in-
quired into, it appeared to him to be an illustration
of there being a defect in the criminal code of this
country with reference to offences of this class, be-
cause whether the act was only separated by a very
fine line indeed from the crime of wilful murder, or
on the other hand, was very little more than an
accident, the offence was still classified as man-
slaughter. The jury, however, were the judges of
the facts; and if they should believe that the pri-
soner had no intention to injure the child, but that
for the reason she had stated she suddenly pushed
it down, and that the fatal result was to a certain
extent to be attributed to accident, they would in
that case be justified in acquitting the prisoner.
The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

MIDLAND CIRCUIT.—WARWICK, March 3.
(Before Mr. Justice Byles.)
WIFE MURDER AT BIRMINGHAM.
George Hall, 22 years of age, by trade a stamper
and piercer of jewellery, was indicted for the wil-
ful murder of Sarah Ann Hall, his wife, the crime
having been committed at Birmingham on the 16th
of February last.
Mr. Adams appeared for the prosecution ; with
him was Mr. Buzzard. Mr. Sergeant O'Brien
defended the prisoner, with whom was Mr. Filz•
james Stephens.
The facts of the case were somewhat singular,
and fully illustrated the truth of the saying that
"an ill marriage is a spring of ill fortune." The
prisoner had known and courted the murdered
woman for several years, appearing to be extremely
fond of her, and certainly desiring to marry her a
long time ago ; but it does not appear as if she was
equally partial to him, for she favoured the advances
of a man named Martin Toy at the time Hall was
paying his addresses to her, and for a period of two
years she put off the prisoner's offer of marriage,
though she continued to flirt with him and Toy. At
length she consented to marry Hall, he promising
to take her to a furnished house, and they were
actualiy married on Christmas-day; a circle of
friends visited, 81e., but all did not go "merry as a
marriage bell," and a most unexpected conclusion
was put to the wedding-day by the newly-married
wife refusing to stay with her husband that night.
She went home and slept with her parents, while
he remained at the house of his sister. Next day
she returned, but at the end of nine days she left
him again, stating that she never would go to him
until he could get a home of his own. She kept her
word and the prisoner was left in single blessedness,
tormented with doubts, and mercilessly " chaffed"
by his shopmates as to his runaway wife. A
week or two after he was informed she was at the
Prince of Wales theatre with his former rival, Toy,
and when she came out he demanded her wedding-
ring, and " he would have her earrings or her life.'
She took out a summons against him for threaten-
ing her, but the magistrates dismissed it, and ad-
vised them to live peaceably together as man and
wife. During dinner time on the day of the mur-
der the prisoner called at the manufactory where
deceased and her mother worked, and sent a mes-
senger up to say that a man wanted to speak to her.
On going to where the prisoner was he told her he
was off to Liverpool next morning, and asked her
to meet him at seven o'clock that evening to receive
back the wedding-ring, earrings, &c. She had a
glass of ale with him while this conversation took
place, after which she returned to her work. About
five or six o'clock some one like the prisoner pur-
chased two pistols and ammunition, and when she
came out of the factory at seven they were seen
talking together in a friendly manner. He accome
panied her home, chatted awhile, and asked de-
ceased to put on her bonnet and shawl to take a
walk, stating he was going to get what she and
her mother supposed to be the earrings. They lett
about ten o'clock, and in about an hour afterwards
the report of a pistol was heard, and her body was
picked up by a policeman in the street. She had
received the discharge of a pistol in her cheek, and
he bullet badly shattered the jaw, and lodged be-
tween the cervical vertebra and the spinal cord.
She was only able to say her husband had shot her,
dying after great agony and convulsions. An hour
or so after the firing of the pistol the prisoner went
into a publichouse and asked some neighbours to
drink with him, as it might be the last time they
would have an opportunity of doing so. Upon being
asked what was the matter, he replied, " I have
done it. I have done for my wife. I have shot
her. I had courted her for seven years. I loved her,
we had sung together in the choir; I married her
on Christmas-day; she complained of being poorly;
she went home to sleep with her mother, and in-
stead of that she slept with another man that night,
and the night after. My family have tarried their
backs upon me; my shopmates use me cruelly ; even
the apprentices upbraid me about my wife going
with other men ; my master uses me cruelly, what
could I do? I have done it, and lam prepared to
meet my God for it." A policeman was sent for,
and to him the prisoner also confessed his crime,
having already given up the two pistols, one of
which was loaded, and the other had been recently
discharged. As if the prisoner could not sufficiently
condemn himself out of his own mouth, he said,
when he had up the pistols, " That is the one I
did it with."
The jury returned a verdict of guilty of wilful
murder, but recommended the prisoner to mercy on
account of the provocation he had received.
The Judge sentenced him to death, but gave no
hope of the recommendation being followed out—
and he advised the prisoner to prepare for death.
The prisoner addressed the Judge in a rhapso-
dical speech before the sentence was passed.
CHILD MURDER AT LEAMINGTON.
Ann Heatwell, aged 20, was indicted for the
wilful murder of her child at Leamington, on the
29th December last.
The Hon. E. C. Leigh appeared for the prosecu-
tion, and with him Mr. W. S. Dugdale The pri-
soner was undefended.
The prisoner, it appeared, had been hired at a
"mop," or statute fair, to act as domestic servant in
the house of a licensed victualler in Leamington.
On the morning of Tuesday, the 29th, she went
upstairs to the landlady, and told her she had got
" the spasms." Mrs. Wighton, the landlady, told
her to get some brandy and water and go to bed.
The prisoner did so, and the washerwoman was sent
for to do her work. On the washerwoman going
to the prisoner's bedroom an hour or two afterwards,
she was horrified on discovering that Heat well had
murdered a female child of which she had just been
delivered. From the midst of a pool of blood on
the floor Mrs. Francis, the washerwoman, picked up
a knife, the blade of which showed the bloody work
on which it had been employed. The knife was
one of a number the prisoner had been cleaning.
She subsequently said she had cut the throat of the
child, which was illegitimate. She was no doubt
enctente when engaged at the hiring fair, being
subsequently visited at the Althorpe Arms, where
the child was born and destroyed, by the man who
is supposed to be its father.
The medical evidence was to the effect that the
child had breathed, but that this fact did not neces-
sarily and positively indicate that it had been
" born alive" within the meaning of the law.
The Judge said a child was considered to be born
alive when it had been perfectly expelled from the
mother. That was the distinction the law drew
between the fixtus in utero and the human being.
The jury brought the prisoner in guilty of murder
with a recommendation to mercy.
The Judge then passed sentence of death on the
prisoner, remarking that he was glad the jury had
the courage to do their duty.

WESTERN CIRCUIT.—WiNcr[EsTEn, March 3.

THE CHARGE OF MURDER AT HYDE.
At the Winchester assizes this day, before Baron
Bramwell, Robert Hallett pleaded not guilty to a
charge of wilfully murdering Mary Ann Philps,
woman with whom he cohabited.
Mr. Cole prosecuted, and Mr. Carter defended
the prisoner.

The case against the accused was, that on the
night of the murder he said the woman had been
quarrelling, and he had charged her with robbing
him, having previously used threats of violence to-
wards her. The next morning the son of the pri-
soner on coming down stairs was horrified at finding
the woman and his father lying on the floor with
their throats cut, she being dead. Medical aid was
procurred for Hallet, and he recovered. The defence
was that Philps, who was a woman of very violent
and drunken habits, had attempted first to cut Hal-
lett's throat, and had then cut her own. Evidence
at great length was gone into.
His Lordship then summed up, and
The jury, after two hours' deliberation, returned
a verdict of not guilty.

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