The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-08 00:00:00

smaller vessels. Italy had two built and two build-
ing. He had heard the Spaniards had two build-
ing—but he did not know—and he had also heard
that the Russians had two building. (Slr. Bee-.
croft—Yes, in France.) At all events, we had been
spending £30,000,000 on wooden ships since iron
ships were introduced. For armour plates the finer
kind of iron was not suitable, that required being a
very cohesive metal, brittle and tou h, but which
would yield a little to the blow. He saw that day
in one of their own manufactories, some enormous
machinery being prepared for the manufacture of
these iron plates, and he had no doubt that armour
plates would go on faster than guns. If a five-inch
plate were penetrated they would make a s'x-inch
plate, and by and byea twelve-inch plate, and when
it became known that what was wanted was a tough
and plastic iron they would obtain as much of the
proper quality as they wanted. He did not propose
that the whole of the wooden ships should be in-
stantly withdrawn, but that they should act as the
police of the seas, protecting our commerce, and
that the men upon these small ships should be no
longer soldiers but policemen. He thought no large
war ship should be built which was unable to carry
coals for a voyage of 5,000 miles. He also ex-
plained in an interesting style how the bottoms of
iron ships were fouled by barnacles, &c.
Mr. BEECROFT, M.P. (who was applauded on
rising), proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Scott
Russell for his interesting lecture on the most im-
portant, he might say the all-absorbing question of
the day. They must not forget that most impor-
tant changes were taking place which might affect
the destinies of this and other nations depending for
security on ships of war, and a new era appeared to
be opening before them in the construction of the
future navy of England, All that they wanted was
to make the British navy the terror of its enemies
and the pioneer of civilisation to every part of the
habitable globe. (Hear.) They were deeply in-
debted to Mr. Russell for coming amongst them,
and they could have no better authority upon the
subject than the gentleman who amidst so many
difficulties constructed and launched the Great
Eastern. (Applause.) He entirely agreed with
Mr. Russell that Government had no business to act
as manufacturers—first, because they were scarcely
competent, and next, because he regarded it as an
undue interference with manufacturing industry.
Being a member of the select committee appointed
last session to consider the comparative cost of ord-
nance and materials of war when supplied by Go-
vernment and by private manufactories, which com-
mittee had not yet completed its labours, he could
not with propriety enter into this question, and this
must be his excuse for not having expt eased his opi-
nion as his wishes prompted.

Mr. A. FAIRBAIRN seconded the vote of thanks
to Mr. Russell, which was adopted by acclamation,
and the proceedings terminated.

THE PRINCE OF WALES.

SANDRINGHAM, Wednesday Afternoon.—His
Royal Highness arrived at his Norfolk seat yester-
day afternoon at four o'clock, accompanied by
Lieut.-General Knollys and Captain Grey, intend-
ing to stay here for a fortnight's shooting. The
journey from Buckingham Palace was made by
the Great Eastern Railway ordinary train, and was
quite satisfactory, except the extreme length of
time which it occupied. The train was under the
charge of Mr. Robertson, manager of the locomo-
tive department of the above-named company; Mr.
Sprowl, district manager; Mr. Superintendent
Platt, and the staff; and his Royal Highness rode
in one of the commodious saloon carriages belonging
to the company. The royal party dismounted
at the Wolverton station of the Lynn and Hun-
stanton Railway, and entered one of the private car-
riages, in which he proceeded the rest of the way.
In accordance with the expressed wish of the Prince
there were no demonstrations on the journey, al-
though at most of the stations and gatehouses large
crowds assembled. At the Wolverton station his
Royal Highness was received by a large number o
the tenantry, who, in obedience to his Royal wish,
preserved the most profound silence.

His Royal Highness has to-day, in company with.
Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, Capt. Grey, and Mr. Beck, the
steward, made an inspection of the estate, which is
really a most beautiful one, affording a rich variety
of scenery, and aho abounding with an excellent
stock of game. Tne preserves are well filled, and
some excellent sport will no doubt be afforded his
Royal Highness. In addition to the ordinary game
there is a plentiful supply of wild fowl, woodcocks
being very plentiful.

His Royal Highness intends entering the hunting
field next week. Arrangements are being made
with Sir H. Villebois, the popular master of the
West Norfolk hounds, for a special day, the meet to
be at Sandringham. The day is not yet fixed.
With the enthusiasm with which the Prince is re -
garded by the yeomanry of Norfolk there is no
doubt this will be the largest field that has ever
been seen in Norfolk.

His Royal Highness will commence shooting to-
morrow, according to present arrangements.

THE RUMOURED BETROTHAL OF PRINCESS
ALEXANDRA'S SISTER.—The Nord contradicts in
the following terms the rumour of the sister of the Princess
Alexandra of Denmark being about to marry the heir to
the throne of Russ a :—" We believe we are in a position to
affirm that there is at present no question of that alliance.
It is not the custom of the imperial family of Russia to form
projects of marriage for the Grand Dukes before they have
made their tour in the provinces of the empire, and after-
wards visited the different Courts of Europe. It is only
next year that the Grand Duke Nicholas will commence his
tour through Russia. The august princess spoken of 18
besides still very young ; born on the 26th November, 1847,
she has not yet accomplished her 16th year. By her beauty
and personal qualities she would assuredly justify the choice
of the Grand Duke Nicholas, and the union, if realised,
would be received, we have no doubt, with sympathy in.
Russia. where former friendly relations with the Royal
House of Denmark have not been forgotten."
At the levee of the French Minister of the Inte-
rior, on New Year's day, the Prefect of the Seine
alluded to the decree inserted in the Aloniteur of January
1, relative to the publicity to be given to the discussions of
the prefectoral councils, as well as to the enlarging the func-
tions of the administrative bodies. " Your Excellency,"
playfully added the prefect, growing bolder as he went on,
"Your excellency has given a very fine New Year's gift to
the councillors." The Minister looked slightly puzzled, as
if he doubted whether the prefect was in earnest. " What
New Year's gift do you mean ?" " Why your excellency's
report and the decree accompanying it, which appeared in.
this morning's 2toniteur." The Minister looked as puzzled
as ever. He, however, replied, " Oh, yes—yes; very well."
Some superficial persons present fancied for a moment that
the Minister had not read or even seen the decree counter-
signed by him; and they began to repeat the mot, rightly
or wrongly attributed to the Emperor—viz., that M. Bil-
lault saw all and signed nothing; whereas M. Persigny
saw nothing and signed everything,

A private despatch from Berlin states, on the
authority of letters from St. Peterburg (says the Moniteur
of yesterday), that Russia is on the point of accepting the
candidature of a Bavarian prince to the throne of Greece.
The krance formally contradicts the news that
Victor Emmanuel was coming to Paris for the
christening of his grandson. The day for that ceremony is
not yet fixed, but whenever it does take place the King will
be " represented in due legal form."
FOUNDERING OF Two SHIPS OFF LIVERPOOL.--
A fearful collision occurred off the port of Liver-
pool on Tuesday night during the prevalence of a dense
fog, by which two vessels, a steamer and a sailing ship,
foundered. It appears from the scanty information which
has come to hand that the screw-steamer Liverpool, bound
from London to Liverpool, got in contact with a barque in
the neighbourhood of Point Lynas, the name of which was
at the time unknown. The steamer foundered, and it was
uncertain for some considerable time what had become of
the sailing vessel. The crew of the steamer had arrived
safely at Holyhead. From subsequent information it seems
that the strange vessel was the barque La Plata, Captain
Pearson, which sailed from Liverpool for Lima on Tuesday,
and that she had also sunk. It is believed that all of her
crew have been saved. One of her boats, containing fivo
men, was picked up and brought to Liverpool by the screw-
steamer Athlete, from Cork. The Liverpool was an iron
vessel of 750 tons and 120 horse- power, and was under the
command of Captain Charlesworth. She belonged to the
London and Liverpool Steamship Company, and sailed
from London for Liverpool on Saturday last. The other
vessel, the La Plata, Ni as of 275 tons, and was despatched
by Messrs. 'pale and Tornlinbon, of this town.
Mr. Manhall Wood has received a commission to
execute a colossal marble bust of his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, to be placed in the Town Hall, Manches-
ter, for which his royal highness has been graciously pleased
to express his pleasure to grant Mr. Wood the necessary