The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-15 00:00:00

The Camp Fire at Wimbledon.

This potent agency was again called into play last
night. The circle, attracted by its social influences,
exhibited fewer Volunteer uniforms than on the
former occasion, many unsuccessful competitors for
the Queen's Prize having since returned home; but
there are still hundreds of Volunteers in camp, and
the place of the absent were more than supplied by
friends of those still remaining, who were attracted
to the scene by the fame of those "midnight meet-
ings." On the former occasion the business element
predominated in the discussion to such an extent
that the gayer spirits voted the proceedings de-
cidedly " slow," and set up the standard of rebellion
against the Master of the Revels for not sufficiently
looking after their interests. Last night they had
their innings and thoroughly vindicated their own
convictions as to the meetings suitable to be holden
on Wimbledon-common. These gatherings are
strangely typical and explanatory of the temper of
the English people. In no other country under
the sun, perhaps not in England very many years
ago, could a similar scene be witnessed. Persons
talk of the license of the Derby—the one privileged
day in all the year, when high and low mingle in
the enjoyment of a common pursuit. It is a mis-
t take. There is no amalgamation at the Derby.
Thousands, no doubt, go there, but the line is as
distinct between those who go in carriages and in
omnibuses, as it is between those who go in omni-
buses and in costermungers'carts. There may be in ter-
mixture—there is no amalgamation. In the Volun-
teer movement, on the contrary, men do, for the
time at least, and as far as is consistent with the
well-being of society, amalgamate heartily far a
common purpose. In the numerous assembly last
night, composed of members of both branches of
the Legislature, their wives and families, officers of
the Guards and the Line, Volunteers in abundance,
in and out of uniform, soldiers and sailors of the re-
gular forces, shoeblacks, policemen, farm labourers,
&c., this unity of intention was every where
apparent. Rational amusement was the desire of
every one, and, though the good liquor of the Vic-
toria Rifles circulated freely, and songs were sung,
not according to any concerted programme, but in
obedience to the will of the sovereign people, not a
word was uttered which could offend a sensitive ear.
A noble lord present remarked that some years ago
he never could have believed that the time would
come when at 12 o'clock at night be would sit on
Wimbledon-common to listen to the strains of a
sentimental policeman, still less that he would do
so with pleasurable sensations. Looking round
upon the meeting in the full light of the fire, inten-
sified by the dark background of the sky, one hardly
knew which to admire most—Lord Elcho's com-
manding figure—the only one erect in the assembly,
upon a slight knoll commanding the circle, or the
tact with which in the least perceptible manner be
contrived to keep everything in the proper groove.
The song of the evening was a new version of the
" Young man from the country,",composed and sung
by a gallant officer of the 20th, who will but too
soon have to mount on aof those " pugrees," or
Indian cap-covers, which the excessive heat has
naturalised at Wimbledon. Every one, however,
sung in his turn, and occasionally the proceedings
were diversified by a request that the vocalist would
propose an appropriate toast. One of her Majesty's
naval servants delivered a lengthened exordium in
praise of the good things of this life generally. To
reproduce it in its integrity would be impossible ;
but its opening ran somewhat thus—" The inside
of a loaf, the outside of a gaol, a pound of beef-
steak, and a pot of good ale ;" and finally, as the
climax of earthly enjoyments, the toast expressed
admiration of " a wife that never scolds." Messrs.
Tomkins, Bedtnrd, and Thornbury, to whom are
attributed the honorary positions of " cook, cham-
bermaid, and sculleryniaid" in the Victoria Camp,
received an enthusiastic reception in honour of their
public services, and the efforts of the police band,
which was universally referred to as the gentlemen
wearing the blue and silver uniform, were also de-
servedly recognised. Pencil and pen alike fail in
suggesting more than the outline of scenes such as
these. Any one who would see for himself what
can be and is accomplished in the way of harmo-
nioms, enjoyable association of different grades of
society should visit one of these Wimbledon camp
fires, which, no doubt, are long talked of at other
firesides throughout the kingdom.

MARKETS—This Day.

MARK LANE.

A very small supply of English wheat was received fresh
up to this morning's market. However, both red and white
qualities sold heavily, at about Monday's currency.
The market was well supplied with foreign wheat. The
demand for all descriptions was in a sluggish state, and the
quotations were with difficulty supported.

Floating cargoes of grain were in slow request, at late
rates.

Barley commanded but little attention, notwithstanding
that the market was scantily supplied. Prices, however,
ruled stationary. Malt was dull, but without change in
value from Monday.
The supply of oats was large. Good and fine corn was
held at extreme rates; otherwise the trade was flat at Mon-
day's currency.
Beans and peas were in slow request, at about stationary
prices.

In all kinds of flour, sales progressed slowly, on former
erms.

ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flout.
English.— 100 - I 1,180 I 50 I 280
Irish.. — 120
•• 2,520 11,130 502 ske

BOROUGH HOP.
We have to report a slow trade for all descriptions of
hops, at about previous rates.

WIIITECHAPEL.

The supply of meat was seasonably good, and the demand
rules inactive, as follows :—Beef, from 2s 6d to 3s 10d ;
mutton, 30 3d to 4s 2d; lamb, 4s 8d to 55 8d ; veal, 3s 4d
to 4s 4d; and pork, 3s 4d to 4s 4d per Sibs by the carcase.

TRICKS HONOURS.—South :—'4 Oh ! don't
give up, Abe; try another trick. I don't mind. I hold all
the honours."—Fun,—[Unlike the Fifth of November
" Guy," described by Mr. Dickens in his last "Uncommer-
cial," as having been trusted to take care of himself in a
City graveyard, while his proprietors had gone to dinner,
the expression of old Abe's face can here be reported on,
because rendered dolefully visible by Fun's draughtsman.
But, as Dickens says of the Guy, "his shrugged shoulders
and his ten extended fingers, appear to denote tbet he has
moralised in his little straw chair (of the Presidency) on
the mystery of mortality until he has given it up as a bad
job,"]