The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-23 00:00:00

navy who is riot able to read and write. Now,

appeal to my countrymen to judge what must be the
fft:ct upon the morale of the service when the whole

body of the sailors, with few exceptions, are edu-
cated. men. May we not hope that there will he a
vf.ry great improvement in their social condition,
and a consequent addition to the efficiency of the
'navy ? I am not arrogating unduo merit to the pre-
sent Government when I say it has been their che-
risied wish to improve tne social condition of
ota seamen, for the same object has been zealously
sought by all recent Governments. (Hear.) We
have likewise had to expend vast sums upon the
construction of our ships. Nobody who is not con-

nected with the department of the Admiralty can

have any idea of the difficulties encountered in con-
...idering that which is really the best kind of ship
in these days of transition, with regard both
to construction and to armament. We have

received a multiplicity of proposals from many
eminent men to apply novel inventions to the
build and every detail connected with our ships.
We have given these matters our most earnest con-
sideration, and I honestly believe that we have at
this moment the most powerful steam squadron at
sea of any country in the world. (Cheers.) I rejoice
to see that there is an increasing interest taken by
Parliament and the public in all that relates to mari-
time affairs. The Admiralty, you are aware, have
been found fault with. We are told that our ships
iz)aht to be built of iron and not of wood—that we
ought to construct ships with twin screws; in short,
c favoured with every variety of proposal, and
'u3"ted to every species of criticism on these points.
Well I
assertions
to you and the public not to listen
to ta'a
at the of those who are continually cavil-
cular fort, OGtovernment, because their own parti-
cular
not been ship, or their own particular fancy
course aa, can Pursue
I am sure the wisest
straightforward Pursue is to adhere to the
for eurselaes, andbiter honest principle of deciding
consideration, of that which
is the best form and"
;,lass of ship for the navy. A
friend of mine from
day, " Well, but _why' ?ow said to me the other
you answer all these
attacks upon the naval
anzm.inistration ?" Now, our
officers are naturally
to be permitted to
answer these attacks ; but:oth"
invariable course of
g
the Admiralty is to forbid them
froth
them.
noticin
Oar business is not to enter into
with the Press, or with gentlemen who
controversy
may make
ghat, aun:lvtFaotnwe have
speeches, but to assure the
'1'111114;th:
we desire
is just and ri
to do that which
no other wish than to construct our
possibly; principle, according to the the best
I repeat thatl"3 pos-
sess. (Hear, hear.) oar navy i
whether
the most satisfactory position,
We se
eider the number, the form, or the a,haai:ell-
of our ships, or whether W 3 consider the
strength, strength, the morale, or the physique of their
crews. It is, I am sure, a matter of congratulation,
in days when the horizon is clouded in every 1
direction, that this country should have its navy in
a state of perfect efficiency ; and, without being able
to say what will be the amount of the naval esti•
mites, I believe it is the earnest desire of every one
that such liberal sums should be granted for the
maintenance of the navy as will enable us to keep
is; up in a position which consorts with the honour
and dignity of the nation. (Cheers.)
Alderman BROWN proposed " The Health of the
Borough Members," which was drunk with the
usual honours.
Mr. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN returned thanks in
speech exclusively confined to local topics, and
Concluded by giving " The Health ofthe Mayor."
11l
s ‘,ORSUIP briefly
meat, and
proposed " The Navy, the Army, and the
volunteers," taking occasion
operations
in N to eulogise the recent
Lord ow Zealand and Japan.
e.pacita
the Navy, said_ y, in returning thanks on behalf of
ou, Mr. Mayor, have alluded to
what is now tran
world. you mentioned that one portion of our
in
in New Zeeland, and thatthe suppression of the revolt
likewise distinguishedthemselves another portion have
as-
sure you that the account, in Japan. I
Ne w iialand show that tzhich we receive from
have been enabled to send to small
t force which we
military in the arduous duties thee :zistance of the
in that colony have rendered such :o to per
rviee, by its
great ardour, its endurance, ana its gallantry
action, that the General in command of the troops
there reports that he owes his success in severalrloa-tse
encounters in great measure to its extraordinary
exertions. (Hear, hear.) Again, in Japan our
sailors have been called upon to perform a very