The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-31 00:00:00

THE SON, LONDON., SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 31, 1863.

LAW INTELLIGENCE—This Day.

COURT OF PROBATE AND DIVORCE.
(Before he Judge Ordinary.)
COOKE V. COOKE.
The hearing of this case was resumed this morning by
the examination of
Miss Elizabeth Cooke, the eldest daughter of the peti-
tioner, who said—l have resided with my father, the re-
spondent, until within the last few days. I have witnessed
many acts of violence on my father's part towards my
mother. The first I recollect was the pulling away the
chair from under her. I have seen him put his finger into
her mouth and make it bleed. I have known him tear her
cap so that she could not wear it again. My mother re-
sided upstairs by direction of my father. He would not
allow her to come down. He would not let her continue
giving me musical lessons. At dinner one day he threw a
piece of bread at my mother.
The Judge Ordinary—That is an insult rather than an
injury.

Cross-examined by the Queen's Advocate, on the part of
the respondent—l left my father's house on Tuesday in
consequence of a summons from the petitioner's solicitor.
I have mentioned the acts of violence I have witnessed to
aunt, Mrs. Mayo, and also several friends. They took place
eight years ago. I am not going to return to my father's
house,

The Queen's Advocate—Do you not mean to return ?
Witness—No, indeed.
The Queen's Advocate—When did you come to that
determination ?

Witness—As soon as I was able to get out of it.
The Queen's Advocate—What is your age ?
Witness—Five-and-twenty.
The Queen's Advocate—What made you alter your
determination ?

Witness—Because I was unwilling to leave my youngest
sister alone at Seymer. The first time I saw my father
make my mother bleed was about ten years ago. He did
so, however, on m.re than one occasion. Nothing led to
the act that I know of. My father told her to go out of
the room, and pushed her out. On the occasion when I
saw mother on the ground, she never slept in my father's
bed afterwards. I think her life was in danger that
night.

The Queen's Advocate—Did you ever see any miscon-
duct on the part of your mother ?
Witness—No, never in my whole life.
The Queen's Advocate—The fault entirely was always
on your father's side ?
Witness--Always.
The Queen's Advocate—There was no provocation ?
Witness—No, never.
The Queen's Advocate—Have you not been on bad terms
with your father for the last two years ?
Witness—lt has not been my fault.
The Queen's Advocate—But have you not been on bad
terms with your father ?

Witness (with emotion)—l have tried to live happy with
him, but it was no fault of mine.
Dr. Spinks, for the petitioner-1 must have it all out
now, Was not your father's habits, two years ago, that of
intempel ance ?

The Judge-Ordinary—l think you had better put that
question in another way. You can ask what were the
terms on which you and your father have been living for
the last two years, and what was the cause of it ?

Dr. Spinks—Very well, my lord; 1 put the question• in
that way.

Witness—He has always been very unkind to me. He
said I was not fit to live in his house.

The Judge-Ordinary— What was the cause of his siy •
ing so ?
Witness—Because he was angry.
The Judge Ordinary—Nothing else?
Witness—Nothing that 1 am aware of.
This closed the pet tioner's case.

The Queen's Advocate, for the respondent, said he was
anxious, on the part of his client, a beneficed clergyman of
the Church of England, to take the earliest opportunity of
stating that he thought he should be able to show the pre-
sent case was one of the greatest exaggeration, by putting
his client into the witness-box, who would deny it in nearly
all its material points. He was, however, afraid that faults
would be apparent on both sides. Having referred at some
length to the principal points in the evidence, he concluded
by calling
The Rev. Mr. Cooke, who said—At the time I was mar-
ried I was curate at Chelsworth, in Suffolk. In 1838, on the
death of my father, I became entitled to some property, and
afterwards became rector of Seymer. Up to this time my
wedded life had been comfortable. A few years after that
my wife became dissatisfied, because I did not take her out
enough. She also wished me to take lodgings in London
which I objected to, as it did not suit my money matters. I
objected on that score. That led to trifling quarrels, but
not great ones. The principal difference arose in 1850,
when I had the Seymer Hall property left to me. Mr. and
Mrs. Richards came. It was said by Mr. Richards that I
ought now to launch out more—that I was mean not to
do so. The property was no addition to my income, but a
loss, as I had to pay over the rents for the next five years ;
in addition to which I had to pay for repairs. Some remarks
were made at the time by Mr. Richards and my wife. She
has made remarks on the same subject when Mr. Richards
has not been present. The circumstanoe ultimately
led to very material quarrels. After I had been at Sey-
mer a short time I began farming operations. Mrs. Cooke
objected. She used, on meeting me going to the property,
to say, " There you are, going to your stinking farm."
We had constant quarrels at this time. In 1851 or 1852
Mrs. Cooke said she would never have married me if it had
not been for mygood recommendations. She also said she did
not care for me, and that she did not believe that I had as
much money as I was represented to possess. Such ex-
pressions irritated me, and led to quarrels. I also had com-
plaints made to me by the cook about Mrs. Cooke's house-
hold management. The cook complained of the man ser-
vant, and he retorted on the cook. I inquired into the
matter, and I found the female was to blame, as she kept
her comb and brush in the dairy—(laughter)—where she
used to dress herself in preference to going upstairs. I
shortly after found Mrs. Cooke and the cook in conversa-
tion about a piece of meat which, as it was tainted, I ordered
to be thrown away. I afterwards found this same piece
of meat, the next morning, placed with the good. I
paid the woman her wages, took away her keys, and
d'scharged her. Mrs. Cooke took part with the woman,
which afterwards led to quarrels between her and myself.
I have also bad to complain about Mrs. Cooke's conduct
towards the children. On one very frosty morning I found
some of them out in the fields. I said such ought not to be,
but Mrs. Cooke said the children were sent out to please
me, as some carting was going on. I sent for them to come
in. There were other subjects which led to household dis-
cussions besides these alluded to The gardener complained
that he had too little ground to produce the vegetables Mrs.
Cooke required. Mrs. Cooke had complained of my
niggardly habits before the children.
The Judge Ordinary—Let us have the dates.
Witness— Within the last few years ?

The Judge Ordinary—What did she say on any one oc-
casion ?

Witness (after much hesitation)--I cannot recollect the
exact words.

Judge Ordinbry—Who was present?
Witness—My two daughters.

Judge Ordinary—Those that have been examined ?
Witness—Yes.

Examination continued—l have had to send the children
twice to Bilston to pay small bills for debts Mrs. Cooke had
incurred. It is not true that in the winter of 1852 I
rubbed my wife with my hand with so much violence as
to put het to pain. I never treated her with violence.
did not, on the 10th of February, 1853, follow her into her
dressing room and ill-treat her. I once put my hand over
her face, when she bit my finger. (Laughter.)
The Judge Ordinary—Once, or more than once?
Witness—More than once. It occurred when we were
both very angry. I have stroked her down the face, and
said, " Gently," "be quiet," or words to that effect. I
never dragged her across the bed, and kept her in a painful
position. I can't tell the date when Mrs. Cooke bit my
finger, but I recollect it was when she was very angry up
stairs, when 1 believe we had been having words about her
going into Miss White's room. Mrs. Cooke was the most
angry. Her words were very provoking.
The Judge rdinary—What were they ?
Witness—On one occasion, when Mr. and Mrs. Richards
came to take my wife out Mrs. Richards called me a ranter,
Mr. Richards said I was a tyrannical brute, and ray wife
joined in.
The Judge Ordinary—What did she say ?
Witness—That I prevented her from going out with her
friends.
The Judge Ordinary—That was the troth, I suppose ?
Witness—Yes. On other occasions we have quarrelled,
because,l have discovered she made misrepresentations to
me. I recollect going to Colchester in 1854. I returned
with Mrs. Cooke and my daughter. It is not true that on
that occasion I struck my wife with the handle of the whip
on her face. I pointed it at her.
The Judge Ordinary—What part of it?
Witness—. The handle. She kept putting it away with
her hand. I did not strike her with it at all. If the whip
ttoouhcehredwhheureiitnw:tesd by accident. I never pushed her in such
a.manner as to endanger her seat. I did not on that occa-
rnorttryto force my hand into her mouth.
I could get to it to open The Judge Ordinary—Did 3ou use violence of any kind
to her?
Witness—No. I did not in October, 1854, use violence
prepared for Mrs. Cook
erYa—ndWtinhthee:who— what?us
In November, 1854, I recollect her
coming to the bed •
direction to the open door, which
she left.
wla s
certainlylocke and i
d beforegive
servants to have the best spare room
friends, if she did not interofner her return from visiting her
Witness—WithThe Judge Ordi nma
WTehehad some
The Queen's Advocate—
the best room. long was Mrs. Cooke in
Witness—About three or four months.
other conversation 'bout her sleeping room.
that I had the sheets taken off the bed in the little
was because I told my wife that my bedroom :aeroh,ow
er
proper place. I never attacked my wife with such
violence in January, 1856, as to make her scream,

never pushed her out of bed. I never knocked her about
or dragged her along the floor. It was on that occasion
that Mrs. Cooke said she should go to Miss White's room,
and I said she should not. She went, I followed, and pre-
vented her shutting the door, when she threw herself upon
a chair, and there was a great noise. I said she should not
stop there ; it was then that the daughters and servants came.
I said, " I'm going to have this put a stop to," as Mrs.
Cooke should go back to her own room, and not remain in
Miss White's. She did go back. I was dissatisfied with
my wife's household arrangements in 1854, and when
I Took the keys from her, it was because I had
some friends coming to dinner, and nothing had been pre-
pared for them. She used to put up common candles in
the drawing-room when I wished for wax ones. I took
the management of affairs into my own hands. After I had
taken the position at the head of the table from her oh
never resumed it. She then sat at the side of the table on
all occasions. The witness then went on to give his ver-
sion of the arrangements with Mr. and Mrs. Wilde, relative
to the differences that ex isted between himself and wife.
It is not expected that the case will conclude to, day.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

BETTING AT MANCHESTER--FRIDAY.

LIVERPOOL STEEPLE CHASE.
100 to 7 agst Master Bagot (taken and offered)
20 to 1 agst Medora (taken)
20 to 1 agst Jealousy (offered)

CHESTER CUP.
20 to 1 agst Stradella (taken freely)
20 to 1 agst Black Deer (taken freely)
25 to 1 agat Le Marechal (offered)
25 to 1 agst Plover (offered)
40 to 1 agat Caller Ou (taken)

TWO THOUSAND.
4to lon the fibld—offered
14 to 1 agst Pratique (taken and wanted)
THE DERBY.
25 to 1 agst Carnival (taken)
25 to 1 agst Michael Scott (taken)
WATERLOO CUP.
100 to S agst Mr. Spinks' nomination—offered
100 to 7 agst Mr. Worrall's nomination—tkn and off
100 to 6 agst Mr. Blackatock's nomination—offered
25 to 1 agst Mr. Gibson's nomination—taken
25 to 4 agst Mr. Brundrit's nomination—taken!
Even £lOO Mr. Blackstock agst Mr. Worrall—taken

MARKETS—This Day.

COVENT GARDEN.

The supply of fruit and vegetables is seasonably large,
and the trade is in a sluggish state at the annexed quota-

LITERATURE.

Beatrice Sforza ;or the Progress of Truth. By
WilliAm Brewer, M.D. 3 vols. Hurst and

Blackett.

This is a story of the middle ages, and presents
us with some pictures of an exciting period. One
heroine is Princess Mary, the sister. of Henry the
Eighth. The romantic episodes in the life of thie
lady are most strikingly set forth, and thus the
tale combines the truth of historical anecdote with the
interest of exciting fiction. Some of the most
notable men of the age are introduced in an effective
manner. The motto prefixed to the first chapter
aptly inaugurates the work—" Think ye see the
very persons of our noble story as they were living."
We are taken from the English Court and the
presence of Henry the Eighth, %Volsey, and that
assemblage to be ushered into the circle of Louis
the Twelfth and a brilliant array of courtiers. This
was a momentous epoch in the stirring capital of
France, and the author has earnestly studied his
subject, and given us a most glowing account of
plots, designs, dark schemes, and subtle subterfuges.
In those days Courts were not so admirably con-
ducted as at present, and beneath the glare and
glitter, the dazzling display and the shining
exterior, lurked many an act of treachery
and many a scandalous intrigue that sullied the
fame and darkened the lustre of their history. The
sad record of the lives of Queens and Princesses
affords few such bright gleams as that afforded by
the career of Mary. As Duchess of Suffolk she had
a far better chance of happiness than as Queen of
France, and it is refreshing to find the iron rule
relaxed for once, and the tyrannous bondage escaped
from, that fettered Royal maidens to the sad doom
of being betrothed to those they had never seen, and
of whose characters they knew nothing, till the
fatal step had been taken, from which there was no
drawing back. The story turns on a beautiful
Italian girl, Beatrice Sforza, the heiress of a proud
house, who was stolen in early childhood through
the malevolence of a relative, and after many ad-
ventures was taken to France. At a tournament in
Abbeville, Herbert, a brave young Englishman,
rescued her from her cruel taskmaster, and subse-
quently succeeded in taking charge of her until he
placed her in the care of the Duchess of Burgundy.
There is nothing in this young maiden to make a
heroine, except from her situation of peril, and her
inheritance of grandeur, of which she was so cruelly
despoiled. The attendant circumstances of the dis-
covery and restoration of Beatrice are, however,
surrounded with interest and excitement. After
the disappointment of Herbert with his first love,
the beautiful Lady KAte Piercy, it is satisfactory to
find him united to one more estimable than the
haughty English maiden. Ritzow is the character
of the work—strong, dauntless, and unyielding.
He seems like the herald and forerunner of those
brave spirits who carried the Reformation. The
description of the scene where he is summoned be-
fore the dark tribunal of the Inquisition is painful
in the extreme, but yet the prevailing sentiment is
that of admiration. The sublime endurance, the
grand resolution, and the matchless courage mani-
fested by the sufferer, display the attributes that have
immortalised martyrs in all ages, and made glo-
rious the faith for which they laid down their lives,
but which died not in the cruel death of its up-
holders. There is much to attract notice in these
volumes, there are so many persons of rank and in-
fluence introduced into its pages, so much is shown
of important intrigues and the state diplomacy of
an age that universally substituted tactics for
truth, that the reader is put au courant of various
facts that do not often appear in the pages of fiction.
Three countries contr.bute to form the attraction
and heighten the interest of the work. We have
England, with her vacillating impetuous monarch
and her crafty divine, then in the full plenitude of
his matchless power and unrivalled influence, which
has been so admirably pourtrayed by the poet in
these lines :

" In pride of dignity see Wolsey stand,
Law in his voice, and fortune in his hand.
To him the church and state their powers consign,
In him the rays of regal bounty shine."

Next we pass to France, and there meet with
a brilliant company, and become initiated into deep
mysteries of rule and revelry. Then Italy claims
our notice with many most important sketches and
deeply moving incidents. " Beatrice Sforza" has
many claims on the regard of the novel reader, and
although there may exist in its pages too many po-
lemical az guments to suit many tastes, still there
are also numerous striking incidents and animated
scenes to satisfy the requirements of those who pre-
fer description to discussion, and the stir of the
world of action to the strife of the world of thought.

The West India, Mexican, and Pacific Mails.

SOUTHAMPTON, Friday.
The Royal Mail Company's steam-ship Tasma-
nian, Captain Sawyer, with the above mails, arrived
this evening. She brings 67 passengers and specie
of the value of 2,770,178 dols.
The Tasmanian brings dates from Vera Cruz to
Jan. 1; Tampico, Dec. '29; Havannah, Jan. 6 ;
Santa Martha, J 1 ; Carthagena, 2 ; Colon, 8 ;
Jamaica, 9 ; Jacmel, 11 ; Porto Rico, 12 ; Deme-
rara, 7; Trinidad, 8 ; Barbadoes, 10 ; Grenada, 8 ;
St, Vincent, 9 ; St. Lucia, 10 ; Antigua, 11 ; St.
Kitts, 12; Tobago, 7; and St. Thomas, 14.

Her Majesty's snip Rinaldo was cruising off
Charleston, and her Majesty's ship Immortalite was
at Matamoras. At St. Thomas the royal mail
steam-ships Solent and Thames were refitting, and
the Tamar (from Main), the Con way (from the Gulf),
'he Trent (from the West India Islands), and the
Derwent (from Jamaica) were also at the island.
foe royal mail steam-ship Wye was at I3arbadoes.
At Sacrificos were her Majesty's ships Orlando and
Medea, with several French ships of war and trans-
ports. At Havannah were several French ships of
war, including La Normandie (iron clad), and the
United States steamer Wachusetts, with Admiral
Wilkes on board.

Her Majesty's ship Steady sailed on the 6th
January, on the information of a steam slaver being
somewhere on the coast.

The Pacific news is of no importance.
Exchange on London—Bank bills at 90 days,
4901 dols. ; 60 days, 490 dols. ; 30 days, 4924 dols.
Private bills, at 90 days, 4821 dols. ; 60 days,
4834 dols; 30 days, 484 i dols.
DEMERARA.—Sir William Arundell, Knt., C. 8.,
Chief Justice of Demerara, died in Georgetown on
27th of December, in his 67th year.' The Hon.
J. L. Smith, Attorney-general, has been provision-
ally appointed his successor.
JAMAICA.—It is generally expected that, upon the
assembling of the House the opposition will renew
its endeavour to unseat the executive committee.
An early dissolution is therefore probable after the
return of the governor, which is looked for in
March. Coffee has been arriving at market in larger
quantities. All that was offered has been taken up
at 555. to 565. for ordinary. Freights—A vessel
taken for London with coffee at .E 2 12s. 6d. and
pimento at 655. ; one with wood at 425. 6d. for
Liverpool. Exchange on London—Colonial and
Jamaica Banks, 90 days, 1 per cent. pm. ; 60 days,
11 per cent. pm. ; 30 days, 2 per cent. pm.

One of Mr. Millais's contributions to the Royal
Academy Exhibition is entitled the " The First
Sermon," and represents a demure and dainty damsel, some
five years old, seated in an old-fashioned, green-baized-
lined pew of a country church. She is dressed in a brilliant.
rcd cloak, wears a black Garibaldi hat with a bright white
wing in front; has her little hands ensconced in
ase she
brown muff, her feet put before her and crossed
sitting
bright, shallow,
makes herself comfortable, as young lathes
straight upright. Her face gives,
s duty to
expression of
all that was going en.
look, at least, as if she understood
raggedith
outh,
edges of the baize,
yetattention. earnest
eyes,
e is; clearan d
set childish
willh insthoo ton adwf sh theer sex'
From a gnawn hole among
niroal,
the church mouse, looks
that peculiarly necessitous a
day cust üblish d)
um o. to- 37 P e
—ln reference to the meeting of
R- 441% 11
askant
L Av a t
RheErF.
Parliament, on Thursday next, the Law 7tmes
of
to-day (just published) observes—" Beyond the scheme for
altering the Circuits, there is no whisper of any contem-
plated law reforms.
THE STABBER OF REPUTATIONS !—The reaction
against Mr. Kinglake's book has already set in.
The personalities scattered throughout "The Invasion of
the Crimea," brilliantly worded though they be, are felt to
derogate from its dignity as a history,—.The ,leader.

THIRD EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, SIX O'CLOCK.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

CITY BETTING—THIS DAY.
TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS.
4to 1 aget Hospodar (taken)
4to 1 aget Saccharometer (taken)
11 to 1 agst Brick (taken)
100 to 7 agst Michael Scott (taken)
100 to 7 Pratique (taken)
THE DERBY.
11 to 2 agst Lord Clifden (taken)
10 to 1 agat Saccharometer (taken)
100 to 8 agst Hospodar (taken)
25 to 1 agat Carnival (taken)
50 to 1 agst Michael Scott (taken)
50 to 1 agst Pratique (taken)
CHESTER CUP.
No chang.e.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE.
No change.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

THE NAVY.

VALETTA, Jan. s.—Her Majesty's iron screw
troopship Megmra, Commander S. H. Henderson,
returned on the 23d inst., at 9 p.m. from Corfu. She
did not proceed to the other islands to relieve the
detachments there. The order to that effect has
been cancelled, I believe, at the suggestion of the
Lord High Commissioner, on the ground that the
Greeks might see in such a step reason for doubting
the sincerity of our desire to give up the Protecto-
rate. The Megmra brought the following passen-
gers for Malta ; Capt. J. A. P. Adams, R.A., four
non-commissioned officers and men, and one woman ;
Mr. George Marsh, Master, R.N., lately of her Ma-
jestys ship Edgar, to join her Majesty's ship Marl-
borough, and Count Metaxa, midshipman, returning
from leave; also Lieut. F. H. Blair, from her Ma-
jesty's ship Trafalgar; Mr. De Saumarez, mid-
shipman, and 22 men, sick, for Naval Hospital; two
men for Gibraltar; and Sub-Lieut. W. C. Shuck-
burg, 17 naval invalids, Assist.-Surg. J. S. Comyn
Capt. A. G. Douglas, Ist battalion..of the 9th regi-
ment ; Ensign A. H. Luck, Ist battalion, 9th
regiment ; 13 non-commissioned officers and men,
four women, and two children, of various regi-
ments, for England. She left Corfu on the 21st
inst., leaving at anchor there her Majesty's ship
Edgar, Capt. the Hon. F. A. Foley (flagship of
Rear-Admiral S. C. Dacres, C. 8.), and the Trafal-
gar. Her Majesty's ship Chanticleer left that place
on the day previous for Patras, and her Majesty's
ship Shannon on the morning of Wednesday, the
21st, for Missoloaghi and the Gulf of Patras. The
Megmra also brought 17 casks of olive oil and other
stores for the victualling-yard and condemned
stores from the ships. She will leave on Tuesday
next, the 27th inst., for England. The destination
of her Majesty's ship M..gicienne, 16, Capt. his
Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, has been
changed from Italy to Corfu. She left for the latter
place yesterday. The Phoebe, 35, Capt. T. For-
tescue, arrived off the port on the 23d inst., from
Syracuse, and received fresh orders to continue
cruising till the 27th inst., when she is to return
into port. The Marlborough, 131, Capt. W. H.
Stewart, C. 8., flagship of the Commander-in-Chief,
is to go out for a short cruise on the 28th. The
Alacrity, 4, Commander J. Baird, is to leave on
Monday or Tuesday for Beyrout, to relieve the
Wanderer, 4, Commander M, C. Seymour, and Sur-
prise, 4, Commander W. H. Whyte, which are to
return to Malta. There is a great deal of opthal-
mia prevailing just now among the troops iu gar-
rison. The 23d Regiment is suffering most from it,
and the 22d (Ist battalion) and 15th Regiments
also have a great number of cases. Sir Henry
Martin, brother of Sir W. Fanshawe Martin, the
naval Commander-in-Chief, arrived here on the 23d
inst., in the Valetta, from Marseilles.
Yesterday morning a court-martial assembled on
board the Formidable, 84, flagship of Vice-Admiral
Sir W. J. Hope Johnstone. K.C.8., Commander-
in-Chief at the Nore, for the trial of Mr. Henry
Allen Palmer, first-class assistant-engineer of
her Majesty's screw steamer Mars, 81, Capt.
J. N. Strange. There were two separate
charges—that of having on the 22d inst. ab- '
sented himself from his duty in the engine-room, in
the first watch, he being engineer of the watch at
that time; and that of having on the said 22d inst.
been drunk on board the said ship. The Court was
presided over by Capt. T. P. Thompson, of the
Cumberland, 74. Commander Dawkins, of the
Mars, 81, prosecuted. Mr. G. H. Knight, of the
firm of Essen, Knight, and Arnold, solicitor,
Rochester, officiated as Deputy-Judge-Advocate,
and conducted the case. The Court, after remain-
ing in deliberation some time, considered the first
charge not proved and the second charge proved.
In consideration of the prisoner's eight years' good
character, he was ordered to forfeit six months of
his seniority and to be severely reprimanded.

The screw corvette Racoon, 22, 400 horse power,
recently fitted at Chatham dockyard, and since
attached to the first-class steam reserve, has been
commissioned by Capt. the Count Victor F. G ieic-
hen (Dec. 13, 1859). As previously stated in The
Sun, she is intended to convey his Royal Highness
Prince Alfred, who has just passed his first exami-
nation for Lieutenant, on a lengthened cruise. The
Racoon has all her guns and Vie principal part of
her stores on board, so that no delay is likely to
arise in sending her to sea as soon as the whole of
her officers and crew have been appointed.
The Urgent, screw iron troopship, in No. 7 Dock
at Portsmouth. has a large body of convicts em-
ployed upon her, scraping off the barnacles and
other marine incrustations from the surface of her
bottom plates.
The machinery in the newly-erected armour-
plated finishing shop at Portsmouth Dockyard nas,
with one exception, been at length fairly got to
work, and the processes of bending, drilling, and
Planing the plates for the Royal Sovereign turret
ship are now being carried on with considerable
rapidity. The butts of the plates are planed in the
new shop, but the new planing machines for their
edges not being yet in working order, they have to
be finished by the planing machines of the steam
factory. So soon, therefore, as men can be spared
from other work in the yard, the side armour of the
Royal Sovereign may be rapidly affixed. The
manufacture of the massive iron cylinders for her
turret bed does not progress so satisfactorily. The
smith's shop does not possess the necessary mecha-
nical aids for doing such work, and in fact a con-
tract now with the Thames Iron Shipbuilding Com-
pany for the supply of the required four cylinders
would save both time and money.
The following appointments were made yesterday
at the Admiralty :—Commander W. S. de Kant-
zow to the Cygnet ; Hon. Willlam B. Phipps, naval
cadet, to the Racoon ; Edward P. Harper, midship-
shipman, to the Orpheus; John W. Ramsay, Nelson
Byng, Anthony Kingscote, and Alleyne P. Pasco,ter
midshipmen, to the Racoon ; John W.
engineer;
.
f Carpenter,
in in the Firefly, promoted to acting h
William P. Scott, paymaster, to the el
Medina ; C. W.
M'Conachy, second master, to t
master, o
the Racoon ; William
tFheoxß;oyEadl Edward
er .
tt to the
G. Atkinson, second
A. M. Chaffers, assist.-Paym
laide ; Alexander V. Maccaial
, assist-paymaster, to
the Edinburgh; George A. Broad and William H.
Petley, master's assistants, to the Racoon ; Charles
Hervey and E. P. Rimel, assist-clerks, to the Forte