The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-27 00:00:00

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ISPAPER

As the contest at Woolwich adVat,,
remove themselves each day from'th l s.,
Council were enabled to bring the proce'edi. _ to
close yesterday evening. Mr. Whitworth, Mr. Par-
sons, Mr. Baker, and Mr. Bissel were the only mem-
bers who felt sufficient confidence or hope of success
to remain, Mr. Turner having resigned after firing
the fifth round. As the firing did not terminate
until a late hour, the only diagram commuted wes
as follows :—Whitworth, 1.74 ; Parsons, 213 ;
Baker, 2.75 ; Bissel, 2.97 ; and Turner, 2.71. In
refutation of the plea given by the competitors
against the use of the Government rest, Lord Elcho
yesterday stated that on the first year of their meet-
ing at Wimbledon any kind of rest was allowed,
second
diht
year
caloneso
.the s
Ocp
conditions
supplied
eoh
ni own,tsshwi
rder
ye eat
anhrde,
ate
Woolwich, all fired from sbbaee whenmiant
same,
At
linernd.
first
rhtsheht st
Govern-
ment rests, and the same result followed ; and
this year Mr. Waitworth is again victorious,
he alone bringing his omn resf. It may be
appropriately remarked that Major Raiford
made a figure of 10 inches in firing from the
shoulder at 500 yards, and the same rifle was shot
immediately after wards from Westley Richarda'd
mechanical rest, and gave six inches. Whether the
opinion of the members or that of the Council is the
more plausible is likely to be the subject of further
discussion. The mean computation of the first three
rifles at both ranges, as given by Captain Mildmay
yesterday, is this :—Whitworth, 116 ; Parsons,
1.44; Baker, 1.70; Turner, 1.72; and Bissel, PO&
The remainder of the diagrams will be announced at
a later period. Before closing the proceedings yes-
terday, the Council stated it to be their desire to
tender the thanks of the Association to their ener-
getic and praiseworthy armourer, Mr. Smith, who
had so zealously and gratuitously attended the
meeting each day at much inconvenience. Mr.
Smith, gunmaker, London, produced some speci-
mens of granulated powder in round grains, very
much in appearance resembling No. 8 shot, and of
which the members of Council on the ground ex-
pressed their approbation. A number of Steward's
improved rifle telescopes were arranged on the
ground, and were especially patronised by the mem-
bers and the Council. With these telescopes the
bullet marks on the target were easily distinguished
over the long range without the necessity of moving
from the firing sheds. Mr. Steward has presented
three of these telescopes, of the value of 25 guineas,
to be fired for at Wimbledon by the Volunteers, and
has also promised to lend 40 others of hisbest glasses,
so that each sqaad of riflemen firing for the Queen's
prize shall be provided with one for their own spe-
cial use.
One of Krupp's newly-invented breech-loading
guns, on an improved principle, has been under a
severe trial for some days past at Woolwich, having
been fired to what is termed "destruction." The
gun was tested yesterday up to the 100th round, and
each time loaded with 141 b. of powder, and latterly
with a cylinder weighing 1,0001 b., and extending
27in. beyond the muzzle. To the surprise and ad-
miration of the Select Committee and many scien-
tific visitors, the gun, on examination, exhibited no
indications of weakness or blemish.
Capt. Bunce, instructor of musketry to the Royal
Marine division at Woolwich, has commenced his
annual course of firing, with a captain, two subal-
terns, and 120 rank and file.

PRICE..." —..4d.
STAMPED ....sd.

The unalterable determination of the South to be
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ricans if living Americans wait for foreign agencies
to do what, as Christians, no less than as men of
the world, men of business, statesmen, and true
patriots they should do for themselves. The voice
of truculent and crazy fanatics has been heard too
long. It is time for the vice of common sense to
sound above the din ; and, if any portio❑ of that
prieless commodity remains in the country, it will
exert itself immediately, or the Northern States of
America will incur the double danger of ruin i.nd

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